Think Affection

True to our teachings, we have structured this course in ways that help promote the very thing that makes us social: Connection.

 

Zoom classes will be held on Saturdays from 11 am MST to 5:30 pm MST with 30 minute breaks; the 2023 dates are as outlined below. The supporting course book will be released to you in chapters two days prior to each corresponding class. While the course book includes assignments, these written assignments are voluntary and can be submitted to us for assessment. However, each class is concluded with a practical 2 to 4-minute video assignment to be submitted within the week.​

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While the classes are taught using PowerPoint, we encourage our students to ask questions and actively participate in the discussions. 

 

The (proposed) schedule is as follows:

(final dates will be announced after enrollment closes)

 

Modules 1 – 3

• The concept of Affective Dog Behavior

• The nervous system & the brain

• The levels of control 

          (the "levels of control" is a term used in Jaak Panksepp's Affective Neuroscience to identify how the brain organizes itself)

Class: February 18, 2023

 

Module 4                                  

The Primary Emotional Systems of SEEKING, RAGE and FEAR

Class: March 4, 2023

 

The Primary Emotional Systems of LUST, CARE, PANIC/GRIEF and PLAY

Class: March 18, 2023

 

Module 5

Social creature comfort

(taking a look at basic Social Neuroscience)

Class: April 1, 2023

 

Module 6

• Helping dogs feel safe WITH us but in THEIR ways

• "Learned Helplessness"

Class: April 15, 2023

 

Modules 7 - 10

• How do dogs really learn?

• The ups and downs of stress

• Oxytocin, endogenous opioids & dopamine

• The Polyvagal Theory (basics)

Class: April 29, 2023

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Final Q&A with group video analyses

Thank you for hanging in there with us during the past few weeks.

This final class is set aside solely for your questions, to discuss ADB as a group and to analyze some of your video assignments as a group.

Class: May 13, 2023

 

Classes start at: 

                                    

 

 

 

 

 

Additional classes: (dates/times TBD)

(1) Diversity Class - required attendance

(2) Role Play Class(es) - required attendance

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Missed classes:

To pass all certification requirements, you will have to attend all scheduled classes, including the Diversity Class and a minimum of one Role Play Class as a role play participant. However, if you have to miss a class due to an unforeseeable circumstance, you can watch the recording of the missed class followed by a 30-minute catch-up zoom session for further discussion. 

 

One scheduled (date/time tbd) Diversity Class will be taught through a 3rd party and included in your course tuition. If you miss this scheduled class, special arrangements will allow you to complete this class at another time for an additional 3rd-party fee.

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Knowledge Diploma students only:

If you have chosen to attend our virtual classes only, all attendance and assignment requirements have to be met to earn the "Knowledge Diploma". Should you decide at a later date that you would like to complete the entire Level 1 Certification Course, you will not have to repeat these classes, but, depending on time passed between Knowledge Diploma and course completion, may be required to attend a specially-designed refresher workshop (at an additional cost).

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Auditioning select individual classes only:

If you are not able to commit to the full Certification Course or the Knowledge Diploma Course, but you are interested in the topics covered in our classes, you can choose to audit select individual classes. At this point, auditing classes will not count as credits towards future course enrollment. The cost to audit is $150 per class, paid in full prior to class.

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