IAABC Foundation

Are you new to behavior consulting—or ready to sharpen your skills with real-world case support? Whether you’re stepping into challenging cases (aggression toward strangers, dog-dog reactivity, resource guarding, separation anxiety) or want to tighten your behavior chops, this program will help you turn solid theory into confident, structured practice.

This mentorship begins with a full review (or introduction, if you’re newer) of learning theory, functional assessment, and data collection. From there, you’ll move into hands-on practice: crafting behavior-modification plans, keeping clients engaged, and running a successful behavior-consulting practice.

What makes this mentorship unique:

• Case-centered approach – Each meeting features a live, one-hour round-table where real cases and questions shape the conversation.

• Scenario-based coaching – Instructor prompts guide you to analyze information, set priorities, and map out behavior-modification steps.

• Active collaboration – Progress comes from sharing and brainstorming, turning theory into practical solutions you can use immediately.

Love an interactive environment where you craft your own action plans with expert guidance? This program is built for you.

By the end of the mentorship you will:

• Apply training hierarchies and risk-management principles to choose safe, effective interventions while expanding your consulting range.

• Know how to re-prioritize goals when client circumstances change—and keep them engaged.

• Draft behavior-modification plans clients can actually follow.

• Expand your professional network by learning alongside fellow consultants.

How the Live Calls Work

1. Mentorship-style round robin – Each participant has the opportunity to ask questions, contribute knowledge, or present a case or challenge.

2. Instructor-led discussion – Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Sarah Filipiak, CDBC, prompts the group with "why/what-if” questions and scenarios to uncover priorities, client-motivation strategies, and considerations for when to introduce specific protocols.

3. Critical thinking required – Each hour functions as a mini-mastermind: unpack complex cases, trade strategies to keep clients engaged, and refine decision-making in a supportive round-table.

Come prepared with a behavior case you’d like to troubleshoot, or listen in until you’re ready to jump into the discussion. The more you share, the more tailored your takeaways will be!