Issue 21 | August 2021

Issue 21 Table of Contents

SHELTER | DOG: Pet Parent Support Network: Creating a Successful Alternative to Surrender Through a Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive Approach by Beverly McKee ACDBC, CPDT-KA SHELTER | DOG: The Dead...

A Tribute to Dr. Pat Anderson

Dr. Patricia Anderson, CPBC, was a much-loved and respected member of IAABC, who sadly passed away on July 26th this year. To honor Pat's contributions to IAABC's Parrot Division and...

By IAABC Foundation Editing Team

Beyond the Cat Tree: Feline Enrichment for the New Behavior Consultant

This guide for new feline behavior consultants looks at the value of different types of enrichment, and offers advice on how to increase clients' willingness to add enrichment to their...

By Amanda Caron

The Dead Dogs on My Phone

Like so many shelter staff, my phone is full of pictures of animals I do not own. Sometimes they’re being cute, sometimes they’re being naughty, sometimes I’m recording a playgroup,...

By Paige Kim

Case Study: Tommy, Fear of Clippers

: How counter-conditioning and desensitization was successfully used to change a 21-year-old gelding's fearful behavior towards clippers. Constructional Approach Training was used as the first part of the behavior modification...

By Trudi Dempsey, CHBC

Pushing ALL My Buttons: Dogs Using Communication Buttons

Lately there have been a lot of videos all over the internet of dogs using buttons to ask for things. The dogs ask to go out, go to the park,...

By Elizabeth H. "Kizz" Robinson, CDBC, CPDT-KA

Pet Parent Support Network: Creating a Successful Alternative to Surrender Through a Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive Approach

While our shelter had always provided post-adoption support to adopters as well as to the general public when needed through both paid and subsidized programs, with the pandemic came an...

By Beverly McKee ACDBC, CPDT-KA

When Cute Is Not Enough: What Behavior Consultants Should Know About Exotic Animal Pets

Summary: Behavior consultants are well-placed to offer advice to clients if they see signs of poor welfare in any of the pets in their home, not just the ones they...

By Camille King, EdD, CDBC,

Does Clicker Training Lead to Faster Acquisition of Behavior for Dog Owners? It Depends on the Behavior

A report on a research study conducted into the relative efficacy of using a clicker paired with a food reward, compared to using food alone. The hypothesis was that the...

By Brian Burton CDBC

The Benefits of Teaching a Parrot Tricks

Living with an intelligent exotic animal like a parrot can be an absolute joy. It can also be quite challenging trying to meet the complex needs of these marvelous sentient...

By Patricia K. Anderson, PhD

Living and Learning with Ozzie: From “Unpredictable” Biter to Accomplished Painter

Shortly before I became a student of applied behavior analysis, a new parrot came to live with Steve and me. Ozzie, an adult female green Quaker parrot (hatch date April...

By Patricia K. Anderson, PhD

The Human-Avian Bond

According to the 2015-2016 American Pet Products Association survey, 6.1 million American households own an estimated 14.3 million birds, making birds the fourth most common pet following dogs, cats, and...

By Patricia K. Anderson, PhD