Key Concepts
Any meaningful discussion of normal or abnormal animal behavior requires an understanding of four basic concepts.

• Conservation of Energy
• The fundamental priorities of all living beings
• Domestication: natural or self- selection vs human selection
• The interaction of animal physiology, behavior, and human-animal relationships

Normal aggressive displays in wild canines
Because we can't begin to analyze, let alone treat, any abnormal behavior unless we recognize normal, an understanding of normal aggression is critical to our understanding of problem displays.

• Specific priority-related aggressive displays
• Active versus passive aggressive displays
• Expression in domestic dogs

Aggression and fear
Fearful wild animals experience specific physiological changes which, in turn, may influence their behavior and enhance or undermine survival.

• The Four-Fs of fear
• Fear-based vs "choice"-based aggressive =displays
• The gastro-intestinal two-step
• Fearful domestic dog responses
  1. The evolutionary cake
  2. Direct priority-related responses
  3. Displaced priority-related responses
      a. behavioral
      b. stress-related medical problems

Aggression and rank
Rank in wild animals serves to decrease the probability of aggression among pack members and ensure that any aggressive displays aimed at those outside the pack will occur in the most energy-efficient manner.

• Function of pack structure
• Physiology of rank
• Dynamic packs vs fixed dominance hierarchies
• Domestic dogs and rank
  1. Canine pack structures
  2. Human-canine pack structures

Aggression and Gender
The fact that the majority of American pets are neutered has led many to erroneously conclude that gender is only a factor in intact animals. However, the number of aggressive neutered animals negates this line of thinking.

• Gender and the dog
• Gender and the owner
• Gender and the animal-care professional
• Neutering and aggression

The Rehabilitation of Aggressive Dogs

• Criteria for success
• Owned dogs vs shelter dogs

Myrna Milani earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Capital University (Columbus, Ohio) and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Following a year as a full-time academic advisor to pre-veterinary students at the university, Dr. Milani entered private veterinary practice in New Hampshire. Her interest in the relationship between humans and animals as it affects the health and behavior of both led her to write seven books for the general public:

• The Weekend Dog (Rawson/Scribners, 1984; Signet paper, 1985)
• The Invisible Leash (New American Library, 1985; Signet paper, 1986)
• The Body Language and Emotion of Dogs (William Morrow, 1986; Quill, 1993)
• The Body Language and Emotion of Cats (William Morrow, 1987; Quill, 1993)
• DogSmart: The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Dog You Want, Keeping the Dog You Find (Contemporary Books, 1997 )
• CatSmart: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding, Caring for, and Living with You Cat (Contemporary Books, 1998)
• Preparing for the Loss of Your Pet: Saying Good-bye with Love, Dignity and Peace of Mind (Prima, 1998)

The editors of The Reader's Catalogue, which listed the 40,000 best books in print, voted The Invisible Leash and the body language books best in their categories. The Body Language and Emotion of Dogs also has been used as a textbook for collegiate courses in the human-canine bond and animal-assisted therapy and education, and in courses for professional dog trainers. Additionally, Dr. Milani has written a behavior- and bond-based veterinary text, The Art of Veterinary Practice: A Guide to Client Communication (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1995), the script for an audio tape, Understanding Your Cat's Behavior, for the general public for Proof in Advance Education Corporation, as well as scripts for the internationally broadcast "Pet Care Minutes," sponsored by Merck and the American Veterinary Medical Association. In addition to contributing articles to various professional publications, the author wrote a canine behavior column for Cornell's DogWatch newsletter and now writes for the PetCity website.

Throughout her career Dr. Milani has taught numerous courses: Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Behavior, Bioethics (including online),and wildlife ecology on the college level, and courses in the human-canine and the human-feline bond and behavior for the general public. In addition to doing private behavior/bond client consultations, she serves as a consultant to non-profit and for-profit organizations regarding animal-related issues. In her past capacity as a spokesperson, she discussed canine and feline care and behavioral problems with thousands of owners and professionals at shows and events was, and still is, interviewed regularly regarding various aspects of the human-animal bond by journalists, those researching animal-related books, television producers, and other representatives of media.

Dr. Milani has spoken to a wide variety of public and professional organizations on pertinent aspects of the human-animal relationship, and she currently enjoys a close working relationship with veterinarians nationwide who contact her regarding behavioral or bond problems and refer clients to her. Additionally, the eclectic nature of her studies have led her to develop a network of trainers, breeders, psychologists, sociologists, ecologists, ethologists, shelter personnel, wildlife experts, law enforcement officials, media specialists and other professionals with whom she routinely shares personal observations and material. She lives in Charlestown, New Hampshire with an assortment of pets and loves to work in her gardens.

DOG STUFF
DOGS ARE ALLOWED IN THE SEMINAR ROOM. Dogs may lay by your chair as long as they remain quiet, leashed and under control at all times. Crates and exercise pens allowed in the adjacent room ONLY. If your dog can't be confined in the adjacent room and remain quiet, please don't bring your dog.

Any dog that is disruptive or behaves in an aggressive manner as determined by event staff will be requested to leave. Any dog that has "personal space issues" will not be allow to be confined in the adjacent room.

No dogs can be left in vehicles if the outdoor temperature exceeds 70 degrees even if all windows, doors and/or hatches are open. The facility is air-conditioned.

Leaving dogs in a vehicle when the outdoor temperature exceeds 70 degrees IS AGAINST THE LAW.

DOG ETIQUETTE
You are responsible for cleaning up after your dog. There are no excuses for not picking up after your dog EVERYWHERE.

CURRENT VACCINATIONS
All dogs entering the facility are required to have up-to-date vaccinations.

SANCTUARY POLICY
Please, no prong collars on dogs in the facility.

PEOPLE ETIQUETTE: During the lectures, please turn off all cell phone and pager audio alerts. Please take all private conversations outside while the speaker is presenting.

VIDEOTAPING/AUDIOTAPING POLICY: No videotaping or audiotaping is permitted. This seminar was taped this past May and you may purchase a copy at www.tawzerdogvideos.com.

BOOKS & TOYS, ETC. FOR SALE: A selection of books, videos and toys, etc. will be available for purchase.

REFUND POLICY
Full refund issued if requested by email or phone no later than Monday, October 27, 2003. Refunds requested after Monday, October 27, 2003 will be issued a 50% credit slip (excluding any food purchases) that may be applied to future Puppyworks educational events. No credits or refunds after 9:00 am on November 1st.

FROM 1-85/1-40
Take the Mebane (southwest bound) or Mebane Oaks Rd. (northeast bound) exit (#154). Turn south (away from Mebane), go 6 miles, turn left on to Nicks Rd. The Sanctuary will be 0.5 miles on the left at 6311 Nicks Rd.

FROM ALAMANCE COUNTY
Take Hwy 54 East one mile past the Orange County Line, turn left onto Mebane Oaks Road. Go 2 miles, turn right on to Nicks Rd. The Sanctuary will be 0.5 miles on the left at 6311 Nicks Rd.

FROM CHAPEL HILL/CARRBORO
Take Hwy 54 West out of Carrboro approximately 12 miles from the city limits, turn right onto Mebane Oaks Rd. (there is a road sign for Saxapahaw to the left at this intersection). Go 2 miles, turn right onto Nicks Rd. The Sanctuary will be 0.5 miles on the left at 6311 Nicks Rd.

FROM RALEIGH/DURHAM AIRPORT
Leave the airport and take I-40 West (towards Durham and Chapel Hill). I-40 merges with I-85 west of Hillsborough. Continue on I-40/I-85 West to exit #154/Mebane. At the end of the exit ramp make a left (south) onto Mebane Oaks Rd. Take Mebane Oaks Rd for six miles to Nicks Rd and make a left. The Sanctuary is a half mile down on the left.

MEBANE HOUSE
115 S 5th St
Mebane, NC
(919) 304-2566
Dogs allowed
~ 3 miles away

MICROTEL INN & SUITES
120 Old Dogwood St
Hillsborough, NC
(919) 245-3102
Dogs allowed, pet fee
~ 12 miles away

MOTEL 6 BURLINGTON
1257 Hanford Rd
Burlington, NC
(336) 226-1325
Dogs allowed
~ 16 miles away

HAMPTON INN MEBANE
105 Spring Forest Dr
Mebane, NC
(919) 563-5400
No dogs
~ 7 miles away

COMFORT INN DURHAM
3508 Mt Moriah Rd
Durham, NC
(919) 932-9522
No dogs
~ 22 miles away

For registration inquiries, contact:
events@puppyworks.com

For local information, contact:
Jenn Merritt
apsdogtraining@aol.com