My
Story
At the heart of everything I do is a love for animals. My love for them pushed me to try to learn everything I possibly could about them, particularly companion animals. I wanted to understand why they behave the way they do, how they respond to certain situations, and how we, as their guardians, can create a better life for them. That love kickstarted an educational and professional journey to today - specialization in applied animal behavior.
Kuiper (left) and Astra, Ally's Sheepadoodles.
Allyson Salzer,
PhD, BCBA-D, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA
Dr. Ally Salzer started her journey in Applied Animal Behavior as an undergraduate in psychology at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. While there, she worked as a researcher and behavior consultant with the local humane association aiming to increase adoptions through research and animal training. From there, she studied canine behavior and pursued a PhD in Behavioral Psychology at the University of Kansas. Her master's thesis assessed canine behavior in group settings at a local dog daycare and her dissertation research focused on the assessment and treatment of canine problem behavior. She has presented data at numerous regional and national conferences and has published in peer-reviewed academic journals. In addition to research, teaching is an essential aspect of Ally's professional career. She developed and taught an animal behavior practicum course at the University of Kansas. She loves mentoring and teaching others to provide the best care for their companion animals.
Ally has nearly a decade of professional experience training dogs and offering behavior consultations across settings. She has worked in shelters, taught group classes, and provided private in-home training for pet owners. She specializes in helping pet owners understand their dogs’ behavior and strengthen the bond between pets and their humans. She has helped hundreds of pet owners learn how to better communicate with their dogs and provides guidance and support throughout the process. Ally is committed to helping pet owners create a safe, happy, and healthy environment for their dogs.
Education, Credentials, and Relevant Publications
PhD Behavioral Psychology
MA Applied Behavior Analysis
University of Kansas
Dissertation: Assessment and Treatment of Problem Behavior in the Domesticated Canine: An Evaluation of Trial-Based Functional Analysis
Thesis: Ideal Free Distribution in Canines: Free-Operant Evaluation of Group Foraging
Credentials
Board Certified Behavior Analyst - Doctoral (1-21-49100)
Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
Certified Behavior Consultant Canine - Knowledge Assessed (1206477)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (1206477)
Publications and Presentations
Publications
Salzer, A. R., & Reed, D. D. (2022). The ideal free distribution accounts for free-operant domesticated dog foraging. Journal of Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 118(2), 327-336. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.785
Presentations
Salzer, A. R., & Reed, D. D. (August 2021). Using a novel apparatus to study ideal free distribution paradigms in canines. 58th Annual Conference of the Animal Behavior Society, virtual online.
Echterling-Savage, K., Salzer, A. R., & Mitchell, A. (August 2021). Assessment tools to reduce subjectivity and danger associated with handling dogs with severe problem behavior. 58th Annual Conference of the Animal Behavior Society, virtual online.
Salzer, A. R., Holt, L. E., Glatter, H. W., Reed, D. D., Johnson, J. (May 2019). Evaluation of a novel procedure to describe group foraging in canines. 42nd annual Society for Quantitative Analysis Conference, Chicago, IL.
Holt, L. E., Salzer, A. R., Glatter, H. W., Reed, D. D., Johnson, J. (March 2019). Evaluation of a novel procedure to describe group foraging in canines using Ideal Free Distribution. Kansas Association for Behavior Analysis Conference, Overland Park, KS.
Bacon, M., Balsavich, J. E., Gaerber, J., Hudson, S., LeGate, K., Markham, E. N., Marose, H., Moline, A., Salzer, A. R., and Lagorio, C. H. (May 2017). Assessing in-kennel behavior of dogs as a predictor of length of shelter stay. University of Wisconsin Eau – Claire Celebration of Excellence in Research and Creative Activity.
Salzer A. R., Falk, K. R., Markham, E. R., Lokken, S. C., LeGate, K. N., and Lagorio, C. H. (April 2016). Training efforts to increase the adoptability of canines. University of Wisconsin Eau – Claire Celebration of Excellence in Research and Creative Activity.