about cia
CIA was founded in 1984 by Don Blair as means to leverage his 30+ years of working K9 experience with a broader community. CIA provides cutting edge training methodologies to working and sport dog handlers that ensure clarity of communication and effective, efficient establishment of required behaviors.
Work is grounded in the generation of a foundation that includes:
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Creating the optimal environment for K9 learning
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Utilizing the techniques of operant conditioning and behavior economics to enforce preferable behaviors and extinguish undesirable responses
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Define and enforce handler specific actions and timing
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Balance positive learning experiences with effective and appropriate corrections (when and where required)
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CIA is dedicated to the delivery of easily understood and applied training protocols that utilize the above criteria. Leveraging the scientific principals that govern learning, CIA is able to effectively define training actions that optimize the ability of the K9 to meet the requirements of the requested task. In addition, CIA possess expertise in the development of training plans to assure ongoing maintenance of desired behaviors.
MEET DON BLAIR, FOUNDER
Don Blair had his start with working K9s as a police officer. Having served as a K9 officer for 5 years, he moved into US Customs and Border Protection and quickly worked his way through a variety of roles including Canine Enforcement Officer, Instructor/Course Developer and Canine Branch Chief. He was responsible for supervision of Department of Homeland Security/Customs Border Protection anti-terrorism inspections and special enforcement operations as well as canine training and research development programs.
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After founding CIA in 1984, Don continued to procure skills in optimizing canine learning through the attendance of numerous courses all over the world focused on operant conditioning. He actively applied these techniques to each position during his career resulting in highly effective and efficient results for teams under his oversight. Through CIA, he brings these same standards of learning coupled with over 30 years of experience to AKC obedience handlers, Schutzhund (IPO) handlers, and most recently with the relatively new sport of K9 Nose Work. Don continues to provide consulting services to multiple industries including personal protection companies, AmTrak, Search and Rescue Teams, police organizations, and the military.
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Don is a United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) judge in tracking, detection, obedience, and protection, as well as an AKC CGC evaluator.