Members
Pet Owners
- Dog Trainer Search
- Choosing a Trainer
- Chronicle of the Dog
- Dog Training Career
- Industry News
- Pet Memorials
- Rally Obedience
- more...
About APDT
2009 Conference
2006
Conference
Agenda from 2006 Conference
Download Agenda Grid 
(4 pages - 70 KB)
Below is the schedule of events from the 2006 Conference.
Last updated: July 10, 2006
Key to Class Levels
New Trainer Development 
This track is specifically designed for those new to the profession of dog training, those who would like to brush up on their foundation skills, as well as anyone who is planning to take the CPDT test.
Intermediate Track 
This track will provide intermediate education to professional dog trainers and others working in the pet profession.
Scientific Track 
This track provides somewhat more advanced theoretical and empirically grounded education into the basis of training, and understanding the context of animal behavior research.
Wednesday, September 13
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Welcome
Keynote Address
Don’t Wanna—Don’t Haf’ta: Does Training without Corrections Spoil the Dog?
Susan Garrett
The use of physical or verbal corrections in dog training is a hot topic that has the power of sending any room full of dog trainers into a heated dispute. If you are decidedly on the “don’t believe in physical corrections” side of the fence, how do you deal with your pet or performance dog when he makes the decision there is something in the training he doesn’t "wanna" do! What is the choice of the dog trainer then? How can we be a “dominant” “pack leader” to our family pet if he believes there are times when he doesn’t "haf’ta" do what we want him to do? How are we going to achieve all of our competitive dog sport goals if the dog doesn’t "wanna" do what we want him to do?
Key concepts; your dog is a reflection of your ability, positive is not permissive, how food luring interferes with greatness, all work should be a game, the importance of controlling reinforcement, and the D.A.S.H. principle will help you to grasp the philosophy that drives Susan’s dog training. Understanding how the effective use of your dog’s rewards will transfer value into a cherished relationship with your pet will also help develop the kind of consistent reliable performance you have always dreamed would be possible both at home and in the ring.
This thought provoking presentation promises to launch a few epiphanies and possibly a paradigm shift or two.
Awards Ceremony
A Discussion - The Evolution of the Dog and How if Affects Our Pets
James A. Serpell, PhD, Ray Coppinger, PhD, and Janice Koler-Matznick, CPDT
Moderator: R.K. Anderson, DVM
Kitten Socialization
Steve Dale, CDBC, CCBC
Steve Dale teaches classes for kittens based on Guidelines created by the American Association of Feline Practitioners. If puppies can attend kindergarten, why not kittens? Just as socializing dogs saves lives, the same turns out to be true for cats. For one thing, people are more likely to tote their cats to a vet's office if they're willing subjects. The classes are an effective method for kitties to be desensitized to their carriers, to strange people even to dogs. Getting out in the world is enriching! When it comes down to it, puppy classes are about teaching people - same is true here, and topics included are why de-claw is not necessary and litter box 101. What's more, you can train a cat to do things; the benefits of clicker training for cats are discussed.
APDT Membership Meeting
Meet the Board Candidates
Thursday, September 14
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
Can We Talk? What Is Humane Dog Training Anyway?
Donna Duford
Level:
When asked, most dog trainers say they want to use humane training methods. Unfortunately, there is still much disagreement and judgmental finger pointing in our field, and increasing pressure to "be positive." While the term "positive reinforcement" is commonly understood, the word "humane" is subject to interpretation. This presentation will take a nonjudgmental look at training techniques and equipment, and discuss how perception and experience color our determination of what is humane. Let's take a look at how "the other side" may see things, and how we can be open to ideas and techniques that may help our human and canine clients.
Drive: Building, Controlling and Maintaining It
Susan Garrett
Level:
Handlers and instructors can be heard making excuses for a dog that lacks drive in class, suggesting the dog maybe too "hot" or too "tired" or "not toy motivated" to work. Take this same apathetic appearing dog, turn a squirrel loose in the class and just watch that puppy's eyes light up! Often times a dog's lack of arousal is due only to a lack of understanding as to how one motivates such a dog. The challenges faced by a dog that seems to have no drive is no less then the challenge of the owner trying to control that same dog when there is a squirrel loose in the class! Drive is an important part of dog training both for pet dogs and for competition. Knowing how to build it, and when it's necessary to control it and maintain it throughout a class or a career in dog sports is the topic of this workshop. Building on the Don't Wanna, Don't Haf'ta lecture, Susan will continue to unveil many of the Say Yes! Dog Training fundamentals.
The Science of Dog Behavior
Ray Coppinger, PhD
Level:
There are many ways to study dog behavior. Ethology, sometimes called behavioral ecology and sometimes behavior genetics, is a biological approach to measuring behavior. Most of the people interested in dogs are interested in modifying their behavior called "Behaviorism." 'Click and treat,' is the classic technique used to teach tricks. In contrast, people who train pointers or sheepdogs or other hunting and working dogs rely on innate behavioral characteristics called motor patterns. A border collie herding sheep may not even be conscious of what it is doing? But, even though dogs may not be conscious of what they are doing, there is a chance that, like humans, they have a rich array of emotions.
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Human-Animal Mutualism: Putting the Benefits of the Human-Animal Bond to Use in Moments of Crisis
Janet Velenovsky, CPDT
Level:
We have all seen information from recent studies on the benefits of using animal-assisted therapy to reduce stress in the workplace, in healthcare situations, and in times of significant stress. Want to get involved? We will consider the requirements of organizations that certify therapy animals, plus elaborate on the temperament qualities required for this kind of work - for both pets and people. We will contrast the difference between casual visitation, animal-assisted therapy and crisis response work. Personal experiences with Hope Animal-Assisted Crisis Response will show the organizational structure and training processes of one such group to illustrate the complexity of logistics involved in crisis response.
Husbandry
Emma Parsons, CDBC
Level:
Do you hear a lot about dog anxiety at the veterinarian's office? Turn this dreaded event into a fun, clickable training session. Even the naïve dog can respond favorably to clicks from the veterinary technician and treats from the owner to facilitate examination and treatment. An owner can click there dog for relaxing during an exam, administering medication, shots, blood draws, nail trims, and remaining motionless for eye, ear, and mouth exams. Owners can also learn how to successfully identify and target their dog's particular weak spots so that they will no longer present a problem during a veterinary visit. Clicker training offers many benefits in this clinical setting.
Backyard Science
Janice Kolar-Matznick, CPDT
Level:
Dog trainers, with their access to a variety of dogs, are excellent candidates for collaborating in dog behavior studies. Professional researchers often welcome additional data and careful replication of published studies with different subjects may provide valuable insights into dog behavior. Dog trainers are in a unique position to assist researchers by recruiting subjects for behavior studies. Trainers can also replicate published studies themselves, or design their own studies. This presentation explains the basics of the scientific approach to studying dog behavior, including deciphering journal papers and how to stay informed of the newest research. Portions of videos of two replicated dog cognition studies will demonstrate how published methods can be adapted for "backyard" research.
3:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
YOU Can Beat BSL
Steve Dale, CDBC, CCBC
Jamie Damato, CPDT
Level:
Steve Dale and Jamie Damato talk about how they're succeeding at defeating BSL in Chicago. They'll describe how to mobilize the community, the press and how to build coalitions to fight BSL, including involvement of dog trainers. It's ironic, the colored bull terrier who won Westminster would be profiled as a 'bad dog' and require muzzling or not even be allowed in some cities. Some are worried about the avian flu or canine influenza when BSL is a far greater threat to all dogs.
Knick-Knack Paddywack - Train Your Pup At Home
Allen Bauman, CPDT
Level:
Using a format of nursery rhymes, Allan has designed child friendly exercises that adults can easily demonstrate to children. The exercises, which children can easily accomplish, effectively help adapt their dog into their everyday play activities.
A View from the Bridge
Karen Pryor
Level:
Two completely different kinds of animal behavior science have arisen in the last fifty years. One, ethology or animal behavior, focuses on innate or genetically governed behavior common to all members of a species, such as aggression, dominance hierarchies, courtship, social organization and so on. The other, behaviorism or behavior analysis, concentrates on acquired or learned behavior, and the mechanisms of learning and reinforcement in all animals. To understand the whole animal we really need to understand both sciences. As a participant in both disciplines the speaker will talk and show examples of the interweaving of both in the behavior and learning of dogs and other animals.
Friday, September 15
8:00 a.m. -12:00 Noon
Observing the Details of Dog Behavior - From Sociability to Aggression
Sue Sternberg
Level:
Through the use of extensive video archives, this workshop will give objective details to look for an observing behavior and temperament. For the dog trainer as well as in the shelter setting, learning to read the subtle signs of sociability and aggression can help determine a prognosis, put together a proper training and behavior modification program, and predict the safety of the dog in a home.
Click to Calm
Emma Parsons, CDBC
Level:
In this presentation, Emma will share the tools and techniques that she learned in rehabilitating her severely aggressive Golden Retriever, Ben. Through her work with Karen Pryor, Emma was taught how to use the clicker to calm, alter, and re-shape his reactive displays, and those of her client's dogs.
Both dog-to-dog aggression issues and dog-to-people aggression issues will be discussed. Topics include: effective home management, exposure to the aversive stimulus, automatic eye contact whenever the aversive stimulus (now the cue) is presented, foundation behaviors, and turning the handler's stress cues into calm cues. We will also discuss the challenges of managing a multi-dog household.
Acupressure for the Canine Athlete - Health at Your Fingertips
Douglas Knueven, DVM, CVA, CAC
Level:
Participants will learn the background and scientific theories regarding the effects of acupressure. We will explore the locations and functions of many potent points as well as how to use acupressure to maintain strength and performance.
"I Was Lured!"
Ian Dunbar, CEO CAAB Inc., BSc, BVetMed, MRCVS, PhD, CPDT
Level:
Pet dog training is one of the most complicated, challenging, sometimes frustrating, yet most thoroughly rewarding of endeavors. Pet dog training differs markedly from teaching competition or working dogs, from training marine mammals, and from computers auto shaping rats in laboratories. Consequently, pet dog trainers would seldom teach a pet owner to train a dog using the same methods that they use to train their own dogs. Pet owners are not dog trainers; they seldom have the education, experience, expertise, or inclination.
Without a doubt, lure/reward training is easiest, quickest, most effective, and most suitable training technique for pet dog owners to produce equipment-free and gizmo-free, reliable, off-leash distance control. The first three (of five) stages of lure/reward training will be described: 1. Teaching the meaning of instructions (ESL)--what we want the dog to do, i.e., phasing out food and toys as lures; 2. Teaching the relevance of instructions--for the dog to want to do what we want him to do, i.e., replacing toy and food rewards with Life Rewards (integrating training into lifestyles); and 3. Enforcing without force.
Many pet dog trainers are still struggling to achieve an optimal balance between education and experience, between the use of rewards and punishments, and between making training fun while still producing precise and reliable results in timely fashion. None of these variables, techniques or goals need be mutually exclusive. Appropriate reinforcement schedules for pet dog training (utterly random or short-term differential) will be described and the effective application of dog-friendly and trainer-friendly punishment and negative reinforcement options will be illustrated.
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Dogs: Social Experts
Sheila Harper, BED
Level:
Appropriate practice of social skills in daily interactions is the best way to help a dog develop good relationships with others. Social walks encourage the development of calming signals and other skills. Good adult behavior is practiced and encouraged. Dogs gain self-confidence around others, becoming adept at conflict solving.
Meeting Your Students' Needs by Teaching to Their Learning Styles
Don Hanson, CPDT, BFRP
Level:
Not all of our students learn the same way. This presentation will explore different styles of learning (visual, auditory, auditory/visual and physical) and provide you with ideas for encompassing all learning styles in your classes.
How Dangerous is He? Assessing the Risk of Injury by Aggressive Dogs
Wayne Hunthausen, DVM
Level:
The potential to cause injury must be evaluated for pets that exhibit aggressive behavior. This session will focus on variables that can be used for assessing the danger that an aggressive animal poses to family, other animals and unfamiliar people.
Solving the Mystery: Taking a History
Nicole Wilde, CPDT
Level:
Solving canine behavior issues is akin to solving a mystery. In addition to having good training skills, a trainer must be a bit of a sleuth. Taking a thorough history enables the trainer to pinpoint major and secondary issues and to discover issues of which the owner might not be aware. In this interactive seminar, you will learn how to set the stage for optimum information gathering; how to use neuro-linguistic programming techniques to put clients at ease; what non-verbal clues to watch for; what responses should send up red flags; what to ask, how to respond, and how not to respond; and how to interpret the information you receive. You'll also participate in that ever-popular video game, "Spot the Trainer's Mistakes!" Incorporating these valuable skills and tips into your history-taking interviews will greatly improve your efficiency in treating behavior issues.
3:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Opening Doors: Accessible Dog Training Classes for Persons With Disabilities
Mary Lee Nitschke, PhD, CPDT, CAAB
Level:
This presentation will discuss information and contain exercises on how to accommodate students in your training classes who have ability challenges. We will talk about the guidelines from the community of pet owners with disabilities or challenges, and what we find to be the most helpful in training classes. We will also explore the ADA guidelines, more specifically, the Federal policy guidelines in the Americans With Disability Act that pertain to pet training sites. Additionally, we will explain the legal requirements with respect to ADA status, and the meeting accessibility challenges in your facility. We will also share resources such as references, contacts, and organizations for the APDT members.
Training 101: The Practical Side of the Science
Ken Ramirez
Level:
Trainers have increasingly recognized that good training has a strong basis in science. The challenge for many is deciphering the difficult terminology, understanding the theory, and knowing how and when to apply it properly. This seminar will highlight the basic operant conditioning principles that every trainer needs as well as focus on how to put the science to its best use for behavioral problem solving.
Understanding Aggression in Dogs
James Serpell, PhD
Level:
The different motivations underlying aggressive behavior in dogs are the subject of much controversy. This presentation will attempt to clarify what we do and do not know about the endogenous causes of canine aggression using evidence derived from a study of more than 1,500 dogs belonging to eleven common breeds.
Working With Shy & Fearful Dogs: Tips, Techniques & Misconceptions
Donna Duford
Level:
Treating fear and anxiety can be challenging in our fast-paced world, and often requires creative approaches. In this broad view of working with shy and fearful dogs, Donna will present a range of techniques and challenge some common conceptions about fear and how to treat it. Topics include Classical vs. Operant Conditioning, Thresholds, and Techniques for the Real World, and Helping the Anxious Owners of Anxious Dogs.
Saturday, September 16
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Arousal & Aggression in the Sport of Agility
Sue Sternberg
Level:
While the sport of agility has done much to enhance the relationship between people and their dogs, it has also created some problematic and sometimes dangerous situations in classes and trials. This workshop covers how to better understand the differences between arousal and aggression and how to observe if a dog is truly a danger to other dogs.
Clicker Training and the Pet Owner
Karen Pryor
Level:
How can you use clicker training if you are dealing with the average pet owner? How could clicker training fit into a basic pet obedience class? We will discuss tactics, techniques, and practical exercises for using the powerful tools of operant conditioning, not just with dogs but with their owners. Changing basic mind sets is just part of the job, for trainers, owners, and pets; we can also use clicker technology to make the experience reinforcing and entertaining for everyone including ourselves. Learn how to incorporate operant conditioning into the good programs you already have. This workshop will include games, practical exercises, and class-tested ways to get them clicking, get them learning, and get them signing up for more.
Describing Dog Behavior: The Ethogram
Janice Kolar-Matznick, CPDT
Level:
This interactive seminar will provide participants with an understanding of how dog behaviors are described scientifically. The basic methods of systematic observation and recording behaviors will be covered and with the use of video clips, participants will get practical experience in describing both common and unusual dog behaviors.
Fido's Fear Factor: Treating Canine Fear Issues
Nicole Wilde, CPDT
Level:
Many trainers find anxiety, fears, and phobias to be among the most challenging behaviors to treat. But fear not! This information-packed presentation incorporates lecture, photographs, and video footage to explore these issues. Topics include causes and prevention; how fear manifests; recognized and lesser-known canine fear signals; how to work with fearful dogs in clients' homes; a Firm Foundation program on which to build confidence; skills to teach owners; skills to teach dogs; and what training equipment are (and are not!) appropriate. We will touch on the basics of desensitization and counter conditioning, and discuss specific fears dogs have of visitors, of a specific family member, and of being handled. You will also get an overview of how complementary therapies can make your treatment plans even more successful.
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
How An Enriched Environment Can Really Make a Difference
Sheila Harper, BEd
Level:
The enriched environment has many benefits for the social and psychological development of the dog. Experiencing new things safely builds self-confidence, encourages exploration and choices and helps to create a well-balanced dog. Its proper use in the class situation will provide a quiet, calm, stress-free environment for optimum learning.
Fears & Phobias: An Overview of Why Pets Become Fearful & Protocols for Treating Them
Wayne Hunthausen, DVM
Level:
Fear can contribute to a variety of behavior problems including aggression, destruction and asocial behavior. During this session, a variety of fear-related behaviors (fear of people, fear of loud noises, thunderstorm phobia) will be considered as well as their etiologies. Common sense approaches to behavior modification, pharmacologic protocols and prevention will be discussed.
Stress Symptoms Caused by the Use of Electric Training Collars on Dogs in Everyday Life Situations
Esther Schalke, PhD
Level:
This class will review the research that has been conducted into the efficacy and welfare implications of the use of electric shock collars. After which the reasons why the Institute of Animal Welfare and Behavior at Hanover University of Veterinary Medicine decided to expand on this research. Their methods, findings and the implications for the use of these devices in practice will be discussed in detail.
Know Your Dog - A Proactive Approach to Canine Health
Thom & Cindy Somes
Level:
A dog's behavior and physical health are closely tied together just like human's. Having a strategy to assess these health issues will greatly increase your ability and knowledge as a Pet Care Professional. Thom will explain how to quickly recognize these signs as soon as they are present as well as several things you can do to be proactive in your dog's health and wellness, including the successfully proven "Snout-to-Tail Assessments."
1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Hands on Workshop @ local Shelter
Reward! (But Do It Properly) Controlling the Drive
Allen Bauman, APDT Charter Member, CPDT
Level:
In order for a reward to be effective, the dog must have some motivational drive towards it. What behavior is your dog offering during the presentation and receipt of these rewards (drives)? Inappropriate rewarding can result in poor control of your dog's drives.
Pre-Registration Required - See Registration Form.
Limited to 100 - Transportation Provided
3:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Biology of Emotion in People & Dogs
Patricia McConnell, PhD
Level:
Ever looked at your dog and wondered how much of her emotional life is like your own? Learn the biology of emotion in you and your dog, and why it's reasonable to believe that both species share the emotions of love, fear, sadness, happiness and anger. This presentation will introduce Patricia's new book: For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend. Be the first to learn what emotions are, how the brain controls them and why we share so many of them with our dogs.
K9 Games
Ian Dunbar,CEO, CAAB Inc., BSc, BVetMed, MRCVS, PhD, CPDT
Level:
Games are extremely enjoyable and motivating for dogs and their owners, as well as for observers. Playing games generally brings out the best performances in both people and dogs. In addition, playing games is a really fun way to objectively quantify the reliability and precision of performance. For example, there will be only one fastest recall and only one longest sit stay. However, regardless of comparative rank of performance (compared with other competitors) the most worthwhile reason to play games is to establish a personal best that may be improved upon. Test-Train-Test.
Natural Nutrition for Dogs - Food For Thought
Douglas Knueven, DVM, CVA, CAC
Level:
Commercial pet foods claim to be 100% complete and balanced, but are they as nutritious as they seem? What type of diet is really best for a performance dog? You'll think twice about serving up kibble after this talk.
Sunday, September 17
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Evolving Essentials: Meeting the Needs of the Modern Dog Owner
Nicole Wilde, CPDT
Level:
Today's typical fast-food, DSL-download family is always on the go. They need results--yesterday! Trainers must make training functional, fast, and realistic to keep up with the times. Come and learn how and when to use environmental cues; which old training tenets to dismiss and why; how and when to use fast fixes; and which learning games are essential to give your clients what they really need. We will consider whether some training exercises that have traditionally been taught in private and group classes serve the needs of the modern dog owner, and how to modernize your class curriculum. In the home environment, it is not enough to teach basic exercises; we must teach owners how to apply those skills to everyday situations. We will also take a look at how you can and should evolve as far as tools, techniques, and knowledge. Today's fast-paced climate calls for forward-thinking trainers. Don't be left behind!
"Here Kitty, Kitty!" Developing Enrichment & Training Strategies for 'Man's Other Best Friends'
Janet Velenovsky, CPDT
Level:
Great jokes and caricatures aside, cats can be trained to perform behaviors on cue - and we can prove it! Videos of cat agility and clicker-trained cats will substantiate the discussion on motivating and training cats. And we can't forget the benefits of enriching feline lives to encourage interaction and using training to make it easier to provide medical care and grooming.
Temperament
Esther Schalke, PhD
Level:
Following the imposition of a breed specific Dangerous Dogs Act in Lower Saxony the Institute of Animal Welfare and Behavior at Hanover University of Veterinary Medicine tested over 1,000 dogs of the proscribed breeds for aggressive behavior. One of the key discoveries of this research was the limitation on what such tests can show. How the tests were conducted and the results of the data analysis that led to a change in the legislation will be discussed in detail.
10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
I've Just Attended the APDT Conference & My Head is Spinning!
Donna Duford
Level:
You've attended the APDT Conference or another educational event or seminar. The abundance of information can be overwhelming. It can be difficult to sort it all out, to discern what is useful (or even logical) to recognize which techniques apply to most dogs and which are suitable for only certain dogs and handlers, and to know what to do with conflicting information. As trainers, we have a responsibility to make the best decisions for our clients and their dogs. In this talk, we will take a critical thinking approach - using reasoning and thoughtful questioning - to decide whether to follow, discard, or set aside information for a different dog or a later stage in our training.
Variety, Variability & Creativity: Hidden Challenges and Unexpected Opportunities
Ken Ramirez
Level:
We hear the saying that "variety is the spice of life" - but how does that apply to animal training? This seminar will focus on important aspects of variety for trainers at every level. For the beginner, this lecture will include an exploration of methods to provide variety and how that variety can enhance your animal's motivation. For the experienced trainer, Ken will discuss creative new ways to challenge both the animal and the trainer. For all trainers, the seminar will explore learning that takes place both during and outside of planned training sessions.
Promoting Your Services Through Effective Marketing
Don Hanson, CPDT, BFRP
Level:
Successful businesses need to be constantly marketing if they are to continue to grow. This presentation will teach you how to get more clients by more effectively marketing your business. We will discuss how you find your market niche and how you let the world know about you through advertising, public relations and value-added marketing. Marketing does not need to be expensive to be successful. Examples of marketing techniques we have used at Green Acres Kennel will be reviewed.
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
General Session:
Why Are We Stupid In Love With Our Dogs?
Patricia McConnell, PhD
It's no less than a biological miracle that we love dogs as much as we do. As we saw in the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, people are willing to risk their lives for their dogs. From a biological perspective that's truly amazing. This presentation is an inquiry into why we love dogs as much as we do, and will examine the biology and psychology of the emotional connection we share with our four-legged best friends. Going far beyond the usual "unconditional love" explanation, you'll come away with a completely new perspective about why you put up with dog hair all over your car seats.
Contact Us | Privacy | Legal | Site Map
© 2008 APDT. All rights reserved.