Behavior Creation

Michael Ellis Behavior Creation

366 Videos | 20 Hours of Content

This comprehensive dog training course is designed to provide participants with a deep understanding of behavior creation, from foundational concepts to advanced techniques. The course will guide you through the essential skills needed to develop a strong, trusting relationship with your dog, while providing effective tools and strategies for training a wide variety of behaviors.

Ed Frawley filmed this course a number of years ago at the original Michael Ellis School for Dog training. Even though it was filmed some time ago, the concepts are still excellent and accurate today. Customers who have purchased some of our past Ellis DVD's , Streams and Online Courses will recognize training techniques from our specialized  training videos.

In this course we have a full spectrum of information to help new dog trainers wrap their mind around the details of reward based training and how to approach behavior creation. Michael is one of the best instructors in the world and this course was designed for brand new dog trainers to give them a solid foundation in how to teach their dogs new behaviors.

Module 1: Introduction to Behavior Creation - We begin with an introduction to the expectations of the course, key terminology, and the training equipment you'll use throughout the program. You'll explore the purpose and proper use of leashes, collars, harnesses, crates, ex-pens, muzzles, and toys. We’ll also cover the importance of conditioning equipment before its use, and discuss vital concepts such as puppy development, socialization, and training with food.

Module 2: Building a Relationship - Effective dog training begins with building a strong bond. In this module, you’ll learn about living with and engaging your dog, training multiple dogs, and the significance of a family-centered approach. We’ll discuss how multiple people can train the same dog and how the handler’s behavior influences the dog. 

Module 3: Learning Theory - Understanding learning theory is a core element of behavior creation. This module covers key concepts like markers, operant conditioning, and the learning phase. You will explore methods for shaping behavior, luring, using physical gestures, and naming behaviors. We'll provide practical demonstrations on training sessions and reward systems to reinforce positive behavior.

Module 4: Behavior Creation - In this hands-on module, we will introduce you to essential behavior creation tools. Learn how to teach your dog basic commands like sit, down, and recall, as well as advanced techniques like adding duration, pre-heeling, and introducing leash pressure. Students will participate in demonstrations to strengthen their skills in creating and reinforcing behaviors.

Module 5: Play - Play is a crucial element in building a relationship with your dog. In this module, we explore the benefits of incorporating play into training. You’ll learn about dog-to-dog play, the rules of tug, and how to safely engage your dog with toys. Students will also participate in bite work, restrained play, and demonstrations using the food chase games.

Module 6: Behavior Reinforcement - Behavior reinforcement is key to consistent training success. This module covers topics like managing distractions, proofing, and generalization of behaviors in different settings. We’ll dive into the use of aversives and reinforcement schedules, as well as teaching impulse control to help your dog make better choices.

Module 7: Behavior Modification - In this module, we’ll explore techniques for modifying unwanted behaviors. You’ll learn strategies for redirection, dealing with reactivity, and applying counter-conditioning to address fear-based behaviors. We’ll also cover motivation, addressing dominance issues, and handling dog bites.

Module 8: Continuing Education - The course concludes with guidance on how to continue your education in dog training. You’ll get recommendations for further courses by experts like Ed Frawley and Michael Ellis.

By the end of this course, you will have a well-rounded understanding of dog training, from foundational behaviors to advanced techniques, enabling you to create a balanced, well-behaved dog and deepen the bond between you and your pet.