Hello, my name is Roberto Barata. I have worked professionally with dogs and other species since 2003, and it continues to be an integral part of my life over these years. All my education foundations are in animal behavior. I always conjugated theory and practice to understand better the real challenges and the continuous improvement needed, allowing me to create systematic models for my work, which I have the privilege to share with all the interested.
I’m a proud alien living in Denmark and working in synergy with the etologi.dk. I provide animal behavior modification and consulting services, field research, on-campus/online courses, and technical manuals for owners, animal behavior technicians, students, veterinarians, pet sitters, animal shelter volunteers, and other professionals in the animal field worldwide. I also reserve time for several institutions' pro-bono projects and research/guidance.
I’m the institutor of the Human-Animal Science. It is the result of all my experience and knowledge over these years. I implemented in 2009 an applied anthrozoological model in animal training by creating adapted theoretical/practical scientific and empirical models, thus providing efficient critical thinking tools and a different perspective on how we approach animal behavior modification and adjacent subjects. The project has a promising role for studies, courses, and other worldwide educational projects among all the interested individuals or entities.
My work philosophy consists of natural communication, interspecific understanding, and respect for each species’ nature. I use critical thinking as a tool for professional and personal improvement without harmful or coercive techniques, reflecting my ethical and technical limits.
I regularly update my work through scientific study/research and my on-field practical experience/research. I reject the use of extremist and ideological trends/labels, and I don’t jeopardize my professional integrity by supporting the misrepresentation and manipulation of the science and the scientific method in favor of the current politically correct approaches or social, economic, and political agendas.
My best-ever (so far) seminars:
Critical Thinking and the Scientific Method for Animal Trainers.
Teach Without Speech in Animal Training: Speak Less, Observe More.
More than Training, a Humane, Science-Based View.
Animal Behavior and Human Communication in the Veterinary Environment.
A New View About Animal Training: Anthrozoology, Mentoring & Animal Behavior.
Aggressive and Fearful Behavior: Understanding Misunderstandings.
The Dog as Part of the Family: Be An Exemplary Dog Owner (From the etologi.dk program “Hunden som en del af familien”).
The following is my mission in life as I enjoy my passage on this planet:
“Respect for the silence and individuals, freedom in critical thinking and opinion, questioning everything, simplicity, and precision in our actions, without spending our precious time and energy on unnecessary things. Nosce te Ipsum– Know thyself.
Current Functions
Animal behavior modification instructor & advisor.
Institutor of the Human-Animal Science.
Animal technician and scientific advisor on welfare, enrichment, ethogram creator, behavior analysis modification & phenotypic research in the laboratory/clinical environment (US & Europe).
Independent researcher and academic student advisor in the anthrozoology and animal behavior fields.
Voluntary mentor at Animal Behaviour Collective.
Collaborator of scientific definitions at Springer.
Career Awards
Three Honour Commendations from the Air Force Base Commander (2010/2011/2012) while in the K9 team.
CCS/IPDTA Behaviour Therapy Excellence 2020.
CCS/IPDTA Dog Training Excellence 2020.
CCS/IPDTA Education Award 2020.
CCS/IPDTA Humane Dog Training Award 2020.
Scientific Publications
Barata, R. (2022). Positive Reinforcement. In: Vonk, J., Shackelford, T.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55065-7_761
Stimulus Habituation (In Revision)
Scientific & Social Network
Publisher at Research Gate.
Registered Researcher at ORCID.
Personal Telegram Channel.
Education & Certifications
MSc in Animal Studies & Research, BSc in Ethology.
Expert Diploma in Human-Animal Studies (Anthrozoology).
Expert Diploma in Bioethics (In Progress).
Diploma in Advanced Applied Ethology (dogs, cats, horses,) Applied Pet Ethology (cats and horses,) Applied Canine Ethology, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and Ethics After Darwin Certificate by Ethology Institute Cambridge.
Professional Dog Trainer & Professional Instructor of Instructors Diploma (Teaching and Research), by ANACP.
Laboratory Animal Science (FELASA A-D).
Specialist Diploma in Advanced Canine Nutrition, Pet Nutrition, Raw Food, Canine Homeopathy, Essential oils, and Herbalism.
Comprehensive Canine Behaviour & Aggression Therapy Certificate-highest honors, and Certified Pet Dog Trainer/Behaviour Therapist with IPDTA Certification.
Animal Assisted Therapy/Activities Certificate.
Military Dog Trainer Diploma.
Academy of Dog Training & Behaviour Approved Instructor.
Auxiliary Veterinary Technician Diploma.
Portuguese Instruction Skills License- CAP/CCP F584684.
Professional Experience
During my professional career, since 2003, I have worked and co-worked in several areas, including schools and companies in the animal field: operational, military, sports, competition, social, educational, breed clubs, pet sitting, dog walking, shelters, hotels, and animal centers.
Former Director of the Portuguese Studies, Scientific Researcher, and Tutor at the Ethology Institute (2015-2022).
Author, Co-Author, and contributor in developing technical manuals, translation, articles, and research, among other work in the dog training and scientific community.
Former licenses of Professional Instructor of Instructors, Certified Juez CCE, Professional Dog Trainer, Behaviourist, and Dog Training Certification in Defense and Surveillance Operations, by ANACP.
Former Canine Good Citizen, Puppy, Urban, Community Canine, Trick Dog Evaluator- license 92303, AKC Temperament Test Approved Evaluator- license 107545, AKC Fit Evaluator, by American Kennel Club (AKC) with official authorization from AKC to use the CGC program outside the US. I’ve implemented the program in Portugal and Denmark.
Former member of institutions such as Animals & Society, APDT, PDTE, and PPG.
Other Certifications: Certified education in Critical Thinking; Leadership, Life Coaching (ACELC, PCELC Accreditation) and Mentoring; Behavior Management and Psychology; Psychosociology at work and interpersonal skills management; Social psychopedagogy; CBT; NLP (ABNLP); Lean Expert; Project and Quality Management; ISO 9001:2015 System audit.