Level 2 - Mind Minder Course

Theoretical Lesson 1

• Recap course level 1.
• Critical thinking of the theory of well-being 333 and the 4 x 4 theory (genetics vs environment) in behavioral problems.
• Differentiation of annoying problems from dangerous problems in dogs.
• Behavioral modification vs rehabilitation.
• The significance of health as a comprehensive system of tridimensional frame (Behavior – Happiness – Harmony).
• Interaction with veterinarian and behaviorist.
• Common causes of behavioral problems.
• The human factor in the behavioral issue.
• The Distress Theory.
• Management of the situation. Security for everyone above all.
• Evaluation protocol for creating an initial diagnosis (questionnaire).

Practical Lesson 1

• Recap the course level 1 (basic obedience).
• Reading of the stressed and problematic dog.
• Handling of the problematic dog. Security protocols.
• Handler and dog body control skills.
• Detachment protocol, management of proxemics.
• Training basic tools.
• Leashes management.
• Positive motivation control through positive charges.
• Emotional management, bond creation.
• The Happy Dogs Factory.
• Positive charge vs positive reinforcers.
• Positive Motivation Control as well-being 333 test.
• The eustress through Positive Motivation Control.

Theoretical Lesson 2

• Recap Lesson 1.
• Pet training vs behavioral modification – rehabilitation.
• Symptoms vs the root causes behavioral issues.
• Introduction to the Tridimensional Cecchi Methodology, relationship – emotion beyond behaviors.
• The Cecchi methodology as a holistic and psychoetholigical approach.
• Ethology applied to the dogs’ behavioral modification = rehabilitation.
• Importance of the human factor in the dog’s psychological and social needs fulfillment.
• Stress – distress – eustress.
• Fawn – Freeze – Fight – Flight.
• Introduction to the reactivity in dogs.
• The Tornado Effect – Freaks Out.
• “The Ghost Syndrome”.
• The distress and the theory of eustress as a framework for behavioral rehabilitation.
• Importance of Positive Motivation Control in dogs’ behavioral modification and rehabilitation.
• Understanding neurotransmitters and stress hormones, and how external control over these processes can be applied to improve the condition of the canine patient.
• Positive Motivation Control Protocol.
• Positive reinforcement vs positive charges.
• Positive motivation control like an emotional – energetical test.
• Ethology is applied in dog behavioral rehabilitation.
• Domestication – neoteny.
• Symbiotic bond vs abuse / parasitism. Love & Respect.
• Hierarchy vs despotism and subordination vs submission.
• Detachment Protocol – proxemics.
• The human as emotional support for the dog – the shelter concept / the shepherd role.
• Human society and its influence on dogs’ behavior.

Practical Lesson 2

• Recap lesson 1.
• Basic obedience (frontal, lateral, and units of control).
• Units of control and self-control.
• Let it come.
• Positive motivation control as a creator of control units.
• Positive motivation control as a generator of comfort zones.
• The main comfort zones in dog training.
• Exercises in avoidance and escape training.
• Exercises combining forces.
• Emotional management in dog training.
• Crate training.
• Place command.
• Statics vs dynamics.

Theoretical Lesson 3

• Recap lesson 2.
• Psychology applied in dog behavioral rehabilitation.
• The Complex Operant Conditioning Cross.
• Introduction to escape and avoidance learning.
• Compulsion in dog training (avoidance – escape).
• Pebble in shoe syndrome.
• Combined reinforcements.
• Positive base and emotional recovery in emotional management.
• Lack of control – control – self-control.
• Unit of control – opposite behavior – displaced behavior.
• Difference between opposite behavior and displaced behavior.
• Train the answer before asking the question.
• Operant Conditioning Cross according to the Tridimensional method.
• The negative charges.
• Differences between: Compulsion – Correction – Cauterization – Punishment.

Practical Lesson 3

• Recap lesson 2.
• Basic obedience and manners.
• Units of control as opposite behaviors.
• Recap of Mechanical phase and Understanding phase.
• Introduction to the Hierarchical and Automatic phases.
• Combination of dog training phases.
• Obedience chaining and combining exercises.
• Recall, sit, down, up, stay.
• Training under the concept of units of control and self-control.
• Place command or crate as comfort zones.
• Escape and avoidance learning applied to the training.
• Introduction to the e-collar training.
• Learning the concept of opposite and displaced behaviors.
• Stay – place command – crate training.
• Introduction to the aversive tools (choke chain – prong – electronic collars).

Theoretical Lesson 4

• Recap lesson 3.
• Compulsion vs correction.
• Rules of negative charges.
• Types of negative charges.
• The secondary channel of communication.
• Emotional management. Positive base and emotional recovery.
• Genetic and environment in the behavioral modification and rehabilitation.
• Working polarity and intensity of emotions (Emotion Cross).
• The human factor as a dog’s emotional support improvement.
• The shepherd role – shelter concept improvement.
• Other positive features of the negative charges.
• Behavioral cauterization.
• Cauterization vs punishment.

Practical Lesson 4

• Recap lesson 3.
• Basic obedience and manners.
• Automatic behaviors.
• Unit of control as displaced behaviors.
• Place command, crate training.
• Compulsion and correction applied to the training and behavioral modification – rehabilitation. Train answers before the questions.
• Introduction to the habituation – desensitization – counterconditioning.
• Introduction to the simple counterconditioning.
• Laboratorio creation.
• Understanding and training with the different phases of excitement.
• Introduction to addressing issues such as overexcitement, reactivity, fears, and aggressions.

Theoretical Lesson 5

• Recap lesson 4.
• Manners.
• The Tridimensional Method initial protocols in dogs’ behavioral modification – rehabilitation.
• The Cecchi protocols for behavioral modification – rehabilitation.
• Socialization and stimulation issues.
• Generalization vs discrimination.
• Motivation vs stimulation.
• Kinds of stimulation.
• Solving minor issues: jumping, digging, pulling, harassing, escapes, housetraining, barking, nipping, chewing, begging, garbage, doorbell reactivity, etc.
• Systematic desensitization by reciprocal inhibition.
• Flooding.
• Counterconditioning (simple, combined).
• The laboratory.
• The 3 Ds.
• Eustress management in counterconditioning training.
• Statics vs dynamics.
• Importance of communication.

Practical Lesson 5

• Recap lesson 4.
• Manners and advanced obedience.
• The Triangle concept.
• Automatic behavior in front of stressors.
• Breaking the Focus Skill.
• Reactivity treatment.
• Compulsions – corrections – cauterization applied to behavioral modification – rehabilitation.
• Practical exercises on habituation, desensitization, and counterconditioning.
• Controlling emotions through physical contact (handling, brushing, manipulation, and the hug skill).

Theoretical Lesson 6

• Recap lesson 5.
• Fear and phobia – treatment.
• Environmental management in the dog’s behavioral modification – rehabilitation.
• Types of aggression.
• Aggression and reactivity.
• Aggression management.
• Aggression treatment.

Practical Lesson 6

• Recap lesson 5.
• Advanced obedience with distractions.
• Obedience as opposite and displaced behavior under stressors (counterconditioning).
• Firework training (habituation – desensitization – counterconditioning).
• Halti and muzzle training.

Theoretical Lesson 7

• Recap lesson 6.
• Anxiety.
• Separation anxiety.
• Reactivity (dogs, animals, people, objects).
• Stereotypies.
• Pica (coprophagia).
• Gut – Brain Connection. Nutrition and behavior.

Practical Lesson 7

• Recap lesson 6.
• Advanced training.
• Separation anxiety rehabilitation.
• Counterconditioning under realistic scenarios (aggression – fear – reactivity).

Theoretical Lesson 8

• Recap lesson 7.
• The human factor.
• Paths to address behavioral problem work. Private lessons vs boarding and rehabilitation.
• Coaching vs instruction.
• Development of the private lessons program.
• Evaluation – lessons – homework.
• The difference between private class treatment, group class, and boarding and training.
• The Behavioral Rehabilitation Center (basic logistics).
• Boarding and training extreme dogs.
• Boarding vs private lessons.
• Private customers vs rescued dogs.
• Boarding by weeks and long-term boarding.

Practical Lesson 8

• Recap lesson 7.
• Advanced training.
• Advanced counterconditioning.
• Training the human factor.
• Coaching and tutoring.
• Recap of Cecchi Protocols in family and guardian training.

Theoretical:

• 50 multiple-choice questions.

Practical:

• Advanced Exam for Canine Good Citizen by the American Kennel Club.

Additionally, develop a case study on modification and behavioral rehabilitation.