"Public spaces present unique challenges for dogs, but they also offer opportunities to cultivate autonomy, confidence, and well-being. This presentation explores the critical role of choice and agency in canine behaviour, revealing how these principles can transform our approach to navigating urban environments successfully. Delving into the foundations of skill building, we’ll discuss how predictability and practiced behaviours equip dogs to make thoughtful, favourable choices. You’ll discover how tools like DRO and DRL/DRH can promote resilience and enhance adaptability, even within the constraints of leashes or busy settings. Through practical strategies, we’ll explore how to create behavioural options that meet dogs’ needs for both tangible reinforcers and inherently valuable experiences, fostering problem-solving skills and trust. Real-world examples will highlight how these techniques can empower dogs, improving not only their experiences but also the harmony of human-dog interactions in shared spaces. By the end, you’ll have actionable insights to incorporate choice and agency into your behaviour practices."

Sponsor:IAABC Foundation
Speaker(s):Erin Jones, BSc (Hons.), MSc, PhD, CPDT-KA, IAABC-ADT, CDBC

Contact:
 Email: questions@iaabcfoundation.org
 Web: https://iaabcfoundation.org/animal-behavior-conference/