The IAABC Conference Tracks

 

The Dog Behavior Track at the IAABC Conference: What You’ll Learn

 

Canine behavior is a fascinating and multifaceted subject, and we’re bringing perspectives from behavior consultants, veterinary behaviorists, authors, geneticists, and research scientists together over our four-day dog behavior track.

IAABC 2018 will have four days education for everyone working in dog behavior. Our attendees are shelter staff and volunteers, dog trainers and behavior consultants at all career stages, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and students, brought together by a passion for helping dogs adapt and thrive wherever they are.

This year, we’re focusing on factors that influence dog behavior, from genetics and early experience to nutrition and gut health, as well as talks on the rehabilitation of working dogs, workshops on aggression, presentations on applied behavior analysis, in-depth behavior case studies, new ways to do consultations and increase client compliance, and more!

We’re delighted to be able to bring a full day of education from Fear Free, which will explore how their techniques for reducing fear, anxiety, and stress can help your clients, their animals, and your business.

Dog Behavior Speakers 

We’re delighted to welcome the following speakers to our dog behavior track at the IAABC Conference:

Dr. Linda Case, Dr. Chris Pachel, Dr. Lore Haug, Adria Karlsson, Michael Shikashio, Dr. Elinor Karlsson, Trish McMillan Loehr, Dr. Marty Becker, Steve Dale, Mikkel Becker, Karen and Bob Deeds.

For full details of their presentations, click here. Our complete schedule, with all species tracks and extra sessions, is here.

 

 

The Cat Behavior Track at the IAABC Conference: What You’ll Learn

IAABC 2018 is bringing four days of feline behavior content to our conference this year. Cat behavior consulting is a growing field, and our conference is aiming to bring a combination of practical information to help your feline behavior practice grow alongside the latest in science-based training and behavior modification, and best practices for working with particularly challenging types of cases.

 

A Closer Look at Cat Behavior at IAABC 2018

 

The first day of IAABC 2018 is our first-ever partnership with Fear Free. This initiative, which started in the veterinary world but now extends to everyone involved with animal care, teaches handling techniques to minimize an animal’s fear, anxiety, and stress.

 

We’re dedicating Day 2 of the conference to understanding more about the intersection of behavior and veterinary medicine when it comes to managing challenging cat behavior. The morning sessions kick off with veterinary behaviorist Dr. Chris Pachel’s talk on feline medical compounders, followed by Adria Karlsson’s discussion of how to weave applied behavior analysis into your behavior work. In the afternoon, Dr. Lynn Seibert will be presenting on two topics: how to approach overgrooming, and the behavioral, environmental, and medical management of aging cats.

 

Feline behavior highlights on Day 3 include in-depth discussions of cat case studies from veterinary behaviorist Dr. Lore Haug, as well as presentations on the practical side of consulting in feline behavior and on how to encourage clients to follow through with your advice.

 

Our final day is another full program of cat behavior content, starting with our Shelter Division co-chair Katenna Jones presentation on working with shelter cats. Katenna returns later in the afternoon with a talk about remote consultations for cat behavior consultants—a valuable potential addition to in-person visits, especially for consultants located away from large urban areas.

 

For full details of all the presentations at IAABC 2018, click here. Our complete schedule, with all species tracks and extra sessions, is here.

 
 

The Parrot Behavior Track at IAABC 2018: What You’ll Learn

 

Companion birds are the third most popular pet in American households, yet the number of people specializing in the management and modification of bird behavior problems is far lower than for cats or dogs. We’re dedicated to helping pets of all species thrive, so we’re delighted to bring two full days of avian behavior education to our conference this year, in addition to a full program of content for people working with all species.

 

The first day of our Parrot Track features Parrot Division Co-chair Stephanie Edlund presenting on how to work with anxious birds, and how to use a learning theory-based approach promote healthy feeding behaviors as well as a species-appropriate diet in birds that are “finnicky.” Earlier in the day, Dr. Chris Pachel will be giving a talk on how behavior professionals can increase client compliance.

 

Day 2 will start with Pam Clark discussing real-life case studies in avian behavior, and talking about how she became a parrot behavior consultant. In the afternoon, Stephanie Edlund will return to talk about developing strategies for parrots with feather-destructive behavior, and about strategies for enrichment that are based on sound ethological knowledge. There will also be presentations on remote behavior consultations and how to get the best information from the client intake process; all to help established and aspiring avian behavior consultants improve their skills and grow their business.

 

For full details of all the presentations at IAABC 2018, click here. Our complete schedule, with all species tracks and extra sessions, is here.