Behavior & Training Resources
For owners of dogs that have been declared vicious, or anyone who would like extra obedience training, please go to our Behavior Modification page for those resources.
At the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, we believe in science, especially when interacting with our pets. We support a Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) approach to behavior modification and training. LIMA describes a behavior consultant who uses the least intrusive, minimally aversive strategy out of a set of humane and effective tactics likely to succeed in achieving a training or behavior change objective. It also requires consultants to be adequately educated and skilled in order to ensure that the least intrusive and aversive procedure is used. LIMA does not justify the use of punishment in lieu of other effective interventions and strategies.
According to the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), “positive reinforcement should be the first line of teaching, training and behavior change considered, and should be applied consistently. Positive reinforcement is associated with the lowest incidence of aggression, attention seeking, avoidance, and fear in learners.”
When looking for behavioral support for your animal, keep in mind that your animal should be treated with compassion and kindness at all times. Aversive training methods – including, but not limited to, the use of physical punishment, shock, choke or prong collars – can have extremely negative side effects and fall out for your companion animal. The potential effects of punishment can include: aggression, suppressed behavior (preventing the consultant from adequately reading the animal’s behavior), increased anxiety and fear, physical harm, a negative association with the owner or handler, increased unwanted behavior and new unwanted behaviors.
Prior to looking for a trainer/behaviorist, we urge you to read the following website: Humane Hierarchy (iaabc.org)
The Santa Cruz County Animals Shelter recommends and supports trainers/behaviorists credentialed through International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) or certified through Certified Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT).
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
Additionally, we recommend and support trainers/behaviorists that have attended the following Academies: Karen Pryor’s academy; Jean Donaldson’s academy; Pat Miller’s Peaceable Paws.
https://karenpryoracademy.com/find-a-trainer/?source=kpctnavbar#!directory/map
https://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/find-a-grad/?geodir_search=1&stype=gd_place&s