Level 1 - The Human Dog Symbiosis Course

Theoretical Lesson 1

• Introduction to the Tridimensional Training Method (Behaviors – Emotions- Interactions).
• The Well- Being “333”. Understanding the dog like a being and not like a thing. The nucleus and the regulatory framework of the tri-dimensional training method.
• Genetic vs Environment.
• 4 x 4 Theory. (4 types of genetics x 4 environmental pillars).
• Character, temperament, and personality in dogs.
• Adult dog vs puppy.
• Pure breed vs mixed.
• Wild (wolf – fox – coyote) vs domestic dog.
• The dog’s five maturities.

Practical Lesson 1

• Introduction to the basic training tools (reward pouch – kind of the rewards -martingale collar – 6ft leash – 15ft leash – double leash).
• Management of the handler/dog area and security protocols.
• Rules of the walk. Fulfilling dog’s needs through the walk.
• Awareness of body language human and dog.
• Awareness of importance of Socialization and Stimulation.
• Introduction to positive motivation.
• Kinds of rewards. (toys – treats – food – affection – freedom).
• Positive Motivation Control.
• Emotional management and bond building in dog training.
• Communication creation. Setting up the markers (clicker training).
• 1rst Phase of the dog training (mechanical or silly phase).
• Continuous reinforcement vs variable reinforcement.
• Luring – targeting vs molding.
• Shaping – microshaping.
• Trial and error – The zero concept.
• Stop jumping fixed in positive.
• Timing.
• Introduction to basic obedience.
• Repeating vs reinforcing.
• Frontal obedience. Come / Sit / Down / Up.
• Establishing the commands (cues).
• Construction of the training program (repetitions vs sessions).

Theoretical Lesson 2

• General concepts of puppy development.
• Altricial vs. precocial. Importance of altriciality in dogs.
• Important processes in the puppy’s maturation.
• Early neurological exercise in puppies. (Bio sensor).
• 1rst Environmental Pillar. Socialization. (Imprinting).
• Types of socialization.
• 2nd Environmental Pillar. Stimulation. (Myelination).
• General concepts of puppy training. (“learning to learn”).
• Stress management in puppy training.
• Habituation, desensitization, and positive association.
• Firework training (and similars).

Practical Lesson 2

• Recap lesson 1.
• Frontal obedience. (come – sit- down – up)
• 2nd Phase of dog training. (Understanding – smart phase).
• Bombarding.
• Applying the concept of zero in training.
• Place Command.
• Crate training.
• Housetraining.
• The formation of behavioral chains.
• Different kinds of rewards and positive motivators.
• Applying different markers.
• Establishing the stimuli of control (commands).
• Differentiation of the commands (primary vs secondary).
• Understanding and installing commands. Verbal / Hand/ Touch.
• Microshaping, shaping vs chain of behaviors.

Theoretical Lesson 3

• Ethology vs Psychology.
• Ethology applied to dog training.
• Domestication.
• 3rd Environmental Pillar. Bond (neoteny).
• Importance of Neoteny in dogs.
• The Human Factor.
• Instincts – thinking like a wolf.
• Drives (prey, pack, defense).
• Symbiosis vs abuse/parasitism.
• Reinforcements vs charges in the tridimensional method.
• Relationship – bond – connection (external energy).
• Connection – communication – action.
• Fourth balance pillar – obedience, manners, control/self-control.

Practical Lesson 3

• Recap lesson 2.
• The finish command exercise.
• Chaining behaviors by concatenating behaviors under continuous and variable reinforcement.
• Importance of variable intermittent reinforcement.
• Lateral obedience, sit, down, up.
• Place command / crate.
• Stay command, level 1.
• Stay on place. Comfort zone creation.

Theoretical Lesson 4

• Psychology applied to dog training.
• Associative Learning.
• classical Conditioning vs Operant Conditioning.
• The formula E-R-C.
• Ivan Pablov.
• Reflexology.
• Classical Conditioning.
• Classical Conditioning applied to dog training.

Practical Lesson 4

• Recap lesson 3.
• Second phase of dog training – understanding level (the first is mechanical).
• Stay command level 2.
• The 3 Ds (distance – duration – distraction).
• Using the neutral marker – positive marker – jackpot marker.
• Intermittent reinforcements at variable intervals.
• Basic obedience applied to the lifestyle.
• Automatic behaviors.
• “Follow me” – long leash skill.
• Introduction to the Loose leash walking.

Theoretical Lesson 5

• Recap lesson 4.
• Thorndike, Watson & Skinner.
• Behaviorism.
• The Operant Conditioning (O.C).
• The O.C box experiment.
• The simple O.C Cross.
• The O.C applied in dog training.
• The O.C timing. The markers. Clicker training.
• Continuous and intermittent reinforcement.
• Operant Conditioning Applied to dog training.

Practical Lesson 5

• Recap lesson 4.
• Training with distractions.
• Generalization vs discrimination.
• Parasite and surreptitious stimuli.
• Stay command level 3 (self-control).
• Heel command level 1 (comfort bubble).
• Heel commando level 2 (understanding level).
• Stop.
• Automatic sit.
• Automatic phase of dog training.
• Sensation – Decision – Action.
• The rule of 10 by 10.
• Removing the rewards.

Theoretical Lesson 6

• Dogs have feelings.
• Emotions beyond behaviors.
• Introduction to the emotional cross.
• Emotional polarity.
• Emotional intensity.
• Emotional management in dog training.
• Reinforces vs charges in emotional management.
• Behavior – Emotion – Bond in dog training.

Practical Lesson 6

• Recap lesson 5.
• The Recall.
• The bear and cat-mouse exercises.
• The comfort triangle. Combining rewards.
• Recall exercises in home and with different people or family members.
• The hide and seek game.
• Training the autonomy.
• Anchor exercise.
• Trusting exercise (habituation – desensitization).
• Brushing and the hug skill.
• Dog’s Evaluation of so far process under 4 x 4 theory (genetic, and environmental history).

Theoretical Lesson 7

• Annoying behavioral issues vs dangerous behavioral problems.
• Positive Methods of Behavior Modification.
• Habituation.
• Desensitization. (systematic by reciprocal inhibition vs flooding).
• Break the focus skill.
• Simple counterconditioning.
• Extinction.
• Opposite behavior.
• Misbehavior under command.

Practical Lesson 7

• Intermediate obedience, obedience to the distance.
• The heel with distraction.
• Intermediate obedience.
• Combined obedience.
• Obedience with distraction.
• Automatic obedience.
• Heel – Stop – Shaking hands.
• Greeting exercises.
• Heel – Stay – Recall.
• The jackpot reward – adding toys in the process (retriever and prey drive).

Theoretical Lesson 8

• How to develop a training program for private lessons, group classes, and boarding and training.
• Management of the human factor.
• Instruction vs coaching.
• The rule “explain – show – practice – repeat”.
• Understanding the fundamentals of the canine training industry and marketing strategies for the dog business.
• American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Test.
• The Delta Program “helping dogs and the community at the same time”.
• The dog trainer career and professional certifications.

Practical Lesson 8

• Recap of lesson 7.
• Solving issues.
• Halti or Gentle leader training.
• Breaking the focus, Skill.
• Positive counterconditioning.
• Training facing American Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Test.

Theoretical: This assessment consists of twenty-five multiple-choice questions. Approval is required to obtain the certification.

Practical: Canine Good Citizen Test of American Kennel Club. Approval is not required to get certification. (Some dogs are not suitable to get this level through this initial course).

If you have completed the course with your own dog, we are available to assist you in preparing for a real Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluation conducted by a qualified American Kennel Club (AKC) evaluator.

Note: Aldo Cecchi serves as an AKC evaluator for CGC assessments; however, he is unable to administer evaluations to his own students or clients. However, We can set up a test with a neutral evaluator