The current VIN date & time: Eastern

Applied Behavior Analysis in Training: From Missile-Guiding Pigeons to Spy Dog (CDPS104) Self Study

This course is a self-paced, non-interactive course.

Presenter: Sophia Yin, DVM, CAAB, M.S. Animal Science (1966-2014)
Course Open: January 1, 2023-April 30, 2025
Total CE Credit: 2
RACE Category: 2 hours Non-Medical


Enroll Now  

Tuition: VIN/VSPN Member $46
Prices are listed in US dollars.


Course Information:
Harness the power of science in your training! Whether you're a trainer, veterinary behaviorist, pet owner, police, military, or scent work trainer, training methods based on the science of animal behavior can get you astonishingly fast and consistent results. In this second of two fascinating, live-recorded lectures, Dr. Sophia Yin, a veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and author, explains clearly and vividly the essential foundations and practical applications of the science of animal learning.

Looking for more Sophia Yin behavior courses? Consider enrolling in Low Stress Handling® Silver Certification or Pet Dogs, Problem Dogs, High Performance Dogs: How Science Can Take Your Training to a New Level. Enroll and receive a 15% bundle discount compared to the cost of individual courses.

Low Stress Handling® Silver Certification: A comprehensive review of ten individual courses, including Applied Behavior Analysis in Training: From Missile-Guiding Pigeons to Spy Dog (CDPS104). Participants will learn to understand and improve the individual's or hospital's ability to create a low stress environment and handle animals in a less stressful manner. More information/enrollment: Low Stress Handling® Silver Certification

Pet Dogs, Problem Dogs, High Performance Dogs How Science Can Take Your Training to a New Level: A comprehensive review of two individual courses, including Applied Behavior Analysis in Training: From Missile-Guiding Pigeons to Spy Dog (CDPS104). Participants will obtain fast, consistent training results for any species whether you are a trainer, veterinary behaviorist, or pet owner. Learn from Dr. Sophia Yin how science and applied behavior analysis can improve your animal training skills while deepening your understanding of animal behavior. More information/enrollment: Pet Dogs, Problem Dogs, High Performance Dogs How Science Can Take Your Training to a New Level

To earn a certificate of completion the participant must complete all learning modules and score 80% or better on the end-of-course test. Completion of the course will take a minimum of 121 minutes. Participants must complete the participation requirements by April 30, 2025 to be eligible for a certificate.

To learn more about the requirements for earning a Self Study CE certificate, please refer to Self Study CE Certificate Requirements.


Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to
  • develop an understanding of operant conditioning through history and practical application.
  • witness the connection between science and training in order to better work with animals.


Level and Prerequisites: VIN CE self-study course is open for enrollment to veterinarians and veterinary support staff actively interested in low stress handling training techniques. This course is open to VIN and VSPN members only.
Credit Approval: This non-interactive course is approved for 2 hours of continuing education credit by RACE for veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists. (RACE 20-842263)
This course is approved by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®)


Course Agenda:

Module 1: Applied Behavior Analysis in Training: From Missile-Guiding Pigeons to Spy Dog
Total Time: 111 minutes
Video: 111 minutes
Polls: 10

Module 2: End of Course Test
Total Time: 10 minutes
Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course.

Module 3: Course Evaluation

To learn more about the requirements for earning a Self Study CE certificate, please refer to Self Study CE Certificate Requirements.


Enroll Now  

Tuition: VIN/VSPN Member $46
Prices are listed in US dollars.


*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

Enrollment qualifications for Self Study CE:
  1. VIN CE Courses:
    1. VIN CE courses are open to VIN members.
    2. Veterinary support staff must be VSPN members in order to enroll in a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. VSPN CE Courses:
    1. VSPN CE courses are open to veterinary support staff and veterinarians.
    2. Only VIN and VSPN members can enroll in a VSPN CE course.
    3. Veterinarians will only receive credit for those VSPN CE courses that specify in the Accreditation statement that the course is accredited for veterinarians.
  3. Please check the course Level and Prerequisites, Accreditation, and Tuition before enrolling.
  4. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses.
    1. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  5. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email CEonVIN@vin.com. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.


Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to starting the course. If you wish to withdraw after you have started this self-study course, please contact the VSPN office 800-846-0028, ext. 797 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VIN's upcoming CE courses, check the VIN Course Catalog.

Katherine James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
VIN Education Director

VIN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 797
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357