CORE AREAS OF COMPETENCY

I. Assessment and Intervention Strategies

A. History Taking Skills And History Assessment

1. Eliciting accurate information
2. Interpretation of information provided
3. Assessing owner interpretation of behavioral issues

B. Behavior Problems

1. Separation related problems
2. Aggression
3. Problems related to social signaling
4. Sexual/reproductive
5. Maternal
6. Fears/phobias
7. Anxiety disorders
8. Repetitive behaviors
9. Unruly behavior
10. Vocalization
11. Ingestive disorders
12. Elimination disorders
13. Destructive behavior

C. Behavioral Observation Skills

1. Accurate observation and interpretation of behaviors demonstrated by the animal
2. Ability to integrate information obtained by direct observation of the animal and the humans involved

D. Integration of behavioral, historical, medical and physiologic data

E. Intervention Strategies

1. Management and safety interventions
2. Behavior modification protocols
3. Knowledge and appropriate use of training equipment
4. Ability to apply scientific learning theory principles to treatment strategies

F. Training Methods

1. Lure/reward
2. Shaping
3. Clicker training
4. Prompting
5. Compulsion

G. General knowledge of psychopharmacological use

II. Counseling Skills & Social Systems Assessment

A. Awareness of social structure and proximate environment on animal’s behavior

B. Ability to assess human attitudes and how these impact the animals behavior and the outcome of the problem

C. Ability to asses family’s goals and discuss these in non-judgmental manner

D. Awareness of human personality types

E. Observation and interpretation of human behaviors

F. Awareness and ability to utilize human learning styles

G. Ability to develop solutions that function for all members involved

H. Ability to assist in counseling family members in conflict to arrive at a common goal

I. Awareness of ancillary support services

1. Veterinarian
2. Social services
3. Alternative practitioners
4. Psychological counseling

III. Behavioral Science

A. Learning Theory

1. Operant conditioning
2. Classical conditioning
3. Desensitization, counterconditioning
4. Observational learning
5. Habituation, sensitization
6. Latent learning
7. Flooding

B. Evaluation of scientific information and data analysis

C. Use of scientific data to enhance understanding of behavioral systems

D. Ability to apply scientific data to behavior modification programs

E. Ability to collect and utilize data related to modification programs to monitor and improve performance

IV. General Knowledge of Animal Behavior

A. Ethology

B. Communication behaviors

C. Genetics

D. Domestication and evolution

E. Wild ancestors and the implication for evaluating domestic animal behavior

F. Basic neuroanatomy and neurobiology (as relates to behavioral assessments)

G. Endocrinology and physiology

V. Species-Specific Knowledge

A. General overview of gross anatomy

B. Physiology

C. Nutrition and diet

D. Exercise and housing requirements

E. Breed specific characteristics

F. Common health issues

G. Interpretation of body language

H. Developmental stages

IAABC Standards Exam Commission : Dr Lore Haug, Chris Redenbach, Carol Stewart, Elise Gouge, Barbara Davis, Lee Livingood