Day 1
Friday, February 11th
Click on a description for more information about the speaker.
Please note: All times are in PT (San Francisco, CA time!)
Whilst dogs can end up in shelters for a number of reasons, it is well documented that one of the main reasons for relinquishment is related to problem behaviours. As well as being a contributing factor for dogs ending up in shelters, problem behaviours can also be a massive barrier to rehoming. Developing and implementing […]
The first veterinary probiotic for behavioral, not gut health came on the market in January of 2019, marketed for dogs with anxiety issues. We have long given our companion animals probiotics to help manage gut issues, but probiotics for behavior are new, and the number of products out there aimed at the veterinary market are […]
You have a new puppy and high hopes for the future. What’s the best approach to help your new baby become a fabulous training partner? Every new puppy brings hope that this time we will do it all “right’”. We will avoid any mistakes we’ve made with previous puppies and give this pup the best […]
Dogs, particularly those recovering from trauma, often have a mistrust of humans. We lie to them far too often. We call them to us to put on a leash and end the fun, ask them to face situations they find truly frightening, and often even pet them in ways they don’t enjoy. Dogs tend to […]
Stationing is about calming the mind with structure. Control Unleashed is about keeping the mind calm through predictable sequences and conversational training. The two tools work well together! Reinforcement drives behavior, sure, but emotions drive reinforcement. We want to help our dogs remain in control of their emotions. The CU patterns introduced by Leslie McDevitt […]
Done well, precision heeling is a beautiful dance between engaged partners. This presentation is all about getting you off on the right foot; structuring your dog to “find” the correct position and then adding in tiny bits of complexity; a bit of sideways and backward and eventually, off you go! The method used will be […]
We’re all familiar with the term “reactivity” as it applies to dog behavior. It’s the dog that loses her mind when she sees another dog – or person, or bicycle or horrible, evil skateboard – and barks, lunges, or otherwise becomes out of control at the end of her leash or behind some other kind […]
Backchaining – ah, that is just the thing where you are doing it all backwards, right? Yes, it kind of is, but it is also so much more… Predictability is great for both our and the dogs performance, and clean training loops and reinforcement strategies are some of the strategies we can use to get […]
As positive reinforcement trainers, “rewards” of various kinds are an integral part of our training. The best trainers are great at applying not only the fundamentals of criteria-timing-rate of reinforcement, but also at using reward deliveries and reward placements to their advantage. Our training community as a whole has become very skilled at figuring out […]
Lunch Time Panel Discussion (Via Facebook Live)
Mental Health for the Reactive Dog
Hosted by Melissa Breau, with panelists Amy Cook, PhD., Sarah Stremming, and Sophie Liu, DVM.
This lunchtime discussion will be streamed via YouTube, free and publicly available, even to those not paying to attend the conference. Our panelists will discuss how trainers can handle errors in training in a positive way.
During this workshop ideas will be shared for how to train dogs to participate in creative activities for each category of animal assisted interventions and for pet play. Animal Assisted Education (AAE) has been an evolving field. Come learn some techniques that help prepare dogs that integrate into education programs, from reading dog work to […]
Have you ever been amazed by a video on the internet where a dog performs a complex behaviour chain on only one cue? Did you ever wonder how they got to that? Is that just editing or are those dogs actually doing all that? The reality is that the theory behind putting together behaviour chains […]
Do you or your students struggle with appropriate criteria shifts while shaping? Or isolating the movement you want to mark? Does your dog become frustrated and throw behaviors or give up during a shaping session? While shaping is considered a critical skill for dogs and handlers, it can be challenging to apply. Many trainers struggle […]
Fronts and Finishes are a foundation skill for obedience and rally obedience competition. They are often the difference necessary to achieve a high-scoring round. But let’s be honest, they can also be very repetitive and boring to train for both humans and dogs! Many of us struggle to achieve quality criteria while maintaining a happy […]
Confidence is one of those qualities where it can be difficult to put your finger on WHAT it means or how to develop it. At the same time. it is a critical component to ensuring that a nosework dog is successful, either at competition or at utilizing the activity for deep enrichment. It turns out […]
Can you make your dog laugh? Can you interact without your dog going over the top, or just leaving you for better things? Social play is fun and therapeutic, but doesn’t always come naturally to us! Come learn with Amy how to connect to your dog by playing like a dog! Games like fetch, tug, […]
Ever wondered how you could possibly “speed up” your dog’s training or understanding of XYZ? Ever wondered how you could improve your dog’s decision making? I fully believe the ticket to speedy training or acquisition of skills if you will, lies within thinking about training as concepts otherwise known and often referred to as “Concept […]
The Link is the connection between animal abuse and interpersonal violence including domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and other forms of human-directed violence. Essentially, where animals are harmed people are at risk, and where people are harmed animals are at risk. Despite society’s increased knowledge and acceptance of this connection, there is little training […]
Dock Diving is a fun and exciting sport that allows a dog to revel in the natural joy of retrieving and swimming. Despite the apparently simple nature of this sport, there is a lot we can train to make it appealing to more dogs and easier, safer, and more successful for the dogs to take […]