If Dogs Could Talk:

Skinner’s Verbal Behavior and What it Means for your Dog

 
 

Verbal behavior is much more than using words, and goes far beyond using buttons to communicate! Join us to learn about what verbal behavior really is, whether and how your dog is already using it, and how to help expand their repertoire - and yours! - to strengthen your relationship and understanding of each other.

Where: From the comfort of your home via live Zoom sessions

When: Spring 2025 dates TBD

What: Learning Objectives:

  1. Define stimulus control

  2. Define verbal behavior

  3. Name, define, and give an example of the verbal operants (mand, tact, echoic/mimetic, intraverbal, listener responding)

  4. Describe some ways that your dog mands and what she mands for (e.g., dog body language and functions of behavior)

  5. Identify the controlling variables for an instance of verbal behavior

  6. List reasons that a dog may or may not be able to emit one of the elementary verbal operants (i.e., mand, tact, echoic, intraverbal)

  7. Describe how physical buttons, default behaviors, and other behaviors function as mands

  8. Describe some problems with how people are using physical buttons to teach their dog to communicate

Cost: $395 for general enrollment; 1 free spot for a BIPOC student in each cohort, and a set number of sliding scale spots are available as well.

CEUs: Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are provided for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).

 

Who should sign up for this course, according to the people who have taken it:

  • “Someone who thinks about communication between dogs and humans. I would tell them that this course is very fun! Ran and Stephanie brought up great talking points and explain with clarity the basics of verbal behavior.” - Sarah R.

  • “Anyone interested in learning more about verbal operants and dog communication should enjoy this course. I think geeky pet owners would benefit from a deeper understanding that their pet’s language/communication is operant behavior following the ABCs like any other behavior. I also think ABA students who don’t necessarily work with animals would benefit from this more expansive and nuanced perspective of what communication potentially is.” - Sarah O.

  • “Anyone who has a genuine interest in dog behavior from trainers to dog guardians looking to do something fun.” - Andrea B.

 

What people are saying:

  • “I took animal behavior classes in college, but this really refreshed it all and taught me much more. Our dogs are “speaking” with us the best they know how / we can interpret.” - Andrea B.

  • “I loved the effort, energy, support, and enthusiasm of Stephanie and Ran. It was 100% clear they cared that all participants had a good experience, that they were committed to creating a safe space for learning, and that they were passionate about the subject themselves.” - Sarah O.

  • “I loved being able to think about questions related to dogs, behavior, and ethics in a group setting.” - Sarah R.