You for these breadcrumbs of wisdom.
• Don’ t try to implement everything at once. Pick one or two key takeaways from each day to focus on first.
WHEN YOU DON’ T AGREE WITH EVERYTHING So that presenter just said something that made your eye twitch. Welcome to the dog training world! Rather than letting it ruin your day, try to:
• Focus on what you can learn, even if you disagree with the overall approach. Maybe their client communication style is brilliant, even if their training methods aren’ t your cup of tea.
• Use it as a chance to clarify your own philosophy and methods. Sometimes understanding why you disagree with something helps strengthen your own approach.
• Connect with others who share your perspective. These moments often lead to great discussions and valuable professional relationships.
• Remember that it’ s okay to be selective about what you incorporate into your practice. Take what serves you and your clients, leave what doesn’ t.
FROM INSPIRATION TO IMPLEMENTATION We’ ve all been there— coming home from a conference buzzing with ideas, only to have them fizzle out in the face of daily client work. Here’ s how to actually use what you’ ve learned:
• Create an action plan before you head home. What are your top three takeaways? How can you implement them in the next month? Be specific— instead of“ Use more enrichment activities,” try“ Introduce snuffle mat work in puppy classes.”
• Proactively schedule implementation time in your calendar when you register for the conference. Block out specific hours for reviewing notes, updating handouts, or practicing new techniques before life gets crazy again.
• Share your learnings with colleagues. Teaching others helps cement new concepts in your own mind( and makes you look super smart). Consider hosting a lunch-and-learn for local trainers or creating social media content about your key takeaways.
• Test new ideas gradually. Maybe start with one trusted client who’ d be perfect for that new protocol you learned about.
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR INVESTMENT Conferences aren’ t cheap, so squeeze every drop of value from them:
• Record video messages or write notes to yourself about key insights while they’ re fresh. These are gold when you’ re trying to remember that brilliant leash handling technique three months later.
• Connect with new colleagues on social media before you leave. Follow the conference hashtag and engage with other attendees’ posts.
• Join or create a post-conference study group to keep the momentum going. Even a monthly Zoom call with other attendees can help you stay accountable and inspired.
• Share your takeaways with local dog lovers who might be interested in your services. This could be through your newsletter, blog, or social media— just remember to credit speakers and the conference appropriately.
BUILDING LASTING CONNECTIONS Here’ s what many people miss: the real value of conferences often comes from the relationships you build. That trainer you met at breakfast might become your future mentor, referral partner, or lifelong friend. Those hallway conversations between sessions? Sometimes they’ re more valuable than the sessions themselves.
Consider creating a“ conference buddy” system with other attendees. Split up to cover different sessions, then share notes over dinner. This not only helps you catch more content but also builds deeper professional relationships.
Don’ t forget to nurture these connections after the conference ends. A quick email saying“ Hey, I tried that technique you mentioned and it worked great!” can keep the conversation going.
MANAGING THE POST-CONFERENCE CRASH Let’ s talk about something people rarely mention— the postconference blues. It’ s common to feel a mix of exhaustion and overwhelm when you get home. The feeling of isolation in your work often creeps back in too. Plan for this by:
• Scheduling a rest and reflection day for your first day back, or at least a light client load
• Taking time to organize your notes and materials
• Setting realistic expectations for implementing changes
• Connecting with your new conference friends online
So pack your business cards, grab your favorite notebook, and get ready to learn. Just remember— you don’ t have to do everything, meet everyone, or absorb every piece of information. Focus on what matters most to you and your business, and let the rest be sprinkles on top.
And hey, if all else fails, there’ s occasionally a dog at these events who’ s happy to help you decompress. Because sometimes the best networking happens while you’ re both scratching a good boy’ s ears. The 2025 APDT International conference in Richmond, VA is a great place to put some of these things into practice- take a look!
Veronica Boutelle, MAEd, CTC is the author of How To Run a Dog Business: Putting Your Career Where Your Heart Is, and co-founder of dogbiz, whose business is to help yours succeed. Harriet Alexander is content curator for dogbiz. Learn all the ways dogbiz can support your success at www. dogbizsuccess. com.
The APDT Chronicle of the Dog | Summer 2025 37