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Seminars for Dog Trainers & Dog Enthusiasts in Seattle
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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.
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"I am still simmering with gratitude over the fabulous job you did with everything at ClickerExpo, as usual, and especially with the ever-growing topic of cueing. I LOVED how you did it, and so did everyone else." - Karen Pryor to Kathy Sdao 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.
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.
Other Kathy Sdao Seattle Seminar DetailsKathy 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.
Get SMART Seattle Workshop Fees & Registration
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 StateSeminar 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?
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 DogsWhat 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 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
Pia Silvani Seminar Fees & Registration
Seminar Titles: "Dog-Dog Aggression" and "Play Play Play!"Seminar Dates: September 12, 2010 (Sunday. Yes, 2010) in Seattle, Washington StateSpeaker: 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
Patricia McConnell Dog Behavior Seminar Fees & Registration
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© 2003-2008 Ahimsa Dog Training, Seattle, Washington State. Last Update: January 04, 2009. 902 NW 49th Street, Seattle, Washington, 98107. 206.364.4072 Email info@doggiezen.com |