Her behavior modification programs are based on the science of learning. She focused on the use of desensitization combined with classical and operant conditioning. Her approach stressed the combination of positive reinforcement, negative punishment as well as the need to observe animals closely and be aware of how the trainer's body language and movement affect the animal's response. Yin is known for combining science with practical and functional applications on a day-to-day basis. This stems from a deep understanding and knowledge in the principles of operant conditioning and learning, which allowed her to train animals more efficiently and effectively. In other words, she got results quicker. "The speed and direction of your movement and timing and swiftness of treat delivery will make all the difference in the world", according to Yin's blog: How Do I Train Proper Doggy Play Skills Faster? on her own website. Yin was unique in her ability to gather and interpret the scientific data of animal behavior and put it into layman's terms for people to easily understand. Yin graduated from University of California, Davis in 1993 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. She went into private practice only to realize that more dogs were getting euthanized due to behavior problems than medical issues. While working in private practice for a few years, Yin counseled clients on animal behavior problems. In 2001, she went back to school at UC Davis to obtain her Masters in Animal Science under the supervision of Dr. Edward Price. Yin did her thesis in vocal communication in dogs while taking multiple behavior courses, lecturing and working as a teaching assistant at the university for five years. For the remainder of her life, she saw behavior consultations from her office in California. Yin has produced a number of videos, educational booklets and posters to educate veterinary staff, dog trainers, other pet professionals and pet owners on how to interact in positive ways with their dogs and cats. Her methods also improve the quality of life for these pets, while increasing the safety and efficiency for veterinary staff and other animal professionals. Sophia Yin is the author of Low Stress Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs & Cats; The Small Animal Veterinary Nerdbook ; How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves and Perfect Puppy in 7 Days: How to Start Your Puppy Off Right. Her DVD`s include Creating a Pet-Friendly Hospital, Animal Shelter or Petcare Business; Towel Wrap Techniques for Handling Cats with Skill and Ease; Creating the Perfect Puppy; and soon to be released Learn to Lead Like a Partner in a Dance. In addition, Yin was an award winning pet columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle for five years. Yin was voted Bark Magazine`s 100 Best and Brightest. She also had her own publishing company called Cattle Dog Publishing. While writing for many magazines, authoring books and training materials, and producing educational and instructional DVDs, Yin served on the executive board of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and was on the American Association of Feline Practitioners Handling Guidelines Committee. She lectured around the world to veterinarians and animal professionals, teaching seminars and workshops on animal behavior and low stress handling for dogs and cats. Yin also consulted for zoos and shelters. Yin wrote for popular pet magazines, websites, and blogs, lecturing to veterinary staff, animal professionals and pet lovers and teaching the world through literature and videos to better the quality of life for many pets and pet owners. She also served as a behavior expert for numerous zoos, shelters and TV shows such as Animal Planet's Dogs 101, Cats 101 and Weird, Freaky and True. Sophia Yin invented a training product called the Treat & Train, which is a remote controlled reward based training system that helps dogs overcome behavior problems and improves relationships between people and their pets. It is backed by a lab study and clinical trial.
Death
According to the Yolo County coroner's office, Yin died September 28, 2014, of suicide at her Davis home. She was 48.
