News

» Go to news main

Extended Learning to offer 12 week animal training course open to all

Posted by Stephanie Rogers on March 22, 2018 in News
Melanie Smith high-fiving her dog Hank
Melanie Smith high-fiving her dog Hank

Those with an interest in animal behaviour and training will be able learn new skills through a 12 week animal training course offered through Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture’s Extended Learning.

The training course, Positive Animal Training: The Science of Applied Behaviour Analysis, has been developed for those with the desire to understand animal behaviour and the use that knowledge while training animals. It provides a one-on-one approach to help students develop the necessary skills to train animals using positive reinforcement.

The course will be offered online over 12 weeks and teaches students proper record keeping, how to evaluate your own training, proper mechanical skills, goal setting and training for success. The lesson-by-lesson structure will offer theory to practice hands on methods.

The course is open to anyone who is interested but is limited to 12 spots. Registration can be completed online and will run from June 18 to September 9. The cost of the 12 week program is $1,446.35. Participants can expect to complete ten lessons over the duration of the course. Each lesson has a series of weekly practicums, readings, discussions, assignments, videos (including critiques), training charts, shaping plans and self-tests.  

Students participating in the animal training course can expect to apply theory and scientific research to practice by documenting weekly progress through record keeping and videos. It will provide students with the training to be better at working with animals both through their jobs and in their lives.

“Possessing the skills to influence animal behaviour using training is invaluable to successful laboratory and research technicians, veterinary assistants, pre-vet students, farm and zoo workers, pet care business workers and many other professions or hobbies including sporting or working animals,” explains Melanie Smith who will be teaching the course.

Melanie, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer & Behaviour Consultant, has been training dogs since the age of nine. In 2012, Melanie graduated from Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture (then Nova Scotia Agricultural College) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture majoring in Animal Science. She is a Certified Canine Massage Therapist and a member of the International Association of Animal Massage Therapists. She is always updating her education and keeping current on the science of animal behaviour and training techniques.

Although canines are the most common choice, the animal training course is not specific to one species. As long as the animal is physically and mentally fit and able to learn, students will be able to apply the theory and practice to a variety of animals. The training techniques will help enrich the animal’s environment and their interactions with handlers, and is a cost efficient way to provide a positive environment for animals and staff. Many participants will use the principles and techniques learned in the course to animals used for companionship, service, recreation, agriculture or research.

Although this is Melanie’s first time teaching this particular course, a similar online course was offered in 2013 through Dal AC’s Extended Learning. The new course is similar but has been updated with new scientific literature and information.

“There is a demand for this type of training as Extended Learning has been receiving calls regularly asking when it will be offered again by people with various animal backgrounds,” explains Ashley Coffin, Program Manager with Extended Learning. “We are very excited to offer this revised course again and are very thrilled to have an instructor with a wealth of knowledge and excellent credentials.”

For more information or to register for the course, please go to: dal.ca/exl