Fundamentals of Animal Behavior and Learning
Sessions
2026-09
Course Dates: |
Sep 27, 2026 - Oct 25, 2026 |
Instructor(s): |
Dr. JoAnna Platzer PhD, B.Sc., CPDT-KA
JoAnna Platzer, PhD, B.Sc., CPDT-KA, is an animal trainer and Zoos, Exotics, and Companion Animals lecturer in the department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Vermont. She earned her PhD in the Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare lab at Virginia Tech under Dr. Erica Feuerbacher.
Her research interests spanned several facets of behavioral and welfare and included studies with pet dogs, shelter animals, horses, and dairy cattle. Before that, she attended the University of Florida where she majored in Zoology with an emphasis on animal behavior. After graduation, she participated in research on site fidelity of Mockingbirds with the University of Florida, social behavior of Fairy-wrens with Cornell University, and comparative cognition of canines with Yale University. She has worked as a professional dog trainer and has experience in zoos and conservancies, where she was involved in training exotic animal species for enrichment and low-stress husbandry. She currently lives in Vermont with her sweet and enthusiastic gargoyle of a dog, Ivy. 
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Pricing: |
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Register
Closes Oct 3, 2026
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Think scientifically about animal training and behavior consulting for all species.
- Break training into component principles.
- Analyze environmental events that maintain behavior.
- Recognize how labels such as "aggressive” or "submissive” cloud your thinking and work.
- Establish accurate descriptions of animals who are said to be "confident,” "creative,” "a problem solver,” and how you should approach those learners.
- Understand the common principles at play in different animals & species.
- Directly assess behavior and train more humanely and effectively by cutting through the jargon.
Discussions for this course take place in the forum. There are no scheduled meetings.
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CEUs: |
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Speaker(s)
Dr. JoAnna Platzer PhD, B.Sc., CPDT-KA
JoAnna Platzer, PhD, B.Sc., CPDT-KA, is an animal trainer and Zoos, Exotics, and Companion Animals lecturer in the department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Vermont. She earned her PhD in the Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare lab at Virginia Tech under Dr. Erica Feuerbacher.
Her research interests spanned several facets of behavioral and welfare and included studies with pet dogs, shelter animals, horses, and dairy cattle. Before that, she attended the University of Florida where she majored in Zoology with an emphasis on animal behavior.
After graduation, she participated in research on site fidelity of Mockingbirds with the University of Florida, social behavior of Fairy-wrens with Cornell University, and comparative cognition of canines with Yale University. She has worked as a professional dog trainer and has experience in zoos and conservancies, where she was involved in training exotic animal species for enrichment and low-stress husbandry.
She currently lives in Vermont with her sweet and enthusiastic gargoyle of a dog, Ivy.
Her research interests spanned several facets of behavioral and welfare and included studies with pet dogs, shelter animals, horses, and dairy cattle. Before that, she attended the University of Florida where she majored in Zoology with an emphasis on animal behavior.
After graduation, she participated in research on site fidelity of Mockingbirds with the University of Florida, social behavior of Fairy-wrens with Cornell University, and comparative cognition of canines with Yale University. She has worked as a professional dog trainer and has experience in zoos and conservancies, where she was involved in training exotic animal species for enrichment and low-stress husbandry.
She currently lives in Vermont with her sweet and enthusiastic gargoyle of a dog, Ivy.
Dr. Erica Feuerbacher Ph.D., BCBA-D, CPDT-KA
Erica Feuerbacher, Ph.D., BCBA-D, CPDT-KA is an Assistant Professor of Anthrozoology at Carroll College in Helena, MT, where she leads the canine program in which students train foster dogs during the academic year. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She earned her Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Florida under the advisorship of Dr. Clive Wynne in the UF Canine Cognition and Behavior Lab (now part of the Canine Science Collaboratory) and her Masters in Behavior Analysis in the Organization for Reinforcement Contingencies under the advisorship of Dr. Jesus Rosales-Ruiz.
She has published a variety of scientific articles of her research on learning theory and the dog-human relationship. She has taught Principles of Behavior Analysis, Behaviorism in Contemporary Society, Learning and Cognition, Basic and Advanced Canine Training, Research Methods, and General Psychology at the college level. She has earned several awards for her behavior analytic research and her dedication to the theoretical foundations of behavior analysis. Her research interests center on dog-human social interactions, canine welfare, and enhancing humane, effective training techniques.
She has published a variety of scientific articles of her research on learning theory and the dog-human relationship. She has taught Principles of Behavior Analysis, Behaviorism in Contemporary Society, Learning and Cognition, Basic and Advanced Canine Training, Research Methods, and General Psychology at the college level. She has earned several awards for her behavior analytic research and her dedication to the theoretical foundations of behavior analysis. Her research interests center on dog-human social interactions, canine welfare, and enhancing humane, effective training techniques.
