2020 Schedule

Control: The Other Primary Reinforcer

Coffee

Training Principles and Practices

Take a breath, have lunch with the speakers, stretch your legs

Training Scientifically

Bob Bailey
Peta Clarke
Susan Friedman

Break

History and Applications of Operant Conditioning
As trainers and behavior consultants we stand on the shoulders of giants. The science of learning has a deep history, and the early applications of operant conditioning are the stuff of legend. In his keynote general address, Bob Bailey takes us back to our earliest beginnings right up to the present moment. We’ll learn where effective animal training really began, and where the science behind it is leading us into the future.

Medical Issues and Behavior
Trainers and behavior consultants are often the first responders to clients whose companion animals have unwanted or even troubling behavior. And, medical referrals are among our most powerful and effective recommendations. In this presentation, you’ll learn some of the most common medical issues related to behavior issues - and some you probably haven’t heard about before. There’s new information for you here. Know when to refer to a vet or vet behaviorist and how that knowledge could help clients succeed and help you win more cases.

All The World’s a Stage - Antecedents, Our Secret Weapon
We pay lots of attention to behavior and the reinforcement that fuels it. But, let’s not forget the “A” in A-B-C. Antecedents, including those we aren’t aware of (or inadvertently introduce) are huge players in our attempts to teach and train. Peta Clarke is renowned animal trainer for stage and screen. Learn how she uses creative cues (antecedents) in her work and how you can use them in yours even if you’re not an entertainment trainer. If this is new to you, great. If you think you already know it all, even better.

Stress Inoculation - What is it and can it benefit dogs?

Business Working Lunch

Semiochemicals

Treating Separation Anxiety
Learn the practical steps necessary to treat this most troublesome issue, from start to finish. Recognize all the signs of distress (it’s not all barking and howling!), and help your client lay the groundwork towards resolving the problem from the very first consultation.

We’ll examine why desensitization remains the most effective way to help dogs learn to be home alone. With this understanding, you’ll be able to get started right away with short, easy exercises focused on building confidence in both the dog and your client.

Consuming Research Without Indigestion
"Research finds swallowing without chewing can cause indigestion." That’s often what it feels like reading a research study without the tools needed to evaluate the validity of the author’s findings. Not everyone needs to read original research. Academic texts and other trusted sources are often enough. However, this presentation is for those trainers and consultants who want to judge for themselves the extent to which research claims can be considered credible. A systematic approach to evaluating research studies will help you make more informed decisions about how the reported findings should impact what you do. In this session, the logic behind two main research perspectives will be introduced -- group designs and single subject designs, and a structured way to evaluate the validity of these designs will be explored.

Decoding Cats
What are cats saying? At times, it does feel like we can all speak dog, but cats are from an altogether different planet. Domestic cats are great hunters, who themselves feel that at any moment they may be eaten. No wonder they have the seemingly “schizo-personalities” they do. Learn how cats communicate and what they are saying. And learn how to teach clients to better understand their cats -- leading to better care -- and helping to dispel cultural myths about these fascinating and beautiful animals.

Working with Local Authorities on Bite Investigation Cases
We’ve all seen news stories about serious bite cases in which an interview subject gets the behavior analysis part of the incident all wrong. It can be infuriating. What if qualified animal behavior consultants could help communicate the right information to the general public? Learn how you can develop working relationships with local law enforcement authorities and investigators as a behavior expert -- and communicate accurate and thoughtful information about dog behavior to the general public.

Puppies to Adults: Nurture influencing Nature

Steve Dale
Nancy Tucker
Michael Baugh - Moderator
Stephanie Benne

Role of inflammation in the development and perpetuation of anxiety and the anti-anxiety effects of PEMF therapy. 

Changing Behavior the ABA Way: WTF?

Classical Conditioning

Business Working Lunch

Dog Bite Interpretation Evidence and Behavior

Feline behavior modification for dog trainers

A day in the life of a rescue trainer: case study presentation

Humane Use of Negative Reinforcement

Client Communication

Training for Behavior Consultants

Hot Topics in Behavior Studies

Ideas that Should Die: Outdated, Outmoded and Misunderstood Behavior Science

The inertia that results from so-called conventional wisdom about how behavior works is a big obstacle to the widespread adoption of positive reinforcement-based training. Discussions quickly devolve into rancorous debates based on little more than personal opinions and political affiliations. One example is the intrinsic vs. extrinsic reinforcement debate. Resulting from the many myths and misunderstandings, learners fail to benefit from the wellspring of information that is the result of decades of application of the technology of behavior change known as applied behavior analysis (ABA). At the center of this problem is the deeply rooted belief that behavior exists inside individuals, independent of the conditions in which they behave. In this presentation, common myths and misunderstandings will be discussed so that participants are better able to address them.

Pocket Pets

Desensitization and Counter Conditioning

Learn the practical application of desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques to treat fearful behaviors. This presentation focuses on mechanical skills, navigating potential speed bumps, tracking progress, and trouble-shooting.

We’ll examine definitions (what desensitization and counter-conditioning are, and what they aren’t); the recipe for success (a crucial ingredient list); how operant learning fits into the equation (are we just changing “feelings” or are we affecting behaviors too?); and answers to clients’ most pressing questions (“So how long is this gonna take?”).

Creating positive culture in shelters: Everyday things we can do to facilitate positive interpersonal interactions in the shelter environment.

Business Working Lunch

A practical guide to dealing with frustration

Nosework

Accurate figures and case commonalities of Fatal Dog Attacks

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