SATS Certification FAQS

Q)  Is SATS certification a dog training certification?

A)  No.  It is a certification in a particular technique (SATS).  One does not need to be a dog trainer to become certified.  One simply must successfully complete the requirements and maintain their earned status.  Anyone who wants to understand and use SATS is welcome to become certified in one or more of the SATS certifications.

Q)  What are the SATS certification?

A)  There currently two types, or branches,  of SATS certifications offered at this time:

1)  Bridge and Target :  Training and management based on a graphic, non-verbal communication system.  This builds into a verbal communication system, which supports the animal in taking learned skills and abilities into new situations.  This is perhaps the richest, most efficient training system of its time.

2)  Perception Modification I:  Using Name & Explain and Bridging to help animals cope.  

other certification branches are:

3)  Perception Modification II:  Teaching and using Conditioned Relaxation to solve animal behavior issues.

4)  Perception Modification III:  Using Cycles to solve behavioral problems.

5)  Behavior Analysis

6)  Instructor

7)  Personal mastery

Q)  What is Perception Modification?

A)  Perception Modification:  Teaching animals to cope with stressors and manage their emotions.  This method offers a lifeline to animals and is the best life insurance we can offer our animal partners.  The damage sustained by animals unable to manage their arousal is huge, debilitating, and sometimes, fatal.

Q)  Are there continuing requirements to maintain certification?

A)  Yes.  One must submit a record of related activities and complete 5 continuing education credits per year.  Credits are also awarded for various training related activities and achievements.

Q)  Are there different levels of certification?  Is there a hierarchy amongst trainers?

A)  Yes, and no.  There are currently three levels of certification within each branch of certification.  These levels are:
1)  mastery of basic knowledge and skills
2)  application of basic knowledge and skills
3)  independent problem solving and training development

All trainers are at various levels, according to their level of certification and experiential credits.  Trainers agree to respect cone another, to work cooperatively, and to teach at the level of their certification.

Q)  How is the first level of certification gained?

A)  There are three steps:
1)  four days of prerequisite seminars for each subject
2)  a four day certification camp – trainers working on site, together, to master the critical information and skills related to SATS.
3)  three tests, all of which must be passed;  one is related to basic information, one is related to being able to relate the tools of SATS , and one is based on being able to explain how to relate, or use, the basic tools of SATS.  

Q)  Once you get past the first certification, how do you get the second level?

A)  You keep a log of your accomplishments and experiences.  Quarterly, you email and updated copy of your log to Kayce Cover, or her representative.  Via personal coaching, Kayce reviews your progress through a series of requirements, which are supplied to SATS trainers via email.  Your log book, and the requirements to advance to level II of your certification, (Trainer Levels Workbook), are sent to new trainers via email, and are kept in the files of the certified trainer discussion list.

More questions??  Come to the chat or email Kayce at kc@synalia.com
Chat:  1 hour;  1 PM Eastern US time, Thursday, May 24, 2012
Subject:  anything you want/need to know about the certification process

Summary:  If you are intrigued by SATS, the way we interact with animals, the success we share with animals, and the way we are able to help animals recreate their lives, then YOU may be a candidate for certification.  Another post will tell a bit about the certification process.

I invite anyone interested in any SATS certification to join me for an online chat at 1:00 Eastern US time  (6pm in NL, BE, FR, DE and 5PM in UK)

To participate, you need to have Skype, which is a free download and easy to use AND you need to “add” me, “kaycecover” as a contact.  Then I will put you in the group, and you just need to be at your computer, with Skype open, and await our call.  You will be added to a conference call where we can all chat together.  If you have a microphone, we can speak together.  Otherwise, you can type questions into the chat box and you can listen to my answers and the rest of the discussion.

This will be my first chat in awhile.  Email me at kc@synalia.com if you can join in.

Best wishes,
Kayce

Certified Trainer Annet Schultze, with Kayce and partner

2012 New York workshops

Location: Manlius, NY, (near Syracuse)

June 25-26,
DOG AROUSAL 1-2 – CASES, DOGS ON APPROVAL; partially fulfills certification prerequisite
This is also an opportunity to work on challenging cases, get to help others and more.

and

August 17-
PRIVATE SESSIONS

August 18-19
DOG AROUSAL 3-4 – CASES, DOGS ON APPROVAL; partially fulfills certification prerequisite

August 20-23
CERTIFICATION CAMP

August 25-26
BRIDGE AND TARGET 1-2

Please email for details (kc@synalia.com)

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

to GET certified: DOG AROUSAL 1-4 (or Calm, Coping & in Command 1-4 or PM 1-4) + 4 DAYS OF CERTIFICATION CAMP + SUCCESSFUL TEST SCORE (YOU can do it!)

to STAY certified: continuing education requirements

Certified trainer Marjolijn and husband, Fons, with dogs

Photo credit: Gary Stolz, US Fish and Wildlife photo

What do YOU think about this video:

An overturned tortoise is boosted from behind by his companion, which helps him to right him (her) self. Do you think the tortoise is purposely helping a friend? Why or why not? How smart are tortoises? Do you know any tortoises personally? Do you believe a tortoise forms friendships?

What about this video?

Let us know what you think!

Daisy with her art

“Have you tasted any of these?” I asked.

“Yes….” And the lady kindly proceeded to explain the characteristics of the tomatoes she remembered tasting.  It was quite helpful!  In particular,  I like very tangy tomatoes, and she recommended some brown tomatoes.  When she told me they grew from seeds in her garden, I was sold and decided to try both their taste and their ease of growing from seed.

We continued to talk, and it turns out that my new friend was from Lithuania, which, it surprised me to learn, speaks a language more romance than slavic.  The conversation easily flowed, and I learned that this lady is an artist who does portraits of people and animals.  I really enjoyed looking at her work, here:  Daisy’s blog  You can go to and see that she draws animals as well as people, and that her name is Ramune (which is Lituanian for Daisy) Sveikyte, pronounced Rah’ moo nay Sveh kitay.  Let me know if you check it out.  Maybe you’ll decide to invest in a portrait!

Daisy also teaches people to dance, and competes.  Cool!  Check it out!
Daisy teaches dance

7 Cities Swing Scene

Here is the irony: I have been a member of this group, on Facebook, for some time, but have never gone because…. mostly busy. Now I have another reason to stretch.

As Daisy said, there are no coincidences! I’m so glad I asked a question. Note to self: Stay open. PS self: get back into dancing!

Fromm Four Star Beef Frittata Veg

Bryan and his father, owner Tom Nieman holding the first bag produced during our ribbon cutting event at the new facility in Columbus.

“Fromm Family Foods – Premium Pet Food – We Answer Your Questions -PodCast Recording by Jamie Dolan: Concerns about what food is safe and nutritious for our pets are ongoing. After a online poll and extensive discussions I created a list of questions about pet food from our community members. I interviewed Bryan Nieman, Creative Director and 5th generation family member of Fromm Family Foods in Mequon, WI to get answers to those questions and create this PodCast recording for you.”

Listen to the full PodCast here:

http://www.pawdogs.com/2012/02/09/fromm-family-foods/

Listen to the PodCast in short easy to listen to chapters here:

http://www.pawdogs.com/2012/02/15/fromm-family-foods-answers-your-pet-food-questions-shorter-segments/

Having lunch 'out'

Recently I was walking with my horse and a friend in the woods. My friend had her phone video, and she recorded some of our activities, allowing me to share this one with you.

My horse is fed at the same time each day, and I was hurrying to get us back to the paddock on time. My horse wanted to stay to graze a bit at a meadow we crossed. I told her it was time for her to be fed and we needed to get back on time. She is probably acutely aware of this anyway, and further, we were directly behind the paddock in which she was to be fed. We were behind it, but could not get in without walking about two tenths of a mile to return to the gate. Knowing my horse could easily catch up, I strode on. Agnes went ahead and was able to videotape my horse running from the pasture to rejoin us. She passed me by, and seemed to be a bit excited – perhaps even from hearing the caretaker approach the other horses to feed.

I praised her for coming with us, but she passed right by. She seemed to slow down to regroup, but my dog suddenly ran out right by my horse’s legs – a favorite feint for my cattledog cross. This seemed to startle the horse, and she dashed off again – but only for a moment. She soon slowed her trot to a walk, circled, and awaited me. When we were rejoined, we continued to the paddock for feeding time.

My horse and I don’t like to be separated. If I walk ahead of her, she soon comes running up from behind. But, I am also at unease. If I don’t see her right away, I usually turn back and make sure there is no problem. On this occasion, I was stricken with the fact that she didn’t run straight back to be fed. Even though it was time. Even though we were travelling toward that end. Even though she was already running. Even though the dog spooked her (not a lot, but still…). Even though she was totally free to run away. Even though she had passed me at a good clip already. Nonetheless, once she caught us, she turned and awaited our company.

I thought of all the barn-sour horses I rode as a child – all the cases where the horses desire to be back at home was greater than any desire to be with me – greater than any care for me or my safety. My horse has shown again and again that she will wait if something happens to me. She will wait even if food is calling her. I think that this kind of friendship – this elastic, unbreakable bond, is what many animal lovers really crave with their companion animals. I think, if people only knew how easy and fun it is to develop a bond with an animal that draws them to us with a strength greater than their love for food, surely EVERYONE would want to develop such a bond. I want such a bond! So, why have I been letting it lapse?

This past year, life has been especially challenging and I had let my relationship with this wonderful horse slip. By spending good time together and intertwining our lives more again, I am relieved to see she forgives my lapses and is still invested in our friendship, as am I.

Not to mention, I love walking in the woods together!

Butter would not melt in this mouth ... think again!

Hard to believe this little face would ever inflict harm.

Believe it!

Even a small dog can be dangerous when aroused. All dogs need to learn to be calm, coping and in command of themselves. We will be offering an online class in coping with dog arousal. Sign up for the newsletter if you want to be one of the first to participate.

A sign-up form will be added shortly, for now, please drop us a message with the Contact Form, letting us know your interested. Thanks!

This dog’s owner had invested a lot of time and energy trying to solve the issues of arousal and aggression with this, and his other, dogs. He had been struggling with this for two years, with little in the way of progress. It was serious – one dog was virtually blind due to a punctured eyeball and a detached retina, when one of the other family dogs redirected toward him. Yet this dog persisted in getting into altercations with the other dogs!

However we made a lot of progress in four days, with the Terminal & Intermediate Bridge, Conditioned Relaxation, Cycles, and Name & Explain. You can learn all about these powerful tools through Kayce Cover and the Syn Alia Training community.

Enjoy this before and after video!

What I love is that the dogs now really ‘get’ the whole issue of self
management, and they are taking control of themselves, even in really
challenging confrontations. Excellent, and exactly the point – we want to arm
the dogs with skills for success.

Outstanding job, everyone!!!

If you have any trouble with the above player, please click here to play it in a different player or to download a Mp3 version.

Julie Kinsey is the official trainer for Rounder’s Ruffians, a top breeder of American Staffordshire Terriers. She’s highly respected by other trainers, especially in the obedience circles, and has put at least 28 titles on 10 different dogs – 8 of them American Staffordshire Terriers (AST’s). These intelligent, passionate, challenging dogs are the focus of great controversy. Insurance carriers won’t insure homes that have them. They were banned in the Netherlands, and multiple US cities. The news is telling us, again and again, about savage attacks perpetrated by ‘pit bulls’. Join us as we talk about these issues and more. Join us in support of the responsible ownership of the dog of your choice – whatever choice that is.

Shown: Julie Kinsey and Rounder’s Etta Jane CD RN

More information on Rounder’s Ruffians Please Click Here.

Contact for Julie Kinsey: minionw@hotmail.com

Julie gives open classes on Wednesdays and Fridays in Houston, Texas. Julie is a certified SATS Level I-III trainer.

I hope everyone has a wonderful 2012. I had a great 2011 and accomplished many things. It’s been a year of change as I’ve moved more and more projects into the digital world. For example I now am producing podcasts which you can come and listed to or download right here on my Synalia site. I recently updated by my facebook pages, which I would encourage you to join me on. My main business page is: http://www.facebook.com/SynAlia and my personal facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/kaycecover. Please join me on both pages so we can stay in touch.

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