What is a CBCC?
Jeb and his dog Rover.CBCC stands for “Certified Behavior Consultant Canine”. We have an advanced level of knowledge regarding canine behavior modification. Most of us are also skilled dog trainers, but we often work on more complex cases than those presented to dog trainers. We work with highly abnormal, dysfunctional and even pathological behavior.
What is the difference between a CBCC and dog behaviorist?
The term “dog behaviorist” is often misused. It refers only to Doctors of Veterinarian Medicine with post-graduate certifications in dog behavior. It could also pertain to Applied Animal Behaviorists (PhD), whom are educated in biology, psychology and zoology. To me, this is the highest level one can attain in this field.
A CBCC is a specialist at analyzing dog behavior, and the client’s role, as well as external influences. We are highly skilled at changing unwanted (and promoting wanted) canine behavior.
“Dog behaviorists” also have these skills, but they have higher education as relates to the physiology that contributes to the behavior. They are also the only ones in the field truly qualified to help with nutritional, supplemental or medicinal interventions to assist in the behavior modification.
As a CBCC, I often collaborate with Veterinarian Behaviorists, especially when the case requires ruling out health problems, or might require the aid of medication.
CBCCs tend to work with clients on a much more regular basis throughout the program, than does a Veterinarian Behaviorist. This is a generalization, but often a Veterinarian Behaviorist does the consultation and is available for email and phone support for a few months, and then will do a follow up appointment in 6 months. As a CBCC I prefer to do weekly in person sessions for the first month two, before reducing the frequency of a follow up appointments. This is helpful for some of the higher maintenance projects, or for some human clients that are less experienced and need extra guidance.
We both favor positive reinforcement, and our training plans are usually completely compatible. CBCCs tend to be more affordable than dog behaviorists, and so in my opinion we cover a wider social-strata and get more experience in the nitty gritty “trenches” of the dog training world. Our experience is invaluable. When in doubt though, I defer to the Veterinarian Behaviorists.
What is Behavior Consulting?
Behavior Consulting is generally more detailed than just getting coached through an obedience training program. It isn’t just, “Here is how to teach stay.” I need to find out as much information as possible on any factors contributing to the unwanted behavior, or factors preventing the acquisition of desired behaviors. I need to learn about the schedule, temperament and learning style of both the humans and the canine. We find patterns and isolate motivations and often unseen reinforcers
Behavior Consulting often reminds me of untying a big knot. We identify numerous overlying factors contributing to the problem, and we are skilled at knowing which “strand” of the knot to unravel first, and when to move on to the next piece of the puzzle.
What does it mean to you to be a certified CBCC?
Considering the thousands of hours I worked to qualify to take the exam, and then the hundreds of hours I spent studying, it means quite a lot to me to be a certified CBCC. I certainly had skills before I took the exam, but now having gone through this process and all the study material, the title is a nice professional recognition of my efforts in continuing education. In other words, I’m a super geek about canine behavior, as well as a communication and collaboration with humans, and the CBCC credential represents this.
What areas did you study to receive this certification?
I studied anatomy, biology, physiology, developmental life stages, applied behavior analysis (which includes the psychology of classical and operant conditioning), husbandry, ethology, canine body language, and the art of taking a consultation.
Is there anything to consider when deciding if your dog needs to see a behavior consultant?
Consider your goals, your budget, the behavior you see, the behavior you wish to change, and the behavior you wish to acquire.
Since you asked a behavior consultant the question, I’ll say, “When in doubt, contact a behavior consultant.”
If a CBCC thinks you need to see a Veterinarian Behaviorist, we’ll let you know.
Which certifications do you have and tell us a bit about them.
I have four certifications of which I am especially proud.
CPDT-KA: Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed. This is an essential fundamental certification, granted by the Certification for Professional Dog Trainers. It is the most prestigious organization of its type, recognized world-wide. Last I checked, “I Said Sit!” School for Dogs had more CPDTs under one roof, than any other single school in California.
CBCC-KA: Certified Behavior Consultant Canine – Knowledge Assessed. See everything I said above about this one. It is also granted by the Certification Counsel for Professional Dog Trainers.
ANWI: Associate Nose Work Instructor. I am only a handful of hours away from being upgraded from “Associate Nose Work Instructor” to full “Certified Nose Work Instructor” (CNWI). This is through the National Association of Canine Scent Work. At “I Said Sit!” School for dogs, I offer group classes and privates to train dogs in detection-style K9 nose work for competition, as well as for enrichment for the dogs and their families.
CWIGI: Certified Wag-It Games Instructor. Wag-It Games are fun series of classes, or retreat-style courses which holds no-pressure competitions and teaches a wide variety of dog sports. Among the curriculum is, confidence building to prep for agility, dog ball sports, leash walking “shadow skills”, a nose work primer, as well as other brain games.
