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EDITORS LETTER
After another year of the pandemic and a virtual conference , plans are in motion to meet in-person at Daytona Beach , Florida , Oct . 19-21
Last year at this time we were reflecting on the changes brought about globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic . It forced APDT to go to a virtual conference for the first time , and we had fully hoped to be in Riverside , California , for our 28th annual Educational Conference and Trade Show . But early in 2021 , it became evident the pandemic wasn ’ t over yet , so APDT joined forces with our sister organization to the north , the Canadian Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the APDT / CAPDT virtual conference went off smoothly Sept . 29-30 .
Setting our sights for 2022 , we are again planning our 29th annual Educational Conference and Trade Show Oct . 19-21 to be inperson at Daytona Beach , Florida . More information about keynote speakers , sessions and workshop will be revealed for the SPRING 2022 issue .
So , what ’ s first up for 2022 ? It ’ s APDT ’ s National Train Your Dog Month . For more on that important social media event , check out page 16 . Use your social media to promote the need to train dogs using responsible trainers who use LIMA as their foundation for training methods . Reach out to your local media to offer your insight on the importance of getting that Christmas or pandemic puppy trained to keep it from spending Valentine ’ s Day at a shelter due to unwanted puppy behaviors .
But back to this final Chronicle of the Dog for 2021 : Association News begins on page 10 , with an introduction to the APDT Board ’ s new chair , Fanna Easter , and a farewell to the 2020 chair Khara Schuetzner , who transitions off the board after being appointed to the board for 2016 and then appointed as an officer in 2017 . We also welcome one new board member , Heather Mishefske , elected to a 3-year term in September . Also , be sure to check out the APDT Foundation News that gives important dates and details about proposals for posters and grants .
For our regular columnists , Veronica Boutelle ’ s Business End of the Leash addresses how the pandemic brought out the best in trainers who set aside competition to help other trainers survive the worst of the pandemic ; Dr . Melissa Bain writes in her Veterinarian Perspective that sometimes research will prove a hypothesis wrong , but that doesn ’ t dismiss the data gleaned from that research ; Animal Behavior College President Steve Appelbaum explains in his column the new classes being offered due to the pandemic , and
what discounts are available to APDT members ; David Pearsall , of Business Insurers of the Carolinas , offers insight as to why some dog training businesses might need to add the optional dishonesty bond to a liability insurance policy , and Jamie McKay ’ s Ask A Trainer column has trainers providing their tips on how to encourage less diligent pet owners to work with their pets at home so they don ’ t slow down others in a class . Thanks again to Jennifer Berg from CAPDT , who asked several trainers to provide their top training books . So if you want to know what those go-to books are for veteran trainers like Pat Miller , Grisha Stewart and Lisa Waggoner , please check out Editor ’ s Review that begins on page 51 .
Our features begin on page 34 with Irith Bloom and Kristina Spaulding , Ph . D ., taking a deep dive into a study about the probable causes of aggression in dogs and what factors might predict aggressive behavior . Then on page 40 , author Skye Anderson , a long-time dog trainer , recounts recent experiences of canine empathy from two different dogs not trained for such work . And that experience , she says , has made her a better trainer .
A recent APDT survey revealed more than 50 percent of those 813 APDT members who responded were not certified in pet CPR and first aid . Beth Bowers , a certified professional dog trainer and certified master pet CPR and first aid instructor , offers reasons why trainers and their staff should get that certification and have it renewed annually . She retells a particularly painful experience when her beloved 12-year-old CPR demonstration dog Burt , collapsed during a potty break , forcing her to administer CPR for 30 minutes while a vet team tried to revive him . That story begins on page 42 .
As we head into the holiday season , we hope you can take a moment to savor these features , columns , and articles . Be safe as you travel to visit family and friends , and all of us here at APDT headquarters look forward to seeing everyone in person at our 29th annual conference Oct . 19-21 at Daytona Beach , Florida !
Devon Hubbard Sorlie , Editor
The APDT Chronicle of the Dog | Winter 2021 1