Barks Blog

BARKS presents session details from PPG’s 2020 Summit and Workshops in Phoenix, Arizona
*Early bird discount available if you register before January 31, 2020!

Session Details:
Presenter: Dr. Karolina Westlund
Session Title: Do Scientists Really Know What They’re Talking About?
Session Type: General Session (1 Hour)

In the last 100 years, what we know about animal behavior, learning and cognition has been completely rewritten. But how many of today’s assumptions will hold true another 100 years from now? Which areas need further study? What claims are yet to be refuted as myth? And can we trust “common sense?”

This session will discuss some of the notions that we’ve grown up with or have been told are solid truths about animals but that have been questioned (or corroborated) by scientific findings. Are clickers (secondary reinforcers) more efficient when teaching a novel behavior than just using primary reinforcers? Do we need to fast animals (and humans) before sedation? Is CBD oil really the universal remedy it’s claimed to be – regardless of species? Are animals better off without the owner present in the veterinary clinic? It will also touch on why we, as animal trainers, should read scientific articles with a critical eye.

Learning Objectives:

• How to conduct your own small experiment to find out whether there might be some truth to that hunch of yours.
• Cases where science has discussed commonly held beliefs about animals, learning and training.
• Why animal trainers need to get involved in scientific studies.

PPG Summit 2020 will take place in Phoenix, Arizona and offer two unique programs:

Program 1: The Four-Day Summit
Program 2: The Four-Day Summit + Daily Off-Site Workshops at the Arizona Humane Society

Dates: Friday, September 18 – Tuesday, September 22, 2020 

Event theme: Collaborative Care and Enrichment – Creating Partnerships for Positive Results 

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