Welcome
Khara Schuetzner, M.A., CPDT-KSA, CNWI
Come kick-off the start of the APDT 2020 Virtual Conference with the Opening Welcome session with Khara Schuetzner, APDT Chair. This session will cover the year-in-review for APDT, goals for the association in 2021, recognizing the 2020 award recipients and the Blue-9 Scholarship winners, how to get the best experience with the virtual conference, and more!
Opening Keynote:Our Dogs, Ourselves: The 21st Century Dog-Human Bond
Alexandra Horowitz, Ph.D.
The contemporary culture of dogdom is mired by paradox. Dogs are so successful in our society because they seem to reflect us: we see
something in ourselves in our dogs. And, thus, we extend our fam- ilies to include them: keeping them inside, by our sides; feeding them specially prepared foods; acquiring clothes, bedding and ac- coutrements designed just for them. They may sleep on our sofas. Yet to the law, they are
simply owned property, chattel – worth less than that sofa. Our breeding practices have created unhealthy, dis- figured specimens; we regulate their sex life and alter their bodies. In this keynote, Dr. Horowitz discusses some of the contradictionsthat characterize the dog-human relationship today.
Exhibit Hall Hours
Exhibit Hall Hours
Exhibit Hall is now open Visit sponors and exhibitors by going to main session lobby and clicking on Exhbit Hall box.
Just Say "No"
Gina Pharis, BSC, Comms, CTC
As positive reinforcement trainers, we’ve excised the word “no” from our vocabularies, and with good reason. But when it comes to running your business, learning to say no is the key to saying yes to success. If you’re like most dog pros, you’re juggling far too much, finding it hard to catch your breath as you run from one obligation to another, and feeling guilty about never having enough time for your own dogs and family. If this sounds familiar, prioritize this session with Gina of dogbiz. You’ll get practical advice for managing your time and your business, including a formula for deciding when to say no so you can say yes to the things that matter most. It’s time to stop wearing the busy badge in favor of better work/life balance!
Multi Dog Magic-Instead of Canine Conflict
David Muriello, CPDT
Bringing a new dog into a home with one or more dogs can easily create high stress and bloody battles over resources. Trainers need to understand the many factors we can control that will lead to harmony between the dogs. In this presentation, David will share the story of how he integrated a new dog into his family where 10-year-old dog, Hazel (who doesn’t always like other dogs) had been solo in the home for 9 years. We will discuss the approach to creating a positive relationship between the dogs and review fascinating videos of their interactions and David’s training processes.
Learning Objectives:
• Learn techniques for teaching families that will have you feeling confident and comfortable communicating with everyone effectively, including the kids.
• Develop your ability to set aside your “inner critical expert” and see the dog the way most families do: with naïve gaga love.
• Teach effectively through a “shared lens” with both viewpoints.
Canine Biology Learning Lab
Tim Lewis, Ph.D.
This session will give you a better understanding of basic canine anatomy and the implications of skeletal form for trainer professionals. Working with material from wolves and domestic dogs, as well as bone-clone skulls, students will
• learn comparative anatomy of canine skulls including domestic dogs, wolves, and foxes and how skull shape and dental anatomy impacts animal health and well being
• learn details about canine hair and how variations in coat affect temperature tolerance
• learn basic joint anatomy and how different joints function
Project Safety Net: Keeping dogs out of shelters
Sarah Babcock, CTC, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC
Shelters and rescues are challenged with too many dogs and not enough homes. In addition to creative adoptions and post-adoption support, there is a need for programs that prevent dogs from coming into shelters in the first place. In this session, we will look at the primary reasons that dogs are surrendered by their owners. We will look at successful "safety net" programs from around the country that encourage people to "do the right thing" with their dogs, and provide them with the resources they need to address the challenges they are facing. Examples include low-cost vet care, behavior helplines, behavior consults, public classes, "fix-it" workshops, foster care, advanced dog-training volunteers, and pet-friendly housing guides. We will look at what works and what doesn't and Sarah will highlight some very creative "outside the box" solutions. Lastly, we will look at ways in which dog trainers might be able to help, even if their primary work is outside of the shelter itself.
Working as a Team Integrating Best Practices and Behavior, Training, and Health
Katie Kangas, DVM, CVA, CVCP
Meg Harrison
Sherry Woodard, CPDT-KA
Taking apart the puzzles of life and putting together happy, well-balanced animals.Realize how change profoundly affects dog's, cat's, and people plus discover techniques to introduce new family members, create calm environments as well as dealing with loss and grief for pets and people.Learn how emotions and nutrition biochemically affect overall health and well-being. Understand how consequences of both natural and man-made disasters influence current behaviors and discover how you can help those animals.
Complex Aggression Cases
Michael Shikashio, CDBC
With the pandemic, many trainers and pet owners are now becoming more comfortable with online training! We are seeing a trend that even severe behavior issues can be worked with in this format. However, we have some crucial considerations to make when working an aggression case remotely.
This presentation will highlight an intra-household dog to dog aggression case in Australia where Michael works all of the sessions online. He will highlight the important differences between in-person and online consults with aggression cases, as he moves through the case from start to finish. Considerations for safety, behavior change strategies, and successful client communication will all be showcased!
Components of a Complete Behavior Modification
Lisa White, DVM
Organizing all of the necessary components of a complete behavior modification plan into reasonable sized slices for implementation can be a daunting task; especially in complicated cases. This session outline how to use a simple framework to organize recommendations to clients while keeping all members of the care team under-threshold. Criteria, risk assessment, and indications for medical management will be discussed.
Profitable Pricing: Are you charging what you're worth?
Robin Bennett, CPDT-KA
Are you really making the money you deserve? How do you know? Pricing strategies are key to generating the revenue you deserve as a trainer. But all too often, pricing is based on best guess estimates and comparisons with your competition. Is this really the best strategy for pricing your services? In this seminar you will learn how to determine what your time is worth, and how to ensure your pricing strategies are actually leaving you with profit. Come prepared to deal with the financial numbers, but be prepared to take home a spreadsheet that will let you confirm your pricing is sound and profitable.
LIMA-Based Management of Inter-Dog Play
Mara Velez, M.A., CPDT-KA
During this session you will learn how to apply of the science of choice and the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) ethical principles to promote healthy dog-dog interactions and manage playgroups. Using the notions of choice, empowerment, and adherence to the LIMA ethical guidelines, you can minimize risk and maximize the benefit of inter-dog interactions, including setting the stage for well-managed play.
The gut-brain axis: the link between microbiota, immune response, and behavior
Carlo Siracusa, DVM, M.S., Ph.D., Dip. ACVB, Dip. ECAWBM
“It is common belief that the behavior of a dog is separate from all the other bodily processes. When in presence of an undesired behavior in a dog, you may have heard the question “Is it behavioral or medical?” to differentiate the two possible categories of causes behind it. Current scientific discoveries tell us that this distinction is more fictitious than real. Behavior is regulated by biological processes that are connected to all the other physical phenomena that happen in the body of a dog, and the net that connect all these processes is the immune system. Even more fascinating and intriguing is the role that other small living creatures that populate the body of our dogs, the microorganisms of the microbiota, have in orchestrating the immune response and its physical and behavioral effects. In this lecture, we will review these interactions to radically change the way in which you look at your dog’s behavior!”
Dealing with Difficult Clients
Chirag Patel, BSc(Hons), PG Cert (CAB), CPBC, DipCABT
Many dog trainers come into the field due to their love of dogs and/or training, however quickly realising the field of pet dog training is primarily about coaching people. Join Chirag as looks at something many trainers often struggle with, “How do I deal with difficult clients?”
Canine Neurophysiology
Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB
The brain is the master controller of all behavior. This is as true for dogs as it is for humans. Many anatomical and physiological concepts are nearly identical across many species of mammals, including humans. This presentation will discuss some of those similarities, as well as some of the vast difference between humans and dogs. The focus will be on the anatomy and physiology of the fear and pleasure processing centers of the canine brain, as well as how learning occurs from a physiological standpoint. An overview of learning theory and how all of these concepts come together for successful behavior modification in dogs will be presented.
Antecedent Arrangement and Protected Contact
Ken McCort
Keeping yourself safe and not letting dogs practice unwanted behaviors are important parts to being a successful trainer when working with certain types of behavioral issues.
Learning Objectives"
Learning to set up the environment before the dog is introduced
Working with dogs in a protected contact situation
The importance of gaining trust in fearful animals
* Please note this session runs into the lunch break
When Death Strikes for You Or Your Client: What does pet loss of today look like?
Coleen Ellis, CT, CPLP
Whether it’s your own personal pet, or the pet of a trusted and loved client, this kind of loss is devastating. Professionals like yourself are looking for ways to be a resource to clients in areas such as rituals and experiences, as well as with the emotional journey and with the various permanent memorialization options available. In this session, helpful tips will be discussed in being a healthy resource for families, as well as tips and techniques for you in creating a balance between your own emotions and those turning to you for help.
Behavior Assessments in Shelters - What Does the Science Say?
Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB
From temperament tests to behavioral assessment snapshots, shelter professionals have been researching ways to provide families with safe, loving pets for decades. Despite the plethora of data there are few tests that demonstrate a valid, accurate association between behavior displayed in a shelter setting and behavior seen once in an adoptive home. Some dogs may display aggression in a formalized behavior evaluation that will never present itself in a home environment. On the flip side there are many dogs who are inhibited by stress and their aggressive and other undesirable behaviors aren’t apparent until weeks after adoption. Recent evidence questions the usefulness of formalized behavior assessments in shelter dogs, but does that mean shelters should eliminate all attempts at evaluating behavior altogether? This presentation walks you through the scientific evidence collected over the past 3 decades and takes a critical look at this controversial topic.
Does your dog even squat? How to leverage canine physical fitness to enhance your training.
Maj. Brian Farr, DVM
Meghan Ramos, DVM
Physical fitness is essential for working, sporting, and companion dogs to perform at the required level and live a long, healthy, and injury-free life. To help their clients achieve physical fitness, trainers need user-friendly and evidence-based methods to assess and develop physical fitness. Join two sports medicine residents from the Penn Vet Working Dog Center to learn how you can integrate physical fitness into your training toolbox and improve the performance and health of your clients.
Let's Talk Meds: What should we be telling our clients about behavioral medications?
Jennie Fiendish, CVT, VTS Behavior, CPDT-KA, CTDI
Trainers are often asked by owners if it would be appropriate or them to use medications on their animal as well as what they should use. The use of prescription medications to treat behavioral problems in animals is a common practice, however what trainers discuss with their patients about their use can be difficult as it is beyond the scope of practice. In this session, attendees will learn about common behavioral medications and supplements, their uses, and how to discuss them appropriately with client.
Separation Anxiety: Why your dog can't just "get over" being left alone
Tracey Hagan, CPDT-KA, CBSS-KA, CSAT
Tracey will discuss how a simple, ongoing desensitization protocol can help you feel confident about taking on Separation Anxiety cases and succeed. This presentation will include information and videos from actual case studies that show the importance of learning stress signs through body language and how that helps when working through these cases
Learning Objectives:
- Identify Body Language and stress signals in video to determine if there is separation anxiety or if the behaviors are because of a different behavior issues.
- Understand why food toys are not used in this protocol
- Learn how to apply a desensitization protocol to help dogs learn coping skills and overcome this devastating condition.
Closing Keynote: Animal Training as A Technology: Where is it today? Where should it be tomorrow?
Bob Bailey, Sc.D.
It is my opinion that animal training could, and should, be a science and data based technology. This talk expresses my opinion of where training practices are today versus where practices could be. My opinions are based on my science background as a physicist, chemist, and biologist, and my nearly 65 years studying animal behavior and training animals "in the trenches" as well as in a laboratory setting. I will describe my view of a training technology of the future, including how modern communication can assist pet animal training