RAA-logo12

 

Roger Abrantes

Ethologist, Ph. D. in Evolutionary Biology and Ethology, BA in Philosophy

If you find yourself frequently perplexed by the subtleties of behavioral science and philosophy, this site is for you. I created it to share the knowledge and experience I’ve gathered throughout my lengthy and eventful professional career and my personal experience.

If you’re reading these lines is because you took an interest in my work.

I wholeheartedly welcome you!

“This modern knowledgeable of all knowledgeable humans made a life of living—and dying—in antagonism, resenting all and the lot. Yet, evolution shows unequivocally that the secret of prolonged survival, throughout centuries and millennia, lies not in living against but in living with. Inexorably accepting and respecting other living organisms, independently of species and race—herein lies the magical formula.”

Online Courses

Online courses for the dedicated student of the behavioral sciences

My online courses are intended for serious behavioral sciences students. Although they are at a graduate level, beginners and undergrads can also profit from them to the extent that they’re prepared to put in the additional effort necessary to catch up on the fundamental knowledge pre-required by the courses.

Evolution

Everything, including behavior, behavioral strategies, learning, communication, and the struggle for survival, only makes sense in the context of evolution. Anyone trying to comprehend life on Earth should take this course, at the very least.

Ecology

Ecology is the study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment. Ecology considers organisms at the individual, population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere level..

Canine Scent Detection

This is the same course I gave multiple law enforcement agencies worldwide, only adapted to civilian use. Scent detection is the best activity you can give your dog to keep it properly stimulated. You take the theory online and the practice on one-on-one sessions via Skype.

Agonistic Behavior

Agonistic Behavior is all forms of aggression, threat, fear, pacifying behavior, fight or flight, arising from confrontations between individuals of the same species. This course gives you the scientific definitions and facts.

Critical Thinking

Critical Reasoning deals with sound and logical reasoning—you learn to analyze arguments rationally, to distinguish valid from invalid, and sound from unsound, to conduct rational discussions, to become a more compelling debater.

Ethology

Ethology is the study of animal behavior in its natural environment. A strong basis in ethology is a must for anyone attempting to understand the behavior of the species we have domesticated.

Canine Behavior

Canine behavior is a comprehensive comparative study of the behavior of wolves, jackals, dogs and related canids. with particular focus on social and agonistic behavior. This is advanced course based on sound scientific research and evidence.

Animal Training My Way

Animal Training is the craft based on Animal Learning and Ethology that deals with the modification of the behavior of animals. This course is about making simple things simpler but not simpler than necessary. It’s about knowing what you want and what you need to get it. It’s about training animals, changing their behavior and creating harmonious relationships, but it’s foremost about training ourselves and changing our behavior.

Ethics After Darwin

Ethics is the branch of philosophy that deals with what is right or wrong, good or bad, from a moral perspective. This course is a comprehensive introduction to ethics, focusing on our prevalent moral ideas, pre and post-Darwin. In his ‘The Origin Of Species By Means Of Natural Selection’ (1859), Charles Darwin proposed a theory of evolution that has had a tremendous impact on all science fields. It also forced us to rethink our moral principles.

VideoIcon
DogBehindFenceFirstFrame

Videos

My videos target the student of behavioral sciences interested in more than shallow explanations and urban legends. They are accessible to all, from the beginner to the advanced student, trainer, or pet owner. Each video provides you with references for you to verify my statements and conduct your further studies.

Articles

Academic papers, blogs and reflections added and updated continuously

I’ve compiled a lengthy selection of articles for you here, ranging from basic blogs and ‘strøtanker’* to scholarly papers, on a variety of subjects and at different academic levels. Each article gives you a reference list for your verification and additional research.

* ‘Strøtanke’ (pl. ‘strøtanker’) is a Danish word that roughly translates to ‘afterthought, ‘reflection,’ or ‘aphorism.’

Books

Paper books are not dead!

You’ll find here a list of my printed books with links, should you be interested in purchasing them.

“Animal Training My Way” and “The Tail that Wagged the Dog” are brand new titles to be published and launched in 2022.

 

Seminars, Webinars, Workshops, and Talks

Over 1000 talks, seminars and workshops worldwide since 1983

I still occasionally give talks or workshops, even though I now spend most of my time with research and writing. To find out if I’m available, contact me.

RAAsince1983
RAAandDogs27Years-1200x640

One-on-One

Though I don’t do much consulting these days, I still want to remain on call in case the knowledge and experience I’ve gathered throughout a long career might be of some help. If you’d like to see my available time slots, kindly click the button below.

FAQ

Once you subscribe to my website, I want you to be fully satisfied with the content you get access to and how I deliver it to you.

I want you to know precisely what you get so you can focus on and enjoy your studies without unnecessary annoyances. Please take the free course ‘Evolution’ before you subscribe, for it represents well what you get on my website.
If these FAQs don’t answer your question, do not hesitate to contact me.

Are courses and articles too advanced for me?

Only you can judge that. The majority of the papers and the courses are graduate-level work. However, I’m confident you’ll gain from them if you’re sincere about wanting to learn. I provide references along the route to help you make up for any knowledge gaps.

How long do I have to take a course?

All the time you need. Whether you buy on-demand or take a full subscription, your courses will be available on your profile page for you to take any time you want.

Do I get a certificate for completed courses?

Yes, you do. You get a certificate stamped and signed by me.

Do I get push-notifications?

Yes, you do if you want. Just click the bell icon at the bottom right of this page, and you’ll receive a notification whenever I publish a new article or video or update a course or lesson.

Can I cancel a subscription

A subscription is only valid for the period you choose. I’d like to see you extend it, but it’s entirely up to you to do so or not. The completed courses are yours forever or as long as this website exists.

Do I get tutor support for my studies?

You bet! I created this website for serious students only, and I’ll follow your progress and assist you as much as you need. Your success is my legacy.

Study, Read, and View On-Demand

This extendable subscription is customizable and gives you access to all articles, videos, and course(s) you choose, or a combination of these, for a period of your choice.

Premium Subscription

This extendable subscription gives you one year of access to all articles, videos, and courses. Second and following years are at a much-reduced fee covering all newer articles, videos, courses, and updates.

Ready to get started?

Get in touch, or create an account

Abrantes