Hereby listed talks and seminars are standard versions. We can arrange special talks, or talks focusing on specific topics according to your needs, but you have to contact Dr Abrantes in advance.

To book a talk or seminar, please contact Dr Abrantes at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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The Evolution Of Canine Social Behavior

Dog Language

This classic lecture is the comprehensive introduction into the world of canine communication. All aspects of canine communication are shown by means of slides or film (seminar only). Aggression, fear, dominance, submission, friendliness, with all their multitude of expressions, are shown and explained in wolves, jackals, foxes, cape hunting dogs, dingos, coyotes and dogs. This lecture is also a comparative study of canine and human behavior. This lecture is based on Roger Abrantes' book of the same title.

• 30-minute short symposium version

• 1-hour long symposium version

• 2-hour talk version - beginner/advanced

• 1-day seminar - beginner/advanced

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The Brave New World of Dog Training

This new talk and seminar are the result of a thorough research project conducted at the Ethology Institute under the supervision of the speaker. The discoveries made by the Abrantes’ team tested all old principles and theories, and uncovered new revolutionary principles. These discoveries enable dog owners to train their dogs more efficiently and effortlessly—actually, the dogs train them selves!

Roger Abrantes describes and illustrates all techniques, and explains the basic concepts of learning theory, as well as the new concepts his team introduced. To this purpose, the speaker uses multimedia presentations, and an artificially intelligent computer program simulating the application of learning theory. This talk and seminar deal with complex issues. However, and as usual, Dr Abrantes presents the topics in plain English. Talk and seminar are therefore suited to both the experienced and knowledgeable trainer as well as the novice dog owner.

• 1-day, 2-day, or 5-day seminar for everybody with an open mind and no fear of learning.

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Problem Behavior in Dogs

This talk covers the treatment of problem behavior in dogs from common problems like walking the dog and home alone problems to more complicated issues such as aggressive and fearful behavior. The talk is based on the extensive experience and large files of the Ethology Institute. The talk targets professionals such as veterinarians, behavior counselors and trainers but is also useful for the dog owner who is interested in understanding how problems develop or how to avoid them.

• 1-hour long symposium version

• 2-hour talk version - beginner/advanced

• 1-day seminar - beginner/advanced

• 2-day seminar - beginner/advanced

This talk or seminar is always a customized version. Please contact Dr. Abrantes in advance as to the topics and level you wish.

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Police Dog at Work

This talk is based on a true case story experienced by the author and a Canine Police Officer on a patrol mission. Dr. Abrantes illustrates the various learning issues and problems in police dog training by reviewing every action taken by the dog, the police officer, and himself. The talk provides a meticulous explanation of signals and learning tools, as well as an examination of the committed errors, which are all of general character. Besides giving a good insight in police dog training and in the work of the K9 police officer, this talk is also a thrilling and at times amusing narrative.

• 1-hour long symposium version
• 3-hour talk version

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Cat Behavior And Misbehavior

This lecture deals with the normal behavior of the cat and the most common feline problems. All aspects of the development of feline behavior from kitten to adult cat are presented in a simple and systematic way. Problem behavior is dealt with purposefully with immediate advice as to the action to be taken by the owner of the cat, either to prevent or to cure unwanted behavior patterns.

This talk is bases on extensive studies conducted at the Ethology Institute under the supervision of Dr. Abrantes.

• 2-hour talk version
  
  

Horse Behavior And Language

In this lecture Dr. Abrantes takes a comprehensive look at the horse's behavior and communication patterns with focus on evolution. Aggression, fear, dominance, submission, friendliness, with all their multitude of expressions, are shown and explained. This talk also deals with the basic principles of Learning Theory and how we can apply them to horse training.  It is a thorough combination of insight into the equine ethology and a solid application of Learning Theory that turns the methods taught by Dr. Abrantes into efficient and pleasant tools whenever we deal with horses.

In the 2-days versions of this talk Dr. Abrantes also demonstrates in practice how to build a good relationship with the horse by means of a series of exercises from the ground. Participants are welcome to bring their horses after appointment with the organizers of the event.

• 1-hour long symposium version

• 2-hour talk version - beginner/advanced

• 1 or 2-day seminar - beginner/advanced

The Silent Language
This means of communication is also called non-verbal communication or the unspoken human language. Many misunderstandings arise when we listen to someone, but we do not look at them. We have many body and facial expressions that emphasize, soften or contradict what our words say. Body language is universal, but there are differences, which can become embarrassing if we do not know them. Learn how to know what people want to tell you before they open their mouth. Over 200 slides are shown. The Silent Language, as talk and seminar, proved to be an instant success and highly popular among different groups of various trades—business people, police officers, social workers, and behavior consultants.

• 1-hour long conference version

• 3-hour long conference version

• 2-day seminar version

• 5-day seminar version (for companies only)

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Critical Thinking

This is a talk that should be compulsory to everyone that wishes to make good and sound judgments.

• 1-hour long conference version

• 3-hour long lecture version

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Morality after Darwin

This talk is a highly interesting and at times startling analysis and account of our moral concepts before and after Darwin. Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection changed the foundations of biology and the natural sciences forever. Moreover, it also rendered most of our beliefs suspicious, including religion and ethics, in such a way that we could not afford any longer to discard certain questions, as impertinent, without dealing seriously with them. The impact of Darwinism is so vast that only now, more than 100 years after ‘The Origin of Species’ was published, we begin to grasp its repercussions in fully. In this talk, Roger Abrantes challenges and undermines, among others, the concepts of ‘human dignity’ and ‘the image of God’, which are central ideas at the foundations of Western morality. The consequences are unforeseen. Then he proceeds to investigate which moral codex, if any, would be compatible with the new information given to us by Darwinism. The implications of such a moral codex, if possible, would be vast.

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• 1-hour long conference version