Many
well meaning people advertise themselves as dog trainers. Of
those, some are members of training clubs. In those clubs, a
trainer may come from the ranks of the club membership and their
credential for training may rest entirely on the fact that they
have earned titles on their personal dogs. Although this is
admirable, it does not provide the same foundation for training
as a certification program based on a behavior study curriculum;
supported by work with hundreds of dogs with different problems; and continually upgraded through an
education program based on research
Training Methods vary widely and behavior researchers have
learned much in recent years. Good trainers use a variety
of approaches which are based on an understanding of Operant and
Classical Conditioning. These techniques are tailored to the
personality of the individual dog; the specific problems that
exist, and goals of the handler.
Professional Certification
Dr.
James Akenhead, was issued professional
trainer certification under the auspices of The Ohio Board of
Proprietary Schools. This Intensive certification program
included laboratory experience, classroom lectures, guest
speakers, field visits (i.e. Guide Dogs for the Blind) written
and oral examinations, and evaluation of training methods using both
video tape and instructor observation. The
curriculum also included advanced obedience, assistance dog
training, tracking, and protection training.
Dr.
Akenhead is also certified as an Animal Behavior Consultant,
Canine Division, under the auspices of the international
Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. This organization
has divisions which specialize in most pet animals.
These
certification programs focus on topics such as: Ethics, organization,
legal issues of training,
client relations, kennel and training facility operations,
health and nutrition, breed origin and
purpose, evaluation processes, behavior modification and
shaping, research and problem solving
Formal Education & Accomplishments
In
addition to this professional trainer certification, Dr.
Akenhead holds 5 earned college degrees including a Doctorate in
Education and research and a Masters Degree in Counseling which
includes background in psychology and behavior theory.
Jim
has taught at the university level: has been recognized as
a distinguished graduate of Bowling Green State University: has
been included in 7 Who’s Who Directories; and, with his wife
Charlene, has been recognized as “business professional” of the
year by a local service organization.
For
more than 45 years Jim raised and trained German Shepherds. He
has owned spaniels, retrievers, terriers, chows, shelties,
beagles, and cross breeds of all varieties. Today, he and his
wife Charlene, own Northern Legend Kennel which specializes in
Alaskan Malamutes. In 1995, Jim worked with his son Matt
to form Signature K-9 Services.
Matt Akenhead won his first AKC
title in the 3 rd grade. While in college, he competed as a
mid-distance sled dog racer. From 2001-2004 Matt handled 4 dogs
in 7 national working dog championships and placed in the top
five on 4 occasions. He is a certified professional trainer; one
of the first 4 working dog judges certified by UKC & he is a
certified working dog Decoy. Matt now operates the Signature K-9
Equipment Company, an affiliate with Diamondback Tactical, an
international supplier of working dog equipment.
Dr. Akenhead’s Continuing
Education includes:
Montana Sled Dog Symposium: Training, breeding, temperament,
nutrition, & behavior of northern dog breeds. A gathering of
prominent breeders and competitors to discuss genetic,
nutrition, behavior, and training issues. Helena, Montana.
Canine Behavior Workshop: Identification and Redirection of
unwanted behavior. Focus on: Behavior analysis, counseling. Used
case studies of aggression cases, Dr. John Fisher. Author:
Training the Dog in the Human Pack. Also included discussion of
rehoming dogs and how to make that decision.
Excel-erated Learning: Overview of learning theory;
language, single-event learning (habituation, sensitization and
relevance of commands); classical conditioning (associations),
operant conditioning (consequences of behavior); Behavior
modification techniques (shaping, prompting and fading).
Efficiency of learning (deprivation, timing, reinforcement
schedules, random vs. differential schedules, contrast effects
and conditional reinforces); Also covered stimulus control,
(discrimination, overshadowing, blocking context, reinforcer sampling), extinction (spontaneous recovery, extinction bursts,
partial reinforcement and flooding), Conditioned emotional
responses (fears and phobias, aggression, counter conditioning &
desensitization), auto shaping, taste aversion, aversive control
of behavior (negative reinforcement, positive punishment,
escape/avoidance responding and species specific defense
reactions, and vicious-cycle behavior: learned helplessness.
Pamela Reid, Ph.D. Author Excel-erated Learning.
The Challenging Canine: Cheryl Smith, Classification and
Etiology of aggression. Anticipation and correction of
aggressive behavior. Interpretation of dog's body language.
Recognition of stimuli which trigger aggressive responses.
Examination of sibling rivalry and multi-dog households.
Systematic Desensitization of stimuli which spark dog/human
aggression and dog/dog aggression. Seminar and laboratory on
fighting & biting, related to dog/dog & dog/human aggression.
Wolf Behavior: As Basis for Canine Behavior: Supervised
observation of Wolf Pack behavior at AM, PM, and throughout the
day. Application of observation and research records of
wolf behavior with relevant discussion during daily instruction
sessions. Discussion and available research on Wolf Hybrids;
their genetics, training and behavior. Application of
understanding of the aforementioned behavior to dogs and dog
behavior. Dr. Erich Klinghammer Ph.D., author: Applied Etiology:
Basic principles of Etiology and Psychology. Wolf Park,
Battleground Indiana. Longest study of wolf behavior in the U S.
Canine Theriogenology: Reproduction & Nutrition:
Theriogenology Department, College of Veterinary
Medicine, The Ohio State University 601 Tharp Street, Columbus,
Ohio.
Legacy's International Behavior & Training Camp: Terry Ryan
(discussion and process leader), author: The Tool Box for
Remodeling Your Problem Dog. Topics Included:
Clicker Training: (Operant Conditioning) under supervision
of Bob Baily (Zoologist & Director Navy Dolphin Training Program) and Marian Breland-Baily
Ph.D. (associate of BF Skinner).
Ted Turner: Demonstrations and lecturer on training of sea
animals and birds. Discussion of Sea World's dog training
program.
Turid Rugaas: (Norway). Identification and use of
instinctual canine calming signals to rehabilitate shy and fearful dogs. Also, Heeling the Hagan
Hundeskile way (appealing to the dogs natural instincts).
Dr. Gaille Perry: (Australia). Veterinarian, teacher and
competitor. Lessons on canine first aid techniques (includes
heart, pulse, respiration, signs of stress).
Tellington Touch: Debra Potts, T-Team Practitioner (Oregon):
Enhancing optimal health, behavior and performance. Hands on
practice on how to work with the dogs body to relieve tension
and work successfully with unfocused or easily excitable dogs.
John Nussbaum (Ohio) Exploring drive theory as it applies to
Schutzhund. Learning how dogs use their natural drives in
functions like protection, tracking, and search.
The Third Way: Seminar on handler and environmental
influence on Canine behavior. Focus on trainer as source of
reinforcement (rather than force or food luring) Chris
Bach, Author, The Third Way.
Animal Communication: Beth Lynch & Janet Shepherd: A look at
two-way communication processes with animals. Focus on Behavior,
health, the dying process, and problem solving. Uses intuition
as a vehicle for communication.
Showing Dogs to Win: Nancy and Eric Liebes. Preparing a dog
for behavior in the show ring. Examines movement, training,
anticipation and making a plan, preparation, & troubleshooting.
Hip Dysplasia & Other Orthopedic Disorders: Topics included:
Controversial aspects of hip Dysplasia, opinions about origin
and causes, myths regarding cures and prevention, genetic basis,
prevention or lowering of probability. Process included use of
X-rays to compare various diagnosis procedures and treatment
options, film clips of dogs with and without Dysplasia.
Fred Lanting. Author Canine Hip Dysphasia and Other Orthopedic
Problems & The Total German Shepherd Dog.
Canine Play & Aggression: Sets context for: Opinion,
Controlled Study (peer review), Etiology and Behavior. Discussed
Belief and Bias. Topics: Function of play, interpreting
play, Inter-Dog Aggression, Fear and Aggression, Assessment,
Planning & problem solving. Jean Donaldson, author: The Culture
Clash, Dogs are from Neptune, and Mine. Founder: San Francisco
SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers.
Advanced Canine Behavior: Patricia McConnell, Author ; The
Other End of the Leash. Lectures on relationship of two
different species and the ramifications of that association.
Built on understanding domestic dog nature: included information
from genetics to litter conditions and through training/behavior
development. Ohio Veterinary Medial Association.
Tricks of the Trade: Pat Hastings. Topics: Breeding type,
temperament, structure, genetics; Puppy Evaluation as
related to purpose of breed; Grooming processes; Nutrition and
feeding facts. Supplementation for specific needs; Finally,
Behavior management.
E-Collar Workshop: With the upsurge in various technological
approaches to training and behavior control, this workshop
presented information on use of remote collars. Topics included:
how to evaluate need for use of electric stimulation devices,
how to determine the level of stimulation needed, how to
integrate the education or understanding component when using a
stimulation device. Seminar leader: Fred Hassen. Explored
various remote collars for dogs with special needs.
Dog Behavior and Training, Topics: Understanding application
of Operant Conditioning and relationship to Classical
Conditioning. Included: impact of genetics and understanding
breed intention; breeder behavior and environment, bites,
aggression and behavior modification, Establishing baseline
behavior and Matrix for training, Topical problems and setting
priorities, Managing entire environment as part of training and
behavior management Dr. Ian Dunbar, author, Teaching
Old Dogs New Tricks (and others)..
Throw-Away-Dogs: A discussion of why dogs are abandoned.
Topics Included reasons given for discarding dogs; methods for
obtaining history, typical behavior related problems,
Approaches for management, prevention, and training, Review of
behavior implications from selecting breeding pairs through
adulthood. Also included: evaluation and behavior modification
approaches for rehabilitation and redirection of behavior. Very
comprehensive, insightful, used many video clips to illustrate
concepts. Live cases also diagnosed on site. Dr. Pamela Reid:
Author Excel-Erated Learning. Director, ASPCA Behavior
Division..
Aggression to Children, Adults, and other Dogs: Topics
included: Puppy Development, early learning, environmental
influence, biting, fear, play, food aggression, socialization,
aggression to other dogs and people, destruction,
possessiveness, protectiveness, concerns with children. Used
case study approach. Included audience participation in analysis
of cases, then compared with actual protocols used. Also
discussion of how frustration occurs when dog breeds are not
given opportunity to meet their purpose. John Rogerson, author:
In Tune With Your Dog. Director of Northern Center for Canine
Behavior, UK.
Dog Aggression: Topics included: Aggression as survival;
Management of Aggression; Assessment, Prevention, and Behavior
Modification. Excellent use of actual aggression cases in
controlled settings to clarify issues and solutions. Examples of
control and desensitizing. Participants were involved in
observation and identification of behavior issues as cases were
presented. Variety of types and sizes of dogs. Brenda
Aloff,; author Aggression in Dogs & Canine Body Language.
Click To Calm: Using Clickers along with controlled training
environment to heal aggressive dogs. Topics included:
Relationship of emotions, reactivity and perceived aggression;
confusion of terms; behavior description/focus rather than the
story; determining order of priority for behaviors to be
addressed; establishing structure; clarity of cues; charging and
use of clicker; creativity; developing a management plan;
understanding safe space; aggression directed toward children,
family, other dogs, possessions, food. Included live lab using
aggressive dogs in controlled environment using visual blocking
devices, clickers, and desensitization. Participants observed,
and discussed process. Emma Parsons, Author Click To Calm.
Midwest Veterinary Conference: Behavior Component.
Columbus, Ohio.
Links between Play and Aggression: Topics included:
Confusion between Play and Aggression; Examination of early play
behavior; Solo puppies verses puppies with litter mates;
analysis of play verses aggressive behavior; Reasons for
aggression; behavior signals and body postures; human/dog play;
dog/dog play; games and exercises; humans as objects or
partners. List of evaluation criteria proposed. Karen London,
PhD..
Desensitization & Counter Conditioning: Mainstay of Behavior
Modification. Topics included: Aggression as multifaceted and
context sensitive phenomena; Aggression by motivating force
(i.e. fear, possessive, social, territorial, protective,
frustration, predation, conflict); Assessing risk factors
(i.e. size/damage potential, age, bite history, severity,
predictability, targets, stimuli, ease of motivating dog); desensitization and counter conditioning. Pamela Reid, PhD.
Puppy Development and Problem Prevention: Examination of
puppy development periods (neonatal, transition, socialization,
fear juvenile, second fear, adolescent fear). Prescribed a
Canine Behavior Plan and puppy school format. Andrew Luescher,
DVM, Ph.D. Purdue University.
Fundamentals of Animal Learning: Topics include: Defining
operant conditioning; Using Positive reinforcement; Primary &
secondary reinforcement; schedules; methods, adding cues;
counter conditioning and commanding; classical conditioning;
conditioned negative punishment; types of punishers; conditioned
punishment; and ethics.
Fundamentals of Canine Behavior: Topics include: Basic
concepts in Ethology; Anthropomorphism; Zoomorphism; Hypothesis;
correlation and causation; domestication; behavior development;
evaluation of behavior; genetics; motivation and drive;
temperament traits; innate behavior; Agonistic behavior;
dominance; body postures; displacement behavior; social
facilitation; personal space; flight, distance, and territory.
Canine Body Language and Communications: CD of Seminar from
Midwest Veterinary Conference, Columbus, Ohio. Included:
extensive description of body postures and positions; handling
aggressive dogs in training facilities and veterinarian clinics;
Utilization of safe methods; and Evaluation of Therapy Animals.
Ken McCort, Delta Society Evaluator/Trainer.
E-Touch Seminar: A sensitive approach for use of the remote
collar in training. Includes instruction on how to determine
proper stimulation level depending on the biochemistry of each
dog. Demonstrations on 20 dogs and 22 humans. Systematic
approach to collar positioning, tension, stress assessment,
command cadence, pre and post collar attitude, body language,
determining attention focus of dog, assessing emotional status,
use of long lines, environmental assessment, behavior bench
marking, Integration of behavior cues. Robin MacFarland of
That’s My Dog training systems.
