The Training Process
Vivian Zottola, MSc, CBCC | 617.721.8025
Helping you and your pet companion every step of the way
The following workflow description is for Stand-alone Plus and the Full Package training programs. That said, if you prefer to work on your own and purchase the Stand-Alone training course, it can be used as a roadmap to move through learning more about your dog
Step 1: INTAKE (online information gathering)
- After the service agreement is completed and payment is made, you receive my proprietary Intake & Behavior Progress Data Tracking (IBPD) Worksheet used to collaborate and support our training engagement. Your veterinarian and any other professional you wish to collaborate with may be granted access to the worksheet.
- You begin learning right away!
- My High Level Training Plan begins to develop on this call as behavior baseline is documented. It is further teased out and established based on observations collected in the next step, the in home assessment.
- We set the date for an INTAKE and spend two hours + discussing your relationship with your dog, learning history, training and management experience and plotting out the time line of all events (good and bad) that occurred from your dogs birth until the day you called me for help.
- We plan appointments (in home and online support calls) for the duration of our engagement.
- We review my proprietary Behavior Progress Tracking Worksheet, used to track progress, homework, share information real time.
- Access to Click Therapy for Dogs Course Materials and homework to prepare for upcoming in home evaluation/lesson.
- Not included in Stand-alone course.
Step 2: EVALUATE: in home assessment
EVALUATE: in home/in person due diligence continues. Not included in Stand-Alone course
- At the first in home appointment expect to meet for two hours.
- This meeting requires my close observation of your relationship and your dogs responses
- We work on real time training skills together
- Evaluating relationship dynamics between dogs and their people and establishing baseline behaviors.
- Observe in person real time degree of resiliency to stressful events that may arise (both dog and people), gradient threshold, assess and document degree of challenges, plot strategies, skills and management assessment. Real time training and homework provided.
- Medication determination. While learning skills and providing new management strategies helps to improve behaviors, in some cases training (and love) alone is NOT enough for behavior change. When I use the term medication please know this is a conversation you will have with your veterinarian. There is a spectrum of naturally derived therapies including pheromone and aromatherapy along with diet that can help improve and support positive changes. For some anti anxiety medications used responsibly and short term can be life saving. It will be up to you and your vet to determine what works for you and your lifestyle. For many dogs who are far too stressed or have an extensive learning history, I will "gently" encourage their guardians to meet a veterinarian or a board certified veterinary behaviorist while working with me on Behavior Modification Training. The temporary use of medication along with reward based training has been shown to help improve the dogs ability to learn. Our aim is to reduce you and your dogs chronic stress which can cause physical and psychological damage. When faced with managing too many variables in our lives and limited sleep including for example; working two jobs, caretaking an elderly person or disabled family member, children, living with multiple dogs, expecting a baby or some other pressure, a methodical and responsible approach can be lifesaving for the dog.
- 30 Days or Right Away: I provide you with my recommendations and you decide on one of two paths either
- 1) implementing new training strategies (communication skills, safety strategies) along with meditation and aromatherapy/pheromone therapy and revisiting after a 30 day period OR,
- 2) proactively meeting with the family veterinarian right away to include behavior medication.
STEACH SKILLS (implement strategies)
Some behaviors will tease out and improve faster than others. Emotionally charged behaviors associated with fear, anxiety (phobias) will take more time.
- We meet for our in home lessons and in between catch up calls over the course of 90 days.
- Therapist and client meet in between lessons for 30 minute catch up to review questions
- Continuous support is provided every step of the way by text, phone, facetime and catch up calls.
- Progress is monitored virtually using my proprietary Behavior Tracking Worksheet.
- Move at their own pace, reviewing online course materials to support your learning when its convenient for you.
- Access to educational materials produced by Vivian Zottola including presentations, training demos for up to one year.
- Pre scheduled appointments are conducted at your home so to build on foundation skills and strategies, adding more advanced skills when ready.
- Its the clients responsibility to reach out with questions and when plans are moving sideways instead of forward. Changes are made real time as needed.
- Not included in Stand-alone course
MANAGE PROGRESS
MANAGE & MONITOR (ONGOING)
- Protecting the integrity of what you learn in my training program requires close management of your and your dogs triggers. Since we know it takes time to form new habits (building neuro pathways and practicing in order to strengthen them takes approximately 90-120 days plus) and so it is integral to protect what you and your dog learn. We do this by incorporating skills into our lifestyle with our dogs, and taking deep breaths when we can avoid highly charged situations. It is virtually impossible to avoid highly level stressful situation or unforeseen circumstances.. however we can shift our perspective.
- Behavior change is tracked using the proprietary Intake & Behavior Modification criteria including intensity of behaviors, frequency of behaviors and ability to recover.
- Continuous tracking and communication between behavior consultant and client using active proprietary IBPD Tracking Worksheet.
- Client continues to incorporate learned (reward centered) skills and strategies checking in as needed.
- Clients are welcome to hire my services in person or by zoom for however long they need
- Support for the life of your dog. I am always open to provide guidance for the life of your dog
- Not included in Stand-Alone course
Thank you for considering working with me
In the last twenty years, we have gained a greater understanding of dogs - their capacity to learn and comprehend our intentions and their unwavering and unconditional love for us. Dog training is currently an unregulated profession that needs to establish standards. Consequently, inhumane and unethical methods are often employed due to a lack of knowledge. Many claim to be dog trainers, essentially teachers of dogs and their people; however, lack knowledge in the principals of animal behavior, ethology, psychology, anatomy and learning theory. Many overlook we (dogs and humans) are similar emotionally however very different species operating using unique and different sensory perception to translate and understand the world around us and everything in it. Without a solid educational and practical foundation, unqualified trainers (and people claiming to be dog behaviorists) may inadvertently cause more harm than good. Unfortunately, while people mean well, they unknowingly (and some knowingly) intentionally use force, intimidation, and pain to change dog behavior, and doing so only serves to physically and psychologically harm dogs causing distrust in people. They teach you, the dog guardian and caretaker their techniques some of which are emotionally traumatizing. To address these issues I continue to work in this profession and have developed a comprehensive training framework called 'Click Therapy for Dogs.' My teaching approach stems from learning kind and humane strategies backed by scientific principles. My training aims to create a stronger bond between people and dogs, manage expectations, and enhance communication. The educational training programs provide tailored expert guidance, educational materials, and responsive support, allowing you to learn quickly. Choose from the level of assistance you need. If you have any questions, feel free to email or call.