8:00-9:00 AM
Dog Training For Good: How to Help More People( Without Losing Yourself!) by Miranda Hitchcock, MS, CDBC, CBCC- KA, CPDT-KA, Fear Free
As a trainer, you love helping people and dogs. But you also know that you have to set boundaries when it comes to that help: you need to make enough money to support yourself, and you know you get frustrated when clients don’ t do what you’ re asking. You might have been hearing about diversity, equity, and inclusion, but have no idea it impacts you or what you can do about it. And you know that families are struggling financially right now, but feel like there’ s not much you can do to help. In this session we’ re going to talk about some real-world strategies you can use to become more inclusive in your training- without sacrificing your own quality of life.
* 9:15-10:15 AM
How to Talk so People will Listen... How to Listen so People will Talk by Kenny Lamberti, B. S.
Regardless of what we are trying to accomplish, being able to effectively communicate is the key to success. Whether working with an individual dog, managing a team, or giving a keynote address, our ability to deeply understand our audience and the message we hope to convey will make the difference in leaving a lasting meaningful impression. In this session we will explore how cultural nuance, surrendering our ego, and viewing our message with humility through the eyes and ears of the listener can elevate us as leaders, teachers, facilitators, and change makers.
9:15-10:15 AM
Fitting Equipment to Dogs by Sue Alexander, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC
Equipment is an important part of dog training today, and everyone has an opinion about what equipment you will or will not use. In order to have meaningful conversations with clients and colleagues, we have to have an understanding of how equipment works and what mode of action is in play when equipment is used. In this presentation you will learn how to evaluate equipment through the lens of mode of action, how to put that equipment onto the dog so that it works as intended, and how to choose equipment that will help you to achieve your training goals. In this talk, we will be looking at a wide variety of equipment, with the recognition that every trainer must choose equipment that suits their needs, and fits within their own ethical beliefs.
9:15-10:15 AM
Genetics of Your Dog, by Tim Lewis, Ph. D.
Session description coming soon!
* 10:30-12:00 PM LIVESTREAM EXCLUSIVE: Conversations About Research Methods Utilized in the Study of Dog Behavior & Welfare by Lisa Gunter, Ph. D., CAAB, MA, CBCC-KA and Erica Feuerbacher, Ph. D., CAAB, CPDT-KA, BCBA-D
When designing research studies, scientists must have a clear understanding of the question being asked, appropriate dependent measures to answer that question, a design that is free from bias or are biased against their hypothesis, and experimental conditions that are equivalent in as many ways as possible except for the critical variable of interest. Moreover, their sample of participants should be representative of the population, and their methodology consistently applied. Once data collection is complete, scientists need to use statistical analyses that are appropriate for their data and research question, ensure interpretations are consistent with the analytical results, and be transparent in their reporting. In this session we will discuss the essential features of carrying out such a research study, and how a study investigating the question of training methods would need to be designed in order to fulfill these aims and obtain applicable results. Attendees will have a better understanding about the challenges of conducting applied research and be a more informed consumer of science, including being able to discuss the strengths and limitations of a given study more knowledgeably.
10:30-1:30 PM
Exhibit Hall Exclusive
Stay tuned to learn more about demos and exhibitors! Info coming soon!
* 1:30-3:00 PM
How WE Learn: An Introduction to Behavior Analysis and Training by Rick Hester
This talk is an introduction to the principles, procedures, and philosophy of behavior analysis. We will review six fundamental topics to understanding and changing animal behavior. The topics include 1) an evolutionary view of learning and behavior; 2) a review of the science of behavior-change called behavior analysis; 3) common obstacles to the scientific analysis of learning and behavior; 4) ABC assessment to better understand, predict and change behavior; 5) the errorless learning philosophy and antecedent arrangement to make the right behavior more likely; 6) the relevance of the least intrusive procedure to ethical use of training procedures.
52 Better Training Through Education