![[EN] CAAWT Webinar.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/55b531_d81439f1c42541f49eff1951ae8c5be7~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_272,h_122,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/%5BEN%5D%20CAAWT%20Webinar.png)
An Introduction to Constructional Approach:
Building Mutually Enjoyable Relationships Between Animals and Humans
When living with animals, have you ever thought, “Hmm.. this behavior is a little challenging for me,” or "I don’t know what to do with this behavior.”
When we encounter behaviors that we find problematic or troublesome, how should we think about them and approach them?
In order to solve problematic behaviors and achieve the kind of relationship and lifestyle we want with our animals, what can we do in our training and daily living that is ethical and effective?
When encountering problematic behaviors, there are two approaches.
First approach:
This approach views undesirable behavior as a problem itself. Since the behavior is a problem, the behavior must be eliminated. With this approach, the focus is on eliminating, reducing, or stopping the undesirable behavior, without considering why the animal engages in the behavior or what the animal wants from that behavior.
Second approach:
This approach views undesirable behavior as a symptom that the animal needs to learn a better and more desirable behavior to get something they really need. Since the animal does not know or cannot do the better and more desirable behaviors, we will build these desirable and easy-to-do behaviors together. With this approach, the focus is to understand why the animal engages in the undesirable behavior and what the animal wants from that behavior. Once we understand what the animal wants, we focus on building behaviors that are desirable for both the animal and the human.
As you can see, how we view the undesirable behavior can change everything, from training goals and what kind of training technique to use, how to apply them, and how to live with animals!
The second approach is called the “Constructional Approach” (Goldiamond, 1974/2002; Layng et al., 2022). Sean and Maasa from CAAWT use the constructional approach and apply it to working with shelter dogs, training, and living with animals. The educational content CAAWT offers, such as CAAWT membership and online classes, is based on this approach.
We value the constructional approach of understanding what the animal wants from the undesirable behaviors, and not withholding what the animals want, but valuing what they want and using it to build the kinds of behavior that are mutually enjoyable for both animals and humans.
Webinar Description
The Constructional Approach focuses on how to build desirable behaviors, rather than how to stop, reduce, or eliminate the undesirable behaviors. In this webinar, Sean and Maasa will explain the basic concepts and foundation of the Constructional Approach in an easy-to-understand step-by-step fashion, while comparing it to the traditional eliminative approaches!
How you view the undesirable behavior can change everything from training goals and training itself to our lifestyle with our animals! The kindness and compassion for animals start with the type of approach we take!
We hope this webinar will provide you with helpful knowledge about the Constructional Approach and how we can harness this approach into our training and living with our animals!
If you are taking the webinar on separation-related behaviors (September 9th), you will learn the approach behind the two case studies with Chuu and Remy! This webinar is a great companion webinar! Click HERE to learn more about the webinar on the separation-related behavior, and join us!
Through the webinar, the attendees will learn:
-
A new way to view the undesirable behavior
-
How to achieve our training goals without focusing on the undesirable behavior
-
Specific steps to effectively shape desirable behaviors in an animal-friendly and effective manner
-
How different approaches affect training, our lives, and animal welfare
-
Constructional Approach and its connection to animal welfare and ethical training
How we perceive problem behavior can change everything!
Kindness and compassion toward animals depend on the approach we choose!
◼️ Webinar Date
September 30th, Tuesday, from 5:00pm to 8:10pm Eastern Time
(3 hours and 10 minutes)
Webinar timetable:
(Attendees can enter the zoom meeting at 4:50pm Eastern Time)
*Scheduled time may change during the webinar.
-
First lecture: 75 min
-
Break: 5 min
-
Second lecture: 75 min
-
Break: 5 min
-
Q&A: 30 min
◼️ Instructors
Sean Will, Ph.D
Maasa Nishimuta, M.S., BCBA
Testimonials
I have been setting goals and training (treatment) based on a pathological approach. Through the webinar, Sean and Maasa explained the fundamental difference between this approach and the Constructional Approach, which changed my concept of what I had been doing!
During the webinar, Sean and Maasa said “The animal is always right.” I really agree with this point. I don't think they are trying to annoy the family. I was reminded that I have to understand what my dog wants from the undesirable behaviors.
I learned not to be fooled by the topography/form of the animal’s behavior, and not to interpret animal’s undesirable behaviors as the problem themselves.
I have a better understanding of the problems with the explosion of undesirable behaviors from extinction and the points about giving animals what they want even though when they make errors during the training!
During the webinar, there was almost no technical language/jargon, so it was easy to understand for an ordinary dog parent like me.
The lecture slides were simple and very easy to understand with lots of videos!
I realized that I have been only focusing on the undesirable behaviors and not on the desirable behaviors that I wanted the dogs to do. Rather than thinking “why can't they do this behavior?” or “how can I eliminate the undesirable behavior?”, I feel that training can be stress-free for both the family and the dog if we focus on desirable behaviors.
I learned that depending on how we interact with dogs, the excessive mouthy dog can quickly transform into a dog that loves human interaction and affection. The webinar made me think there is no dog that is bad and malicious from the beginning. And the explanation about extinction made me think that extinction can create monster.
Registration
The registration for this webinar is closed.
Please check other webinars we are offering from HERE
■ Who is this webinar for?
This webinar is for anyone interested in learning about the important pieces to design compassionate and effective training and living with animals!
We welcome families living with animals, animal trainers, veterinarians/nurses, groomers/trimmers, animal shelters and rescues staff/volunteers, and students interested in behavior analysis and dog training!
We will introduce new terms like “constructional approach” and new concepts, but we will explain them in plain English to help you understand! We hope you will find discoveries and tips for your training! Let's learn together!
■ What is included in the registration?
-
Attend the webinar live
-
Webinar lecture slides
-
Webinar recordings
-
Attendees will receive the webinar recording within 48 hours
-
The recording will be available
-
◼️ CEU
You can earn CEU from these organizations: KPA(3 CEU), IAABC(3 CEU), CCPDT(3 CEU), and BCBA (3 CEU).
◼️ Place
The webinar will be held on Zoom meeting. You can attend the webinar from anywhere as long as you have a secure internet.
◼️ All the profit from the webinar will fund the behavior support and training we offer to shelter dogs ♡
CAAWT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to remove financial barriers to behavior support and training for individuals and organizations who need training but cannot afford it. As you learn with us, you are helping shelter dogs! We thank you for your support.
◼️ Contact us
If you have any questions about the webinar, feel free to email us.
We are looking forward to meeting you at future webinars!
