The San Francisco SPCA Board of Directors today announced that Jan McHugh-Smith will resign as president, effective upon completion of her contract in March 2010. Jan has decided to return to Colorado to be closer to her family and accepted a leadership position with a regional humane society.
My various electronic devices have been beeping steadily and are packed with messages expressing concern about the Academy’s future, and mine. I appreciate your support. I will attempt to personally thank everyone who has contacted me.
I will teach in the October Academy, but will move on shortly after that. You've already learned of Jean's and Janis's plans to continue developing new programs as announced in Thursday's Press release. I'm as eager to see what's next as you.
While the SFSPCA is focusing on efforts to improve the health of animals with the new veterinary hospital, I will invest my time exploring different ways to increase the use of humane- and evidence-based training.
I am forever grateful for the opportunities given me by the SFSPCA, and the Academy for Dog Trainers, Jean Donaldson, and Janis Bradley for the opportunity to join them in enriching the lives of 500 students and countless dogs. With a staff of five including Abby Draper, Gladys Chan, the SFSPCA Academy has been a mind-boggling success.
Teaching at the academy proved our students were the future of dog training. While weekdays were tightly scheduled, Saturdays were not. You shared experiences from around the world, and discussed plans for the future. You thought outside of the box. The lessons of the week gelled. Saturday sessions launched new ideas and improvements, and also helped me improve my own teaching. It was my favorite aspect of my job.
Some have complained that I made you think. That you can no longer look at a commercial or go into a store without reciting the “four questions.” That you apply evidence- based thinking every time you buy toilet tissue.
That’s the best thank you can give me! If I didn’t make you think, I failed.
So, what’s next for me?
My goal is encourage evidence-based thinking everywhere, but most importantly when working with animals.
I will spend a couple of months finishing my book and plan to incorporate it into trainer education.
I may do some behavior consulting.
I am considering going back to school to get some letters to put after my name.
I may visit grads in Europe, Japan, or Hong Kong.
I will revive my stagnant CivilPooch website.
I will meet with interns about various research projects to discuss ways to continue the work.
I will teach Preston and Dax something besides their “drool on knee for food” trick.
A short list? Maybe, but it’s way too much for one person.
As I explore, I will remain in contact and pass ideas and opportunities along. I am available by email to answer questions about training.
I sincerely believe Academy graduates are the future of dog training. I will do my part to make that happen.
I wish to continue the work I began when Jean and Janis invited me work at the Academy.
Thank you.
John Buginas 10/2/2009
P.S. Feel free to forward this if anyone asks who isn't on facebook. I'm also posting it on civilpooch.com.
According to researchers, a dog’s gaze triggers release of oxytocin in owners. Oxytocin is refered to as the "Trust Hormone," or the "Hormone of love."
Researchers found "increases in the hormone level that were highly correlated to “the frequency of behavioral exchanges initiated by the dog’s gaze,” in the Dec. 14 issue of the research journal Hormones and Behavior. They concluded “interactions with dogs, especially those initiated by the dog’s gaze, can increase the urinary [oxytocin] concentrations of their owners as a manifestation of attachment behavior.” (World Science)
Other research has found that "having this hormone "available" during positive experiences, and not being depleted of it during negative experiences, is associated with well-being in relationships." From Oxytocin - the hormone of love.
Lisa Clifton-Bumpass is a dog trainer in transition. She spent 10 years developing her career in teaching group dog training classes, private consultations and public speaking for shelters and rescue groups. Facing career burn out, Lisa happened to see the fruit bat training sessions at the Oakland Zoo and immediately fell in love with the program. She signed up to volunteer in the animal management division for the Zoo. The zoo staff soon learned that she was a trainer and Lisa was put to work helping in the training and behavior modification of several different species. In the past three years, Lisa has gone from pushing a broom and dicing food in the kitchen to coaching and training of several species. Lisa’s background allows her to consult on many levels of animal training, training mechanics, behavior management and research projects. Additionally, Lisa served on the Board of Directors for the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, is the Chair for the CCPDT Examination Development Committee and is a member of the Board of Advisors for Animal Behavior Professionals.
A downloadable version of the Pit Bull Placebo (The Media, Myths and Politics of Canine Aggression) by Karen Delise is available for download. This excelent book answers the questions:
How have Bulldog-type dogs, in only a few decades, been transformed from nationally celebrated heroes to “persona non grata” in hundreds of cities across America? How has thelandscape of America and the mindset of Americanschanged so dramatically in only a few decades? Is it canine behavior that has changed so drastically? Or have we, with our growing ignorance of dogs, become so unreasonable that any flaw found in an individual dog is taken as ample justification for vilifying all their innocent brethren? Have we, in morbid fascination, concentrated so intensely on emphasizing the bad that some dogs do that we can no longer recognize the myriad of good and positive things that most dogs contribute to our lives?
BSL - Breed Specific Legislation - Is your dog safe?
Boston Terriers a dangerous breed?
Drayton Michaels, SFSCPA Academy for Dog Trainers graduate, has produced a short clip highlighting problems and dangers in Breed Specific Legislation. Thes clip is gaining popularity as the movement to roll back breed specific legislation, insurance rules grows. It includes interviews with Nicholas Dodman, Jean Donaldson, and others.
"41 states have communities which have BSL or proposed it. Various insurance companies consider 75 different dog breeds to be dangerous. The Pit Bull dog is singled out as one of the worst. Yet historically, scientifically and mathmatically Pit Bull dogs are safe. How did this happen?"
Contratulations to Alice, Alison, Arnita, Corinne, Donna, Jennifer, Jenny, Lisa, Mikkel, an Sarah. You join the ranks of the over 450 CTC graduates from the SF/SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers in the past 10 years.
Successful completion of projects and exams show you are ready to carry out the SPCA mission as you extend our leadership role worldwide.
Your class joins over 450 graduates who have received the honor of a Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC) since the Academy began 10 years ago.
Impact of our graduates is world wide.
Our graduates have major impact on dogs and communities while contributing to the core mission of the San Francisco SPCA.
“ … to save and protect animals, to provide care and treatment, to advocate for their welfare and to enhance the human-animal bond.”
This is quite a high standard, and I'm certain our graduates are supporting this mission far beyond the walls of out shelter and hospital.
Based on a recent survey of our graduates:
Every year, our graduates help thousands of dogs and people!
Our graduates:
Teach 50 to 75 thousand people in obedience classes attended by about 50 thousand dogs
Work 6,000 cases of aggression and separation anxiety
This represents thousands of dogs saved and thousands of families enjoying a stronger human-animal bond because of your fellow graduates.
Our graduates
Are active in efforts to support dog-friendly legislation and defeat breed specific legislation
Are rising in management of animal shelters
Are in demand at shelters or rescue organizations
Have written several books on training, veterinary behavior
Have regular columns in newspapers
Have regular blogs side by side with Ian Dunbar
Have helped overturn Breed Specific Legislation
Have presented to conferences, medical schools, zooz, and hospitals
Helped 10,000 children in ER rooms
Worked with animal handlers in zoos to provide stimulation and help with animal husbandry. (over 50% of giraffes die during routine dental work because anesthesia is deadly. )
Many are earning advanced degrees in behavior analysis.
Come from Brazil, Russia, Italy, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Canada, Australia, Ireland, UK, and the Unites States.
Many work with little or no support from local shelters in areas where animals are routinely trained with pain, making inroads using the style of training taught at the economy.
The future is in good hands.
Some of you will face challenges when you return home, but you’ve proven you have the training and thinking skills to stand up to those who whisper.
Get out and start working with people and dogs;
Share your gifts, apply the tools.
Continue learning
Question. Everything! Even what we’ve taught!
I hope the Academy continues to educate highly qualified trainers, such as the 10 of you, for many years to come.
p.s. I want to personally thank your for helping me work out details in my attempt to modernize academy instructional techniques.
Improving the way we use Chickens to teach basic mechanics.
Video taping and analyzing the training of each of your project dogs.
Working with interns helping team training. This is an improvement to the internship program AND the academy experience.
Teaching your dog a trick to prove you can design and implment a training plan from start to finish, rather than the cookie cutter plans we start you out with.
Online quizzes to improve instruction and provide faster feedback.
A bomb sniffing dog learned to detect drugs using only tennis ball as a reward.
"That's his drive, he wants that tennis ball very badly. That's his toy and his ultimate award and he loves to have that. If he can find that odor that means he's getting a treat," said Howard.
Almudena Ortiz Cué of C.H.A.C.O Dog Training & Behavior Consulting hosts a free seminar called "Dogs at play."
Almudena will discuss different types of dog play, how to be safe at the dog park, how to manage dogs at play, and how to intervene if play goes wrong.
Wednesday June 3 at 7 p.m. in Berkeley. Free of charge but reservations required.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or call 510-524-1058
What the first day of the SF/SPCA Acdemy for Dog Trainers is like. This is a course segment designed by instructor John Buginas. The academy is directed by Jean Donaldson. Instructors include John, Janis Bradley, and Gladys Chen.
A new session of the Academy starts in July, come join us to become a professional dog trainer.
Chicago, Carmel, Seattle, New york. Nothing close to San Francisco.
From Toptenz: Looking to travel and not sure where you and your family, including your four legged family member, should go? Picking places that will welcome your dog with arms as open as those that welcome you can be tricky, so here’s a list of the top 10 dog friendly cities in the United States.
Shown at right, a San Francisco bay view from Point Isabel Dog Park (best in US) located near Berkeley, in my opinion the best in the US.
Civilpooch trainer John Buginas is focusing on writing for the next few months and is not taking new clients.
If you need a qualified trainer, see the SF/SPCA Academy Referral list on the San Francisco SPCA web site.
John is an Instructor and Intern Coordinator at the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers founded by Jean Donaldson. At the academy, John teaches Learning Theory, Behavior Evaluations, Issues and Ethics in Dog Training, and hands-on practical skills. While attending the academy, John earned his Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC) and graduated with honors. John is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT).
Any CTC grads who want to list their site, provide information about events, or simply brag about accomplishments, send me information and I'll post and link back to your site. Free of charge. I want to hear about books, seminars, conference presentations, magazine articles, blogs, organizations founded, etc.
Any CTC graduate referring a student for any six week SF/SPCA Academy CTC Academy session will receive free admission to a weekend seminar, one-day seminar, or lecture series.
scheduled, Saturdays were not. You shared experiences from around the world, and discussed plans for the future. You thought outside of the box. The lessons of the week gelled. Saturday sessions launched new ideas and improvements, and also helped me improve my own teaching. It was my favorite aspect of my job.
.
Almudena will discuss different types of dog play, how to be safe at the dog park, how to manage dogs at play, and how to intervene if play goes wrong.
that welcome you can be tricky, so here’s a list of the top 10 dog friendly cities in the United States.
Civilpooch trainer John Buginas is focusing on writing for the next few months and is not taking new clients.
