ASSOCIATION NEWS
techniques and practice defensive handling procedures . Participants will discuss risky situations and how to respond appropriately to decrease the chance of handler and dog injury . Attendees will practice using a long line ; creating a harness using a slip lead ; keeping yourself safe if a dog begins to get aggressive ; how to involve a novice handler or passer-by to turn a dangerous situation into a safer one ; and how to break-up a dog fight . During this session , participants will be in small groups and engage in a significant amount of hands-on practice with stuffed dogs . All materials needed for the workshop will be provided for the duration of the session .
• Muzzle Mastery Made Easy Workshop with Sara McLoudrey . This interactive workshop is designed to teach the ins and outs of muzzle training . Participants will go from Muzzle Misery to Mastery and you will be on your way to successfully training clients and their dogs in the art of muzzle magic . Discover the fundamentals of muzzle training , demystify common misconceptions , and provide practical insights into choosing and fitting the right muzzle .
Other conference speakers / sessions :
• Dr . Kathy Murphy and Bobbie Bhambree , CDBC , will team up for the session A Framework for Behavior Modification and Training Plans to Help Build and Maintain Resilience : The Resilience Rainbow . They will share evidence-based approaches to assessing and building a dog ' s ability to adapt , adjust , and recover . This will be an opportunity to look at an important topic in behavior through a multidisciplinary lens . Whether you are an animal trainer , veterinary professional , animal behaviorist , animal enthusiast , or someone interested in dog sports , there will be something here for you .
Malena DeMartini will present two sessions :
• Anxiety Allies : Making a Difference in Dogs ’ Home-Alone Lives . Undoubtedly , canine separation anxiety is a prevalent concern , affecting an estimated 20 percent of dogs . The need for assistance in addressing this condition is undeniable . To offer optimal support to guardians dealing with dogs experiencing alone-time anxiety , a broad understanding of the issue is essential , along with a detailed comprehension of how to contribute to the support team . The roles involved in providing assistance are diverse , ranging from overseeing management strategies , analyzing data as observers , offering emotional support and encouragement , and serving as behavior modification counselors . This presentation will dive into some important treatment aspects , severity , and common myths . Participants will leave with a foundational knowledge of separation anxiety and the ways individuals can actively participate in the crucial support network .
• Tim Lewis , Ph . D ., and Sue Sternberg will present a joint session called A Stroll Through the Neighborhood With Your Dog — Triumph or Tribulation ? Join Tim and Sue on a virtual walk through a typical neighborhood , as seen from a dog ’ s point of view . Experience the triumph felt by the sentinels at the gates ( and the bay windows and fences ), and the tribulations of those who pass . Attendees will look at the behavioral and biological implications of these interactions .
• Sue Sternberg will also present a session called Human-Dog Interactions and Non-Verbal Faux Pas as Seen Through the Magnifying Lens of Dog Sports . Whether you participate in dog sports or not , they provide an extensive curriculum of body language lessons from human to dog . Dog sports , whether you are actively training , competing , or just observing , can serve as a university by which to teach humans how to speak more clearly to their dogs . When we get it right , such as timing and vocabulary , nothing feels quite as good ! When we inadvertently say the wrong thing , or make some unbidden body language faux pas , dogs will respond in various ways , from displacement behaviors ( common and not-so-common ), waning enthusiasm , loss of gumption or initiative , all of which can be misinterpreted .
• Pawsitive Support : Separation Anxiety Best Practices for Shelters and Rescues . We know that providing for dogs with separation anxiety in the shelter / rescue system has been a challenge for quite some time , and we have listened to and learned from so many shelters and rescues about the challenges they face caring for dogs with this issue . In 2023 , we launched a survey to gather as much data as possible about these challenges and how to better support shelter / rescue staff and volunteers in responding to them . We know the tireless work that they devote to these dogs ( and all animals ) in their care , and it is our mission to support them in that work . In this presentation , we will delve into what we have learned from our 2023 survey , share some of the new resources we have developed in response to that learning , and discuss best practices for successfully adopting out a dog with separation anxiety . This session will include some interactive components , and participants will leave with ideas and free resources to take back and implement in their local contexts .
Other speakers include ( as of time of publishing ):
• Irith Bloom , CPDT-KSA , CDBC , KPA CTP , VSPDT , CBATI
• Kristina Spaulding , Ph . D ., CAAB
• Jen Kolar , CPDT-KA , KPA CTP , CBATI , CGC Evaluator , Certified Diabetes Alert Dog Trainer
• Amber Burckhalter , CPDT , CBDC , CNI
• Kristina Bergsten , founder of The Animal Law Firm
• Susan Garrett , B . Sc . in Animal Science
• Jill Marie O ’ Brien , CPDT-KA , co-founder of National Association of Canine Scent Work , LLC
• Cat Harbord , Dip ., CBST , CDBC , FDM
New This Year : Learning Labs on Thursday and Friday ( limited to 50 people , requires pre-registration at no cost ). Topics / speakers include Bill Dotson , Ask the Tech Expert ; Sara McLoudrey , Everything You Need to Know About Muzzling , and Geeking Out on Science with Tim Lewis , Ph . D . and Kristina Spaulding , Ph . D ., as they discuss the science behind dog training .
12 Building Better Trainers Through Education