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Success in Aggression & Separation Anxiety Cases.With Michael Shikashio (CDBC) & Moira Hechenleitner (DVM, CSAT)
This three-day professional program is designed to take you from first assessment to real-world decision-making in some of the most complex behaviour cases we face.
No shortcuts.
No one-size-fits-all protocols.
Just clear thinking, practical frameworks, and the confidence to make informed, ethical choices.
đź“Ť Sydney, NSW (venue to be confirmed)
📅 Friday–Sunday, 20–22 March 2026
Day One — Understanding the Problem (Friday)
Day One lays the foundation: what you’re really seeing, why it’s happening, and how to keep everyone safe while you figure it out.
- Beyond the Bite: Working with Dog Aggression
Presented by Michael Shikashio, CDBC
Aggression is rarely about a single behaviour — it’s about motivation, emotion, learning history, and context.
In this session, Mike breaks aggression down into clear, workable concepts you can actually use. You’ll explore:
* the many reasons dogs display aggressive behaviour
* the emotional drivers behind aggression and how they show up in the body
* how to read behaviour, body language, and physiological signs with greater accuracy
Through video examples and real cases, you’ll learn how to move past labels and start building effective, dog-centred strategies that support both safety and progress.
The Truth About Separation-Related Behaviours
Presented by Dr. Moira Hechenleitner, DVM, CSAT
Separation anxiety and separation-related behaviours (SRBs) are often lumped together — and that confusion can derail treatment.
Moira clarifies:
* what SRBs actually are
* how they differ from true separation anxiety
* why repeated exposure helps some dogs — and makes others worse
Using real-life video examples, you’ll explore the different emotional and environmental drivers behind these behaviours, setting you up to make better decisions before training even begins.
Safety First: Management in Aggression Cases
Presented by Michael Shikashio, CDBC
Before behaviour change comes management.
This session focuses on:
* essential safety considerations in aggression cases
* environmental setup and handling protocols
* practical use of equipment such as muzzles, barriers, and leashes
* creating layers of safety that protect dogs, handlers, and the public
You’ll leave with tools you can implement immediately — whether you work in homes, shelters, or public spaces.
Home Alone Horrors: Assessing Separation Anxiety
Presented by Dr. Moira Hechenleitner, DVM, CSAT
What you see when a dog is alone is only part of the story.
Moira walks you through a clear, repeatable assessment framework to uncover what’s really driving the behaviour, including:
*what to ask in a history
* what to observe (and what not to assume)
* how to interpret footage objectively
* how to distinguish anxiety-driven distress from look-alike behaviours
You’ll also learn the practicalities of setting up effective live or recorded assessments so you can plan next steps with confidence.
Day Two — Planning, Prognosis & Reality (Saturday)
Day Two focuses on what happens after assessment — when theory meets real life.
The Three Pillars of Separation Anxiety Training: An Integrative Approach
Presented by Dr. Moira Hechenleitner, DVM, CSAT
Once separation anxiety is confirmed, the work becomes structured — and strategic.
Moira explores the three essential pillars:
* Suspension of absences
* Systematic desensitisation
* Medical and veterinary support
You’ll see how these pillars work together in an integrative model that treats the whole dog, supported by a “village” of people around them.
Prognosis and Realistic Goal Setting in Aggression Cases
Presented by Michael Shikashio, CDBC
One of the hardest — and most important — skills in behaviour work is helping clients understand what success realistically looks like.
Mike covers:
* factors that influence prognosis
* how to balance hope with honesty
* communicating difficult realities without losing client trust
* reducing burnout for professionals working in high-stakes cases
This session is as much about protecting you as it is about helping dogs.
Separation Anxiety Demystified: Real Stories, False Fixes, and Keys to Prognosis
Presented by Dr. Moira Hechenleitner, DVM, CSAT
Not all advice is good advice.
Moira tackles:
* common myths and “quick fixes”
* why some approaches fail despite good intentions
* what truly shapes prognosis — for both dogs and their people
Real case journeys show how thoughtful, evidence-based decisions lead to meaningful progress.
Tried and True: Behaviour Change Strategies in Aggression Cases That Don’t Bite
Presented by Michael Shikashio, CDBC
With so many protocols available, choosing the right one matters.
Mike shares:
* his experience with a wide range of approaches
* what holds up over time
* how to select strategies based on the individual dog and case
This is about decision-making, not trends.
Day Three — Application & Problem-Solving (Sunday)
Day Three is where everything comes together.
Let’s Play Behaviour Consultant: Solving Dog-to-Human Aggression Cases
Presented by Michael Shikashio, CDBC
Step into real-world cases and work through:
* history taking
* safety planning
* management
* behaviour change strategy
This interactive session builds confidence in handling complex, emotionally charged cases.
Practice Time! Solving Separation-Related Behaviour Cases
Presented by Dr. Moira Hechenleitner, DVM, CSAT
Through detailed mock cases, you’ll:
* analyse histories
* identify drivers
* decide on next steps
* build initial training plans
This is hands-on thinking, not passive listening.
- Let’s Play Behaviour Consultant: Solving Dog-to-Dog Aggression Cases
Presented by Michael Shikashio, CDBC
Work through challenging dog-to-dog aggression cases with a clear, structured approach — from assessment to action.
- Practice Time: Solving Separation-Related Behaviour Cases (Part Two)
Presented by Dr. Moira Hechenleitner, DVM, CSAT
Refine your thinking, test your assumptions, and leave with greater clarity and confidence in SRB cases.
Why You Don’t Want to Miss This
This program isn’t about collecting information.
It’s about learning how to think in the cases that matter most.
If you work with aggression or separation anxiety — or plan to — this is the kind of event that can change the trajectory of your work.
Proudly presented in conjunction with Positive Dogs
Places are limited so get in quick
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Event Venue
Sydney Masonic Centre, 66 Goulburn St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia, Sydney
Tickets
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