Buffalo, NY - Students at Canisius University are gaining valuable hands-on experience training dogs through the Applied Dog Behavior course (ABEC 320/320L), part of the school's innovative Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation (ABEC) program.
In the laboratory component of the course, students work directly with dogs owned by faculty, staff, students, and community members to implement humane, positive reinforcement-based training methods. The training exercises focus on building connections between handlers and dogs while teaching practical skills like settling on mats, leash walking, and impulse control. Students then develop individualized training plans tailored to their assigned dog and communicate with the animal's guardian about continuing the training at home, creating a comprehensive learning experience that benefits both students and pets.
"This experiential learning opportunity allows students to understand dog behavior while practicing modern ethical training techniques that foster cooperative relationships between humans and their canine companions," said Maura Tyrrell, PhD, experiential learning coordinator for ABEC. "These practical experiences benefit students pursuing careers in dog training, companion animal fields, and animal behavior consulting in zoos, aquariums and sanctuaries, all while contributing to animal welfare efforts."
The ABEC program at Canisius University, established in 2009, was the first in the country to formally integrate moral and ethical considerations regarding animal welfare and wildlife conservation into its curriculum. The program emphasizes active, hands-on learning starting in students' first year. Beyond dog training, ABEC students can participate in diverse experiential opportunities, including training foster kittens in the campus Animal Learning Lab, collaborating with zoos and sanctuaries, studying endangered wildlife in natural ecosystems, and conducting research with faculty on topics ranging from captive wildlife to the human-animal bond.
