Day 3
Sunday, February 13th
Click on a description for more information about the speaker.
Please note: All times are in PT (San Francisco, CA time!)
Separation anxiety is potentially one of the most difficult behavioral disorders for owners to live with. Many feel like they are hostages in their own homes and the dogs can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to the property, and even themselves! When I am referred a separation anxiety case from a trainer or […]
We all know that older dogs are prone to certain types of health problems – just like older people! Aging comes with both physical and mental changes that can affect your dog’s behavior, ability to get around, enjoyment of favorite activities, interest in training, and overall quality of life. In this talk, we’ll discuss some […]
Nosework was originally developed as an enrichment activity and quickly grew into one of the fastest growing dog sports. While therapeutic in nature, it also requires skillful training and handling. Training with clarity is a goal for any sports training and it’s no different for Nosework! It’s important we have clear criteria for behavior at […]
Examining the science of play in dogs and other species can provide an appreciation for “why” play may have evolved in the first place. What’s so special and interesting about play? It’s certainly entertaining to watch dogs at play, but is play always about fun and games or is there sometimes more going on than […]
People love to compete with their dogs, and the number of dog sports has exploded over the past decade. At many of these competitions, you will find a professional photographer hard at work in the background, capturing each and every exhibitor and their furry team mate as they perform for the judges. If you’ve seen […]
Many people don’t understand the importance of conditioning until their dog has suffered an injury. They feel that participating in dog sports IS conditioning. That couldn’t be further from the truth. ALL dog sports require specific conditioning to prevent injuries and to ensure that your dog is performing optimally and comfortably. Many dogs are physically […]
This session from Jim Crosby centers around his Doctoral research for the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in the Veterinary Forensics program. Jim’s primary research and work over the last 20 years has been in the field of fatal (and serious) dog attacks: behavior, circumstances, investigation and evidence. This program will discuss the […]
Enrichment is a hot topic in the animal training and behavior fields. In the world of companion animals, there is now more awareness than ever of the need to provide enrichment, especially in shelters. But what exactly is it? The concept is pretty straightforward: learn what the animal’s needs are, and then structure an environment […]
Most of us have had the experience where we cue our dog to do something, only to be met with a confused stare or a hopeful sniff of our hands instead. Then you pull out a treat, ask again, and then magically your dog sits fast and eagerly! It can seem as though the dog […]
Lunch Time Panel Discussion (Via Facebook Live)
The Future of R+ Training
Hosted by Melissa Breau, with panelists Denise Fenzi, Kamal Fernandez and Dante Camacho.
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 the differences between drive and arousal, and what is normal, vs what is… NOT.
Everyday, all over the world, cats and dogs are successfully integrated by simply employing a degree of supervision, effort, and patience. The relationship can end up fairly smooth after just a few weeks and while they may or may not be best of friends, the two species can learn to cohabitate in mutual harmony. There […]
There is no one accepted definition of domestication. It is one of those things we tend to think we know when we see it. Clearly dogs and cows are domesticated, but how about cats and parrots? In this talk I will discuss the problems with how we currently approach the idea of domestication and how […]
When dog trainers discuss training foundation skills for their particular dog sport, it usually involves developing flatwork or basic movement skills specifically for that sport. In addition, it involves introducing the dog to behaviors, equipment, obstacles, or experiences associated with that sport. While these things are critical for the preparation of any dog to compete […]
The growing popularity and accessibility of dog DNA tests are contributing to a wealth of new scientific information. While we’re just beginning to understand what this new information might lead to in the future, it’s already becoming clear that perhaps one of the biggest mysteries of all – how to diagnose and treat cancers in […]
Did you know you don’t HAVE to provide every. single. answer. to every question and whim your clients have? As trainers, we become major support systems for the families who employ us….and with that responsibility comes the unwavering mission to provide our clients with every shred of information. So we take it upon ourselves to […]
In a world where you can reinforce in any number of different ways, how do we choose? When trying to train a dog to recall off wildlife, would you choose high value food? A toy? Access to the wildlife itself? Should food, toys, or access to a competing motivator be used, and in what scenarios? […]
Your clients are scared. They are scared of you, of failure, of running out of money, and in some cases having to release their relationship with a beloved family member. This can make them angry, defensive, or uncooperative. As a result, behavior consults are emotionally charged and can be taxing for both the client and […]
Breeds vary enormously in rates of aging. Much of this variation is explained by size, with the largest breeds tending to be the shortest lived. But even within size classes, there are relatively long- and short-lived breeds. We also see enormous variation among breeds in the way that age effects the risk of specific diseases. […]
Have you ever been in a training session, or in a competition ring, and suddenly realized your dog has become vacant, inaccurate, uninterested and/or unresponsive? This may include: • Moving slowly. • Stalling in the middle of an exercise. • Needing repeated cues for “known” exercises / activities / behaviors. • Sniffing the ground, scratching […]