Perception Modification

by The K9 Guy, 06-09-17

Over the past weeks I've been enjoying an online seminar conducted by Mark McCabe. Mark has a behavioral approach he calls "Training Between the Ears". Another trainer named Kaycee Cover actually pioneered similar concepts many years earlier. I have always admired Kaycee's work, and read some of her publications. In the end, I found them a bit theoretical and difficult to implement. Mark apparently found the same. However, he had the ability to talk with her. Over time, he refined many of her concepts to allow very practical applications with dogs.

Watching the seminar, I enjoyed many comments and observations Mark offered. I feel we have reached similar truths independently, believing most behavioral problems in dogs stem from unsettled energies. Anxiety, reactivity, hyperactivity, aggression - dogs are always better when these problem energies are addressed. Mark calls the end of this pathway "perception modification".

Since the seminar, I have been using some of his techniques with my own dogs - with favorable results. I have also begun adding these tools to client visits. They actually fit very nicely into my overall "matrix" of how dogs learn and behave. I do get the sense that Mark has moved farther from obedience as a solution than myself. For me, his techniques and approaches will still be a subset of a larger picture.

Where do I believe theses additional approaches will be most helpful?

Owners with dogs that are well trained, but who are still dealing with problem behaviors.
Owners with dogs where challenging energies hinder even initial training.
Owners seeking behavioral help that have little interest (or time) for training.

I look forward to having more "tools" at my disposal, and thank Mark for sharing them.