Seminars for Dog Trainers & Dog Enthusiasts in Seattle

Our dog training seminars in Seattle, Washington are for professional dog trainers and regular people who have caught the dog training bug! You're sure to learn a lot about animal behavior and dog training at these fun, info-packed continuing education seminars for dog trainers and hobbyists. 

• "Get SMART" reinforcement seminar on March 5 & 6, 2009 with Kathy Sdao, M.A. [click for info]

• "To Be Mod or Not to Be Mod?" and "Chill Out: Dealing with Overly Aroused Dogs," two one-day seminars on June 6 & 7, 2009 with Pia Silvani. [click for info]

• Dog-Dog Aggression & Play seminar Sunday, September 12, 2010 with Patricia McConnell, Ph.D.   [click for info]

---

Seminar Title: Get SMART About Training: Learn to Use Reinforcement the Best Possible Way!

Seminar Dates: March 5 & 6, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m in Seattle, Washington State (Thu/Fri)

Ahimsa Dog Training of Seattle is hosting this Thursday/Friday workshop for trainers and dog-savvy owners by behaviorist Kathy Sdao, MA, CAAB. 

Seminar Description: Learn to Use Your Reinforcers More Wisely

Over the last twenty years, many animal trainers, particularly dog trainers, have made efforts to increase their use of positive reinforcement while minimizing their use of painful or anxiety-provoking punishments. This evolution toward a more humane approach to modifying behavior has far-reaching impact on dogs and trainers alike.

But when we opt to avoid using “sticks” to motivate our dogs, we must make a commitment to become SMART about the use of “carrots” – positive reinforcers. Animal trainers who understand the science and practical applications of behavioral reinforcement gain the ability to be more creative and less coercive.

The acronym SMART stands for “See, Mark and Reward Training”; it summarizes the fundamental sequence of behaviors a trainer performs when using reinforcement effectively. We’ll discuss in detail each of these core skills – observation of the animal’s behaviors, pinpointing the desired behavior with a meaningful marker signal, and providing powerful rewards.

Through use of lecture, demonstrations and video, this dog training seminar in Seattle will explore all aspects of positive reinforcement: types, frequency, timing, placement, use of conditioned reinforcers, creation of new reinforcers, schedules of reinforcement, satiation, the use of distractions as reinforcers, and what reinforcement cannot accomplish.

About the Get SMART Seminar Presenter, Kathy Sdao:

Kathy Sdao is an associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist with decades of hands-on animal training and seminar-leading experience to add to her scientific understanding of dogs.  She is a dynamic, entertaining, and educational speaker.

An expert in clicker training and animal behavior, Kathy Sdao regularly presents continuing education workshops for dog trainers at the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Clicker Expo, and Guide Dogs for the Blind, among other seminar venues. Click here for Kathy Sdao's website. 

Get SMART Workshop Day 1	Get SMART Workshop Day 2
Brief review of operant conditioning Operant conditioning as analogous to natural selection Carrots and organic gardening: why choose positive reinforcement? Unconditioned vs. conditioned reinforcers Behavioral markers as the fulcrum Creating new reinforcers Preserving existing reinforcers: satiation, inadvertent chaining Reinforcement timing	Reinforcement frequency & schedules of reinforcement Seeing behavior: setting your filter Maximizing reinforcement opportunities; minimizing the need for punishment What if the environment offers better reinforcers than you have? Limits of what reinforcement can do Behavioral economics and the “reinforcement package” Placement of reinforcers Choosing types of reinforcers What about punishment?

Other Kathy Sdao Seattle Seminar Details

Kathy Sdao's Get SMART seminar in Seattle is not a working seminar, but you are welcome to bring a calm dog. The space is not giant, so please only bring your dog if your s/he is not dog or human reactive and is comfortable staying in a crate during the lecture portion of Kathy Sdao's workshop.  Please take your dog's needs into consideration before you decide to bring him/her.  Students with dogs should bring plenty of treats, toys, crate, and other necessary dog gear.

• CPDTs:  We will be applying for CEUs for this workshop and expect to get 13 CPDT CEU's.  Other folks, if you want CEU's for your organization, please let me know well in advance.
• This Kathy Sdao workshop will be held in the View Ridge Room at Magnuson Park. There's a dog park, with a small/shy dog park as well, just steps away from the facility where the seminar is held.
• If you are bringing a calm dog to the seminar, please bring a fold-up crate, if possible, and a blanket to cover the crate during the seminar.
• We have enough chairs for the seminar, but feel free bring your own if you have a comfy fold-up chair.
• The seminar is 9 - 5 with a one-hour break for lunch and dog exercise.
• Click here for a list of nearby hotels & accommodations in Seattle.
• Please see our Terms & Conditions for the cancellation/change policy for seminars and workshops.

Get SMART Seattle Workshop Fees & Registration

• Seminar fee is $325, including lunch & snacks.  Early Birds (Early Dogs?)! Save $25 through February 1, 2009 using the coupon code "sdao" when you check out.
• Lunch & snacks will be provided at the seminar.  We will contact you as the seminar time approaches about meal preferences - otherwise, it will be vegetarian.
• Registrations made less than 3 days in advance of the seminar do not include lunch.
• Please see our Terms & Conditions for the cancellation/change policy for "Advanced Workshops & Seminars."

---

Seminar Titles: "To Be Mod or Not to Be Mod, That is the Question!" and "Chill Out: Dealing with Overly Aroused Dogs"

Speaker: Pia Silvani (bio below)

Seminar Dates: June 6 & 7, 2009, 9 am - 4:30 pm (Sat/Sun) in Seattle, Washington State

Seminar Description:

Saturday: To Be Mod or Not to Be Mod, That is the Question!

This workshop includes a live consultation on a dog aggression case.

The phone rings, the client is ready to give up on the dog and wants to see you today! How do you know if you are ready to take the case?

It is critical to understand your limits and know when and how to refer the case, if need be. If you decide to meet with the client and take on the challenge, is behavior modification the only answer?

The morning session of this seminar in Seattle will deal with a self-evaluation and self-assessment to help you decipher what types of cases you are ready to handle, as well as helping the client detect and prevent problems to avoid injury through risk assessment and management tips. You will be challenged and so will the client. Pia will teach you how you can become a team.

After lunch, Pia will conduct a live behavior consultation, followed by a debriefing session with the seminar participans (without the client present).

Do you give it all away in the first session? How much is too much? Behavior modification programs take time. How will you get buy-in and keep them coming back? To achieve success with their dogs, your behavior modification programs must meet clients' needs and be within their ability to achieve.

Sunday:  Chill Out! Dealing with Overly Aroused Dogs

What is the difference in behavior modification and obedience training for dogs?  Do they go hand in hand?  What comes first?  Many dogs may do extremely well in obedience class, yet still have behavior problems at home.  Dogs that are stressed, anxious or conflicted will have trouble learning a new behavior to replace an old one.  The dog may become overly aroused, frustrated and exhibit total lack of impulse control, with little or no ability to make good decisions or self-regulate himself.  The decision could end up being a dog bite! 

PUPPIES: Recently, we are seeing more and more pups coming into class completely out of control.  Are these pups simply not getting enough exercise or is there something else going on?  Being able to identify red flags as early as possible is critical to the well-being of the dog.  Pia will conduct and comment on a live puppy play session at the seminar.  When is the pup simply being “a brat” and when is it a serious problem that needs to be dealt with quickly before a serious bite occurs?  Pia will go over exercises that she conducts in her puppy classes as well as exercises for pups in the shelter environment.

ADULTS: The afternoon session will deal with adult dogs that lack self control.  “He won’t stop biting me!”  “I’ve tried time out but it doesn’t work!”  “He is beginning to growl at me and we are becoming afraid.”  “My children no longer like the dog since they cannot walk into the room without being attacked.”  What do you do?

Video cases will be shown and discussed, along with live demos.  How do you know what type of program to put these dogs on and what are the risks, if any?  Find out at this seminar in Seattle!

About the Be Mod / Chill Out Seminar Presenter, Pia Silvani

Pia Silvani's love of teaching began over 30 years ago as a private trainer, dance instructor, track, field and swimming coach for the Special Olympics and Regional Clinician for an international aerobics corporation where she trained new instructors in the field. After 13 years of para-legal/office management work, she decided to make her part-time teaching career a full-time dream. She combined her love of teaching people with her other fondness, dogs.

Pia Silvani is Director of Training and Behavior at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey. She has developed various courses focusing on positive, reward-based dog training techniques, which are extremely effective in the enhancement of the bond and relationship of the dog and her human companion.

The result of her efforts is an astounding 100+ dog training classes per week, which includes 8 levels of pet training classes, specialty courses designed for dogs with extreme behavioral problems and much more. She has written six dog training manuals, which are being used around the country as a resource guide for other dog trainers.

Pia Silvani also developed a behavior department and conducts private consultations specializing in aggressive and anxiety-related problems for dogs and cats. She writes behavior articles for the shelter's newsletter and library; has been written up many times in national, State and local newspapers and made numerous guest appearances on television and radio. She has spoken at various conferences and forums internationally (from Belgium to Japan) and routinely consults with various shelters to assist them in improving and expanding their programs. Pia's newly published book "Raising Puppies and Kids Together - A Guide for Parents" for a Franklin Roosevelt Award by being voted into the top 3 for parenting books for 2005. She is co-author of "Professional Standards for Dog Trainers: Effective, Humane Principles, sponsored by Delta Society. and contributing author to APDT's first published book "The Dog Trainer's Resource" as well as The Dog Behavior Answer Book by Arden Moore.

Other Pia Silvani Dog Seminar Details

• Please do not bring your dog to the Pia Silvani seminar.  We will be having many dog demos and must take the needs of the demo dogs into account. Exception: You may bring a calm, non-reactive dog on Saturday morning if you have some way to get them out of the seminar for the afternoon (drive them home, have a dog walker come get them, etc.)
• CPDTs:  We will be applying for CEUs for this workshop and expect to get 13 CPDT CEU's.  Other folks, if you want CEU's for your organization, please let me know well in advance.
• The Pia Silvani workshops will be held in the View Ridge Room at Magnuson Park in Seattle, Washington state. There's a dog park, with a small/shy dog park as well, just steps away from the facility where the seminar is held. It's a great place to observe dog play in action.
• We have enough chairs for the seminar, but feel free bring your own if you have a comfy fold-up chair.
• Both days of the seminar are 9 - 4:30 with a one-hour break for lunch.
• Click here for a list of hotels & accommodations relatively near the seminar site.

Pia Silvani Seminar Fees & Registration

• Single-day training seminar attendance in Seattle is $185.
• You can register for both days of the seminar for $325. Early Birds (Early Dogs?)! Save $25 through March 1, 2009 using the coupon code "silvani" when you check out.
• Lunch & snacks will be provided at the seminar.  We will contact you as the seminar time approaches about meal preferences - otherwise, it will be vegetarian.
• Registrations made less than 3 full days in advance of the seminar do not include lunch.
• Please see our Terms & Conditions for the cancellation/change policy for "Advanced Workshops & Seminars."
• Register Now!

---

Seminar Titles: "Dog-Dog Aggression" and "Play Play Play!"

Seminar Dates: September 12, 2010 (Sunday. Yes, 2010) in Seattle, Washington State

Speaker: Patricia McConnell, Ph.D.

Seminar Description:

Patricia McConnell's seminar in Seattle is not just for dog trainers! If you have a special interest in dog-dog aggression or want to improve the relationship with your dog through play, this 2-topic workshop will be quite an eye-opener! Even experienced dog trainers, dog walkers, veterinarians, and dog sports competitors will come away with useful ideas in this new ond day dog training seminar, including many novel ways to explain and inspire clients to use techniques that you already have in your toolbox. 

Patricia McConnell is one of those Must-See speakers and this is a new seminar topic, something you won't find on DVD. In fact, Tawzer Videos will be filming! We expect seminar participants not just from Seattle, but from all over the region, including Washington State, Oregon, Northern California, Montana, Utah, and British Columbia. Mark your calendar now and join us!

DOG-DOG AGGRESSION (Morning)

This dog behavior seminar will focus on the most common context of dog-dog aggression problems: dogs who are over-reactive to unfamiliar dogs. We’ll use a combination of videos, slides and demonstrations with case study dogs to address dogs who bark, lunge or bite at unfamiliar dogs. The seminar includes an evaluation why each particular dog is behaving problematically (at least to us), and the most effective methods of treating the behavior, including classical conditioning, and several forms of operant conditioning. Dr. McConnell's seminar will combine a thorough understanding of ethology and learning theory with humane and practical methods to treat the neighborhood’s feisty fidos.

PLAY PLAY PLAY! (Afternoon)

Play is fun, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s just goofy or frivolous. Play is powerful stuff, and it has a profound influence on your relationship with your dog. Learn how play can enhance your relationship with your dog, improve your dog’s responsiveness, and provide your dog with the mental and physical exercise he or she needs. In this part of the seminar, we’ll talk about up-to-date research on how to tell your dog you want to play (most of us aren’t very good at it!), some charming tricks and games to wow your friends, and how not to play with your dog. If you'd like a happier, more responsive dog and a closer relationship with each other, then this seminar in Seattle is for you!

About the Aggression/Play Seminar Presenter, Patricia McConnell

One could write a whole book about Patricia McConnell's insight, wit, and ability to inspire, but we'll try to keep it short!

Patricia McConnell, Ph.D. is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist who has made a lifelong commitment to improving the relationship between people and animals. She is known worldwide as an expert on canine and feline behavior and training, and for her engaging, knowledgeable, and accessible books.

We use Patricia McConnell's Feisty Fido book as a textbook for our Growly Dog class. See our store for some of our other favorite McConnell books - type in McConnell as a search word. We also LOVE her books on the dog-human relationship, including For the Love of a Dog and The Other End of the Leash.

A highly-sought after speaker on dog behavior and training, Patricia McConnell has presented seminars all over North America and Europe. Dr. McConnell is also the behavior columnist for the Bark magazine (www.thebark.com - "the New Yorker of Dog Magazines"), dispenses advice on Wisconsin Public Radio's Calling All Pets, (www.wpr.org/pets), and is a Consulting Editor for the Journal of Comparative Psychology.

Other Patricia McConnell Dog Behavior Seminar Details

• This seminar will be in Seattle. More details soon.
• You may bring a calm, friendly, non-reactive dog to the seminar.  However, if you do, you will need to sit far from the stage during the Dog-Dog aggression portion, so as not to disturb the working dog(s) that Trisha is using for the seminar.  Please take your dog's needs into consideration, as well.
• CPDT:  We will be applying for CEU's for Certified Pet Dog Trainers. Please let us know if you belong to another organization and would like Continuing Education Units.
• Lunch is not provided at this seminar. There are many restaurants nearby.

Patricia McConnell Dog Behavior Seminar Fees & Registration

• Seminar Fee is $185.  Early Birds (Early Dogs?)! Save $25 through Jan 1, 2010 using the coupon code "mcconnell" when you check out.
• Please see our Terms & Conditions for the cancellation/change policy for "Advanced Workshops & Seminars".

 

Start Date	Seminar	Speaker	Fee	# So Far	Register!
2009-03-05	Get SMART	Kathy Sdao	$325	8
2009-06-06	Be Mod and Chill Out	Pia Silvani	$325	6
2009-06-06	Be Mod - Sat Only	Pia Silvani	$185	0
2009-06-07	Chill Out - Sun Only	Pia Silvani	$185	0
2010-09-12	Dog Aggression and Play	Patricia McConnell	$185	6