What seems like it should be good news for the companion bird world is the number of people out and about speaking to bird clubs and even at conferences about training. What is surprising is how many of these new evangelists for contemporary training methods have little or no experience. They have taken one course or workshop and they hit the road running with their new, albeit shallow knowledge.
Time and again I hear presentations and read articles that, while promoting the best possible training methods, use the terminology of the science of behavior change incorrectly. Now you may say that as long as the intention is correct I should "lighten up" and let the terminology slips go. The problem with that approach is that multiple, inaccurate uses of terms causes confusion for, and that is a bad thing.
So, how can one know if a chosen speaker or consultant "knows their stuff?" There is now a professional credential for bird trainers. I am proud to be the chair of the International Avian Trainers Certification Board (IATCB) and while it is early days it is my expectation that in the future the credential, Certified Professional Bird Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPBT-KA) will help filter those who have a deep understand of the subject to those who are just beginning their journey of discovery.
Sid Price, CPBT-KA
Bravo....Well said.
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