Bentley is a male, neutered, 20 lb., Australian terrier born in 1999. Affectionately called Turbo Terrier, he is just that, a turbo charged bundle of curiosity and energy. Bentley is directly responsible for the level of education that I have achieved and continue to pursue.

How's Bentley is the first question I hear from all my friends and acquaintances. I always ask my dog owner friends how's so and so? It represents the universal camaraderie between dog owners and the genuine interest in each others' pets. Bentley is doing great, thanks to all the educators and professionals that guided me through his adolescence. With the aid of fellow members, students, handlers, behaviorists, ethologists, instructors, trainers, and professionals, of APDT, AIAS, ACABC, and the Animal Behavior Center of New York, my knowledge and understanding of animal behavior, human behavior, animal training, and canine behavior modification have flourished.

Thanks to all the animals and humans that allow me to interact and learn during their difficult and pleasant experiences. Every interaction enhances my dedication to learn more about humans and animals and how I can improve mutually beneficial human-animal relationships.

Sincerely,

Alan J. Turner, SATS LL1
Member: Association of Pet Dog Trainers
Certified Syn Alia Training Systems, Lay Level 1 Trainer

"I am a fortunate person who is able to work full-time in a field that merges and fuels my passions for animals, people, cultures, learning and teaching."

About Alan J Turner, SATS LL1
Alan J Turner (AT) started his canine training career in 1980 as a student and assistant of a local canine trainer for protection and service dogs. Throughout the next 15 years he utilized his experiences as an amateur dog trainer to pursue the occasional hobby of teaching friends and family about canine obedience and training. Although AT pursued successful full-time careers in sales, distribution, investment banking and human resources, his passion for animal training was re-ignited in the late 1990s and he decided to study behavioral science. AT enrolled in several practical and theoretical study programs. Alan studied ethology, animal learning theory, normal and abnormal canine behaviors, canine behavior modification, the biology of behavior, family counseling and related topics. All courses were taught by PhD/MS level instructors.

After completing theoretical courses and practical workshops, AT completed a 6 month mentorship under the guidance of Barbara Giella, PhD, a leader in the modern humane dog training movement in New York City during the 80s and a pioneer in holistic early puppy training.

In 2001, AT established How's Bentley - Dog Friendly Training and Problem Behavior Solutions. AT continues his education by attending seminars and educational conferences and maintaining a close relationship with prominent animal behavior and training professionals.

More recently AT has been working with Kayce Cover, B.S., M.A. studying Syn Alia Training System (SATS). Although AT does not hold specific SATS classes, many of the techniques taught by Kayce are used throughout training and behavior modification programs.

Teaching Philosophy
While working with people and their dogs, I have learned that the most useful information is not the set of instructions for teaching sit, down, stay, heel or come. Static information about training specific behaviors can be found throughout thousands of popular books, web sites and magazines, yet many families fall short with their efforts to raise a well-mannered family companion. Many group and private trainers deliver precise instructions for teaching specific obedience commands but fail to provide families with an understanding of animal behavior and learning. The result is a dog that will perform a few behaviors flawlessly in a group class or quiet home environment; however, the behaviors break down in real-life situations and families become bewildered and frustrated.

Families that do not understand how dogs learn unknowingly teach their dogs to play-bite, jump up and bark excessively. Families that do not understand how best to teach dogs often send their dogs conflicting signals, which can contribute to house-soiling, fear, aggression and other behaviors that ultimately destroy the relationships between families and their companion animals. To prevent this breakdown of human-dog relationships, I incorporate introductions to the ABCs of animal behavior and learning into my training and behavior modification services.

Learning the ABCs of canine behavior and learning is akin to learning the alphabet and phonics. It requires effort to study the fundamentals of a language and it requires effort to study animal science. People who study language skills have the tools necessary for successful communication. Families who learn about animal behavior and learning have the tools for successful interspecies communication, and the knowledge to raise well-mannered companion animals! Educated families are not bewildered and frustrated when behaviors break down, but are well-prepared for their exciting and rewarding journeys as gentle, understanding, teachers and partners to one of nature's most remarkable gifts, the companion animal! The information most valuable to families is the knowledge of how animals learn and how best to teach them!

Teaching Methods

• The methods we teach foster an attitude of cooperation and contribute to partnerships between the animals and the humans. Although the trainers are the senior partners, the trainers work for the animals and the animals work for the trainers.
• The methods we teach are based on the scientific principles of classical and instrumental conditioning.
• The methods we teach require people to think, study, learn and practice in order to be successful.
• All training methods are most effective when the animal's physical, emotional and social needs are well balanced.
• We do not use leash jerks or voice corrections to teach obedience commands. The use of positive reinforcement and negative punishment are the primary teaching tools. The animal receives a combination of food, play, praise, interaction or touch as rewards for performing. The rewards of food, play, praise, interaction or touch are removed or withheld for non compliance. When teaching with positive reinforcement, trainers focus on rewarding (reinforcing or increasing) wanted behaviors as opposed to punishing or diminishing unwanted behaviors. For example, teaching a dog to sit and stay naturally reduces a number of unwanted behaviors such as jumping up or bolting out the door.
• Our services are not best for people who believe that animals are dumb or people who wish to create a master/slave relationship. People that are rigid in these beliefs and desires would probably be happier learning different methods from a different trainer.
• Our services are best for people that desire to learn a few basic concepts about animal learning and behavior as well as methods to communicate with and motivate animals, before training begins.
• Our services are best for people that believe animals should be treated with respect and are open to the concepts that perhaps animals can think, understand and make informed decisions.

Syn Alia Training Systems

Association of Pet Dog Trainers