Saturday, October 20
7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
General Membership Meeting
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. (Concurrent Sessions)
The Lost History of the Dog (INT)
Description of Presentation:
Although dogs arose during human time, we have no records of how they came into being. Over the last few years I have been traveling the world picking up pieces of the lost history of the dog. I shall report from Siberia, where I saw the famous tame foxes; Moscow and Nassau where I followed street dogs; Melbourne where I met dingoes, and several other locations that have helped me come to a deeper understanding of the origins of the ubiquitous - but also mysterious - dog.
Scientific Abstracts: The Myth of Gender in Companion Animals & The Plight of the Big Black Dogs' in America (SCI)
The Myth of Gender In Companion Animals: The Effects Of Anthropomorphism On Spay/Neuter Rates:
As a result of the human predisposition toward anthropomorphism, many American men are reluctant to neuter their dogs because dogs allow them to present an appropriate male image, perform gender, and maintain patriarchy. The ability to anthropomorphize animals substantially influenced human development by fostering evolutionary leaps that would not have occurred otherwise. Dogs best serve as male anthropomorphic gender markers because they were engineered to live, work, and associate more closely with humans than any other animal. Anthropomorphism has led to a myth in Western society that companion animals have gender identities analogous to our own. Attributing human gender concepts onto pets is inappropriate because sex is biologically based, and gender is culturally constructed. Because pets do not construct culture, they cannot experience gender. While inaccurate, pet gendering has allowed many men to use their dogs as props to project their own gender identities. Dogs as members of the human social system in Western culture are vessels through which men construct gender. By anthropomorphizing human gender concepts onto dogs, dogs reinforce their owner's sense of masculinity as dogs epitomize masculine qualities such as strength and loyalty. Because dogs are direct reflections of their owners, many men are reluctant to sterilize their male dogs because it would effectively emasculate them, thereby preventing the owner from adequately presenting an appropriate male image, constructing and performing gender, and maintaining patriarchy. Anthropomorphic barriers to companion animal sterilization contributes to the pet overpopulation problem in the United States.
Color-based Canine Discrimination: The Plight of 'Big Black Dogs' in America:
Big Black Dog Syndrome, is defined as the extreme under-adoption of large black dogs based not on temperament or health, but rather on the confluence of a number of physical and environmental factors such as size, color, the kennel environment, and the "genericness" of black dogs, and the Western symbolism of black as representative of evil. This study elucidates the underlying predispositions that create, reproduce, and reinforce the discrimination against large black dogs in American animal shelters, and includes an examination of Marshall Sahlins', Claude Lévi-Strauss', and Lakoff and Johnson's theories on language, metaphor, and color symbolism as they inform American social memory. There are many contemporary, as well as historical examples in art, literature, and folklore that reach hundreds of years into the past that establish a strong historical precedent for the association of black dogs as negative entities in Western culture. Lastly, tactics are offered that shelters across the United States can utilize to ameliorate the negative effects caused by Big Black Dog Syndrome.
Let' em Eat (SCI)
Description of Presentation:
Research from the ASPCA's Shelter Research and Development department has lead to a significant increase in the number of dogs leaving shelters alive. Attendees will explore the differences between food guarding and possession aggression and learn about a simple protocol that can quickly eliminate the behavior to ensure an increase in live releases.
Understanding Pet Loss; Euthanasia, Grief and Memorializing - Helping Our Clients Helping Ourselves (SCI)
Learning Objectives:
- Tips to help a client recognize when and if it is time to euthanize a companion animal and clear information
about the procedure.
- Understand the grieving process from anticipatory grief through recovery. Learn tools for a healthy grieving
journey.
- Learn about the value of memorializing and ways memorialize companion animals.
Description of Presentation:
There is no culturally accepted method for mourning the death of a pet. As a result, veterinary professionals, trainers and behaviorists feel ill equipped to help their clients when they are facing a loss. This can strain the professional relationship, causing the grieving pet owner to retreat, feel isolated and misunderstood.
We are a society that in general denies grief, avoiding these emotions whenever possible. In fact, we subconsciously expect those grieving (ourselves included) to quickly "deal with it" and "get over the loss." Supporting those going through a loss is difficult without understanding the grieving process, exploring our own history with loss and learning tools to help ourselves and others.
In this lecture you will learn about anticipatory grief, choosing euthanasia, the stages of grief, choices in aftercare and the value of memorializing. Intense grief after the loss of a companion animal is completely normal and natural. After this lecture you will feel more comfortable with loss, empowered to provide support and compassionate understanding, honoring the human animal bond.
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Concurrent Workshops)
Hands-On Workshop (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
Loose Leash Walking #2
Through video, live demonstration, lecture, roll-playing, and hands-on skills-building, this workshop offers a positive approach to teaching owners and dogs polite, loose leash walking. With an appreciation of how the dog views pulling, and what a loose leash means to the dog, attendees will learn to walk together in partnership with the dog. Workshop includes step-by-step procedures to train dogs walk politely in connection with the handler, strategies to encourage consistent practice at home, and exercises using increasing distractions. The result is human and canine students happily walking together in any environment.
Live-Demo Workshop (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
Kids & Canines: Effective Ways of Working with Children #1
Children pose unique challenges to dog trainers. They have shorter attention spans, are distracted easily, and can become either disruptive or withdrawn during dog training sessions or classes. Their unpredictable movements or noises can be difficult for the dogs as well. On the other hand, when motivated properly, children often learn dog training much more quickly than adults. This presentation covers key features of dog training to keep children engaged in the process, such as creating a lighthearted climate, use of demonstrations, importance of repetition, how to be concrete, appropriate use of limit-setting, incorporating fun and playfulness, and important information to include for safety and success. This hands-on session will include demonstrations of work with children and dogs, as well as lighthearted role-plays of various child scenarios. Focus is on skill-building for child-canine work. Participants will work in threes for each practice scenario. Individualized feedback from the instructor will be provided in a positive manner to enhance trainer skill refinement.
Inter-Active Workshop (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
Building and Maintaining Your Business Web Site (Beginner Level)
Do you have a web site? Or are you still frustrated trying to get one up and running properly? Have you tried to register a domain name?
If you have a web site already, are you struggling to understand how to maintain it? If so, then this session is an absolute must for any dog trainer wanting to better understand how to build and maintain their business web site. It is targeted at beginners with no web site development skills.
There are over 20,340,000,000 web pages online today. It is vital to any dog training professional that they ensure they possess a well-designed web site.
Chris will explore, in practical, beginner-focused, down-to-earth, and non-technical language the basics of creating a maintaining your business web site.
NOTE: If you already have a web site and are actively maintaining your site, then consider taking the Intermediate-Advanced Level version of this workshop.
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Concurrent Sessions)
Finding Rookie Enthusiasm as a Veteran Trainer (INT)
Learning Objectives:
- To recognize when instruction is becoming stale, which can impact communication with students.
- To learn how to adjust perspective and jumpstart enthusiasm for training others.
- To learn tips and ideas for refreshing common topics with students.
Description of Presentation:
Have you given the housetraining lecture 1000 times? Taught "sit" a million times? Explained how to stop a dog from jumping a gazillion times? Could you recite your lesson plans in your sleep? Don't phone in your instruction! Learn tips on keeping the profession and your perspective fresh, so you can offer your best to your students.
Stop Talking Start Training (TD)
Learning Objectives:
- How to get students to train silently and how it results in improved communication and rapid learning.
- How replacing verbal language with proper training mechanics essentially eliminates handler error.
Description of Presentation:
The greatest impediment to owner training and dog learning is a breakdown in communication. In addition to inhibiting learning, poor communication is also the basis for the frustration and anger our clients can sometimes feel toward their dogs. That's why dog owners need us! Trainers are good at communicating. And we dog trainers know that our job is really to train our students, not their dogs.
My curriculum takes this understanding to the next level by not focusing on the dogs at all. We focus exclusively on training the handlers, secure in the knowledge that the laws of reinforcement, when properly applied, will result in trained dogs. If the owners do the right thing, the dogs will respond. We teach our students to train silently and replace the "verbal noise" our dogs are used to with precise mechanics. Our students communicate using ONLY the clicker and body language cues. The dogs respond quickly and easily and the owners are excited by the progress. You can almost hear the dogs sigh in relief. By precisely coaching the owners we eliminate most of the mistakes novice handlers make and get fantastic results from the dogs. Additional benefits include reduced stress (dog and owner) and quieter classrooms!
Thinking Outside the Box: Save More Lives (INT)
Description of Presentation:
Free dogs and cats, fewer makes for more, and putting collars and tags on - what do all of these have in common? They save more lives in shelters and they bust myths. Come learn what research the ASPCA Shelter Research and Development department has been working on and how it can impact your work.
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Concurrent Workshops)
Live-Demo Workshop (1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Feisty Fidos® #2
Owning an aggressive dog is very disturbing to owners. It can also be a difficult problem to resolve. People are embarrassed and do not know what to do when their dog is lunging at another dog. Consequently, many of these dogs are isolated from other dogs for the rest of their lives, surrendered to shelters, or euthanized.
Over the past decade, Pia has seen an increase in the number of dog-to-dog aggression cases. Why is there an increase? Can these dogs ever be re-introduced into the canine community? Is this what the owner really wants, or do they just want to be able to take their dog into public with some confidence that fights will not occur?
Obviously, these dogs cannot go into our main stream classes since they can be a disruption to other dogs and people. The client may be embarrassed by the way the dog is behaving and drop out, or the learning process may be inhibited as a result of the arousal and stress level of the dog. It is our job, as trainers, to help these clients find a way to help their loving pet in order to avoid relinquishments to shelters. These dogs are typically emotionally and physically stretched beyond what the average dog owner will ever understand. They need our help! If we do not give them guidance and proper outlets, the chances of these dogs living their lives in solitude increase.
If you conduct a reactive dog class or are thinking about introducing one into your programs, you will want to attend this workshop. Pia has been conducting Feisty Fidos® classes for over 12 years, with great success. This workshop will give you an opportunity to watch and learn as Pia demonstrates some of the exercises taught in her classes with dogs that are "feisty". There will be plenty of time to ask questions and gather new ideas.
Hands-On Workshop (1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Building a Functional Foundation #2
We will cover Lure-Reward and Marker/Clicker Training methods - the differences and why you might choose one over the other. You'll discover options for modifying exercises for different dogs to find what works. We'll also troubleshoot the most common problems trainers run across in a basic family pet class. Trainers will work hands-on in teams of three. You will work with dogs from a local shelter, teaching five foundation skills every dog should know. You will leave with several techniques for teaching Sit, Down, Stay, Come, and Mat behaviors to raw beginners. If you are new to dog training, or want to polish up your basics, this workshop is for you.
Hands-On Workshop (1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Teaching People: More Success-Less Frustration TAGteach #2
There is a general consensus that we should train our pets with a high rate of success while keeping frustration to a minimum. It turns out that the same goes for people. Join us for a workshop where we will attend to the needs of your human student. There will be interactive video, demonstrations and lots of hands on practice as we investigate three specific tools that identify, highlight, and reinforce success in human learning scenarios.
- Focus Funnel- Provides a common verbal structure for you and the student. Its unique language
structure encourages student/teacher focus.
- Tag Points- Specifically designed opportunities for success. Tag points provide the student and
teacher with behaviors that have clear beginnings and well defined endings.
- Audible Marker- Available in many different designs, audible markers provide a non-judgmental
method of identifying, magnifying and instantly reinforcing a targeted response. The marker
also adds an element of fun, encouraging repetition of success.
These tools are being successfully used around the world to improve skill acquisition and retention in numerous applications including competitive sports, medical training, classroom education, and business.
Inter-Active Workshop (1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Improving and Modernizing Your Web Site (Moderate-Advanced Level)
Are you ready to make your site more dynamic and professional? Do you want to do more with your site? If so, then this session is an absolute must for any dog trainer wanting to dive into more advanced features to bring your web site that 'wow' factor and improve your professional online presence. An example is video---and being able to make sure your video plays perfectly on iPads, iPhones, etc. as well as regular desktop computers. Responsive design and an introduction to HTML5 will also be covered. It's all about going mobile...and mobile is everything now. Today the choice of technologies and features available to bring to your website is more diverse than ever. Come along for an amazing journey into the web of tomorrow.
NOTE: If you do not have a web site or are a complete newbie to maintaining your site, then consider taking the Beginning Level version of this workshop.
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Concurrent Sessions)
Skinner and World Collide--Film at 11:00 (INT)
Description of Presentation:
The science is clear. Bring the dog from his kennel to his Skinner Box, and it will perform in very predictable ways-reinforcement strengthens behavior and punishment decreases it. In the Lab the rules and results are crystal clear. So, why the heck won't the same reinforcement get the same result at the dog park, or in our own homes for that matter? The answer is simple-Skinner created the Box to take humans out of the equation. Life with humans is vastly more complex that a Skinner box. Because humans are so inconsistent compared to a Skinner Box, dogs have untold opportunities to self-reinforce behaviors we may not like. In this class you'll learn four cardinal rules and a five-word "language" that sets dogs up for success, as well as how to bring clarity to a muddy world, and why it may be okay to bend the rules a little here and there.
Home Consults (TD)
Learning Objectives:
- Running a private training business takes more than extensive knowledge in dog training; it must include
various business management systems to be financially successful.
- This session will help you set up policies and plans that stream-line the process of managing clients and
appointments.
Description of Presentation:
Home consults offer business opportunities and challenges much different from group classes. Pricing, billing, screening clients, intake plans, cancellation policies, follow up plans and time management are keys components but have very little to do with dog training but so much to do with running a successful business.
Summary of Presentation:
Running a successful private training business takes more than extensive dog training knowledge, it takes business management skills.
Evolution-Based Canine Diets (SCI)
Learning Objectives:
- Participant will learn how the macronutrient balance in pet foods differs from what they were meant to eat.
- The participant will learn that dogs are anatomically designed to eat high protein, low carbohydrate diets.
- The participant will learn the health benefits feeding unprocessed pet foods.
Description of Presentation:
We will start by looking at the lack of nutritional education provided for veterinarians as well as the bias of what is provided. We will then examine the ingredients found in commercial pet foods. Carbohydrates are a prominent ingredient even though the natural diet for dogs would contain very little grain. We will then see the research showing numerous health disturbances caused by diets high in carbs.
Next we will look at the questionable sources of meat and protein in pet foods. Then we come to the additives in foods. Finally we will see how the processing of dog foods destroys nutrients and creates cancer-causing compounds.
We will see that even the experts do not believe that pet foods are 100% complete and balanced. By examining the Association of American Feed Control Officials' regulations it will be obvious that there is no assurance that commercial pet foods are nutritious. A look at research regarding taurine and Docosahexaenoic Acid, two vital pet nutrients, will confirm the suspicions that pet foods often lack key elements.
We will look at evolutionary evidence that demonstrates how different the diets we typically feed our pets are from what their bodies are genetically programmed to eat.
Next we will compare and contrast natural, whole-food nutrition with synthetic vitamins. Research on vitamins A and E demonstrate that natural sources of these nutrients are superior to man-made compounds.
Finally, Dr. Knueven will present case examples from his holistic practice that show in a practical manner the benefits of natural nutrition for pets.
