By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

What makes Social Cognitive Animal Training different?

For decades, dog training has brawn from behaviourism, giving trainers powerful tools for understanding reinforcement, consequences, shaping, and behaviour change.

Recently, cognitive science expanded our understanding of perception, memory…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Animal training has never lacked information; it has theories, methods, techniques, and generations of practical application. What it has lacked is something more fundamental: a way to see how all of these pieces actually fit together…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Social Cognitive Animal Training (SCAT) sits at the intersection of learning theory and lived experience. While it draws from social learning principles, cognitive processing, and attchament, its deeper structure aligns closely with two frameworks rarely discussed…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

When most people think about puppy socialization, they picture play. Groups of puppies tumbling over one another, burning energy, getting used to the world. It looks productive, and it feels right.

Social Cognitive Animal Training

For…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Dogs are exceptional observers. In social cognitive animal training, dogs gather information from people, animals, and the environment around them. They notice patterns, predict outcomes, and adjust their responses based on what they see others do.

…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Dog trainers are exceptionally good at observing behaviour. We notice patterns, emotional thresholds, timing, and context. Yet even with this level of skill, many trainers still encounter moments that behavioural explanations alone cannot fully account for…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

In dog training, professionals and pet owners often misunderstand learning theory. Social media is full of people who claim they are reinforcing behaviour when, in reality, their actions say otherwise. Trainers claim positive reinforcement (R+) while…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Resilience, the ability to recover quickly from setbacks, is a concept most often associated with human psychology as emotional or self-regulation. In dogs, resilience is just as vital. Whether they are therapy dogs working in challenging…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

In many traditional training contexts, obedience has long been the benchmark of a well-trained dog. The sit, down, stay, and heel behaviours are essential skills, and they certainly make life with dogs safer and more manageable.…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Within the professional realm of dog training, a critical distinction exists between cues, commands prompted by external signals such as sit or look at me, and voluntary behaviours, actions the dog initiates independently. While cued…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

In canine training and behaviour science, the prevalent assumption is that puppy-to-puppy play alone ensures optimal socialization. While peer interactions contribute to motor skills and bite inhibition, they lack the structured guidance that well-socialized adult dogs…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

In today’s digital age, online courses are everywhere, promising to teach everything from basic obedience to complex behaviour modification. While virtual learning can introduce theory, it simply cannot match the depth, precision, and emotional engagement of…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Dogs and wolves are intelligent species that evolved to navigate complex environments through learning, memory, and adaptability. While they share many cognitive traits, domestication has shaped dogs in unique ways. By examining how canines acquire, process,…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

In recent years, mirror neurons have captured the interest of scientists and animal behaviourists alike. Originally discovered in macaque monkeys in the 1990s, these specialised neurons have been linked to empathy, imitation, and social learning (Rizzolatti…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Part 2: How to Think Critically About Online Dog Training Advice

In Part 1, we explored how social media trainers have gained massive influence despite offering advice that’s often unqualified, outdated, or ethically questionable. Now, in…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Part 1: The Rise of Influencer Trainers and the Dangers of Quick-Fix Advice

In the world of dog training, the digital age has brought a wave of visibility, accessibility, and unfortunately, misinformation. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

In recent years, the field of animal training has experienced a paradigm shift—one that emphasizes cooperation, cognition, and communication over compliance. This shift is perhaps most profound when observed in the training of non-domesticated species, such…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

When people think about dog training, they often picture a handler giving a cue, the dog responding, and then a treat being delivered. The reward moment tends to steal the spotlight. But what happens after the…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

The Psychology of Dog Behaviour: Why Empathy Feels So Natural

From a psychological perspective, dogs’ empathetic behaviours are likely rooted in the bond they share with their human companions. This bond is reinforced through positive reinforcement,…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Dogs have long been considered man's best friend, not just for their loyalty, but for their profound ability to tune into human emotions. Whether it’s offering comfort when you’re sad or staying close during moments of…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

The bond between humans and dogs stands as one of the most enduring and profound interspecies relationships in human history. From ancient hunting companions to modern-day emotional support animals, dogs have evolved alongside us, forging a…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Dog training has undergone significant transformations over the centuries, moving from what I call rudimentary dark age methods rooted in dominance and control to evidence-based techniques grounded in behavioural science, neuroscience, and biology. This revolution reflects…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Bringing home a new puppy during the holiday season is an exciting way to ring in the new year. Those adorable eyes, wiggly tails, and boundless energy are sure to brighten your days. However, the first…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

The evolution of dog training is a slow process, but it is changing. Today we’ll look at some reasons our profession is transforming at such a slow rate, and what we can do to accelerate the…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Dog aggression statistics are an essential aspect of understanding and managing canine behaviour. Research led by James Serpell and colleagues has provided significant insights into aggression patterns among different breeds, using tools like the Canine Behavioral…