Joyce Kesling, Professional Dog Trainer, Certified Dog and Cat Behavior Specialist

Certifications, Memberships, Training, Seminars, and Conferences

SEMINARS, TRAINING, CONFERENCES

  • Proactive Positive Dog Training – June 16-17, 2001 – Chuck Tompkins, President & Curator SeaWorld, in Orlando & Thad Lacinak, Vice President and Nationwide Director of Animal Training for Busch Entertainment Corporation
  • Owners & Breeders Symposium– July 28, 2001 – University of Florida, Gainesville
  • Aggression Workshop – December 9, 2001- Chuck Tompkins, President & Curator SeaWorld in Orlando
  • Advanced Canine Behavior – January 12-13, 2002 – Dr. Patricia McConnell – received her Ph.D. in Zoology – Advanced Canine Behavior Seminar – topics included canid ethology and dog-dog aggression
  • Problem Solving – August 17-18, 2002 – Dr. Pamela Reid – Applied Animal Behaviorist – topics included developing treatment plans, options available, canine ethology, genetics, sensitive period of development, socialization, canine communication, learning theory, common behavior problems, separation anxiety, compulsive behaviors, breeds and aggression
  • The ABC’s of Dog Training and Dog Aggression – November 2-3, 2002 – Chuck Tompkins & Thad Lacinak of Behavior International, topics included learning theory, communication, incorrect behavior, phobias, problem prevention and having fun!
  • Canine Sports Massage – April 25, 2003 – Debbie Roik, CVT, LMT – Certified Canine Massage Therapist
  • John Rogerson’s – 2-Day Behavior & Training Lecture – April 26-27, 2003 – John Rogerson – Founder & Principle Lecturer, Northern Centre for Canines, Great Britain – topics included puppy behavior & development , dog – human aggression, development of behavior problems, dog-dog aggression, dog-child aggression
  • Dr. Ian Dunbar – Four-Day Instructor’s Workshop – May 6-9, 2004 Dr. Ian Dunbar is a veterinarian, animal behaviorist, dog trainer, and writer. He received his veterinary degree and a Special Honours degree in Physiology & Biochemistry from the Royal Veterinary College (London University), and a doctorate in animal behavior from the Psychology Department at the University of California in Berkeley, where he spent ten years researching the development of hierarchical social behavior and aggression in domestic dogs. Dr. Dunbar founded the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and was instrumental in popularizing off-leash puppy training classes, temperament modification, and owner-friendly and dog-friendly dog training. He is currently Director of the Center for Applied Animal Behavior in Berkeley, California. Topics included canine sexual behavior, doggie play, social behavior, friendliness, fighting and biting, changing behavior and motivation of dogs and people and extreme quantification in dog training
  • Annual Dog Owners and Breeders Symposium – July 31, 2004 University of Florida, Gainesville. Topics included Physical Therapy, Epilepsy update, Home Dentistry, Separation Anxiety, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Feeding for Agility, Zoonotic Disease update, Injuries in Active Dogs, Osteosarcoma and Large Breeds and Urinary Incontinence.
  • Kay Laurence Seminar – November 2 – 3, 2004 Courteous Canine, Inc. Kay taught an exciting course on developing new ways of enhancing communication between dog and trainer as well as practical techniques to keep both energized during training sessions! Kay has introduced a method of certifying the level of clicker trainer skills called CAP (Competency Assessment Program).
  • Mote Marine Laboratory – January 21-22, 2005 Mote Marine Laboratory – Volunteer Animal Handler Techniques – Dolphin and Whale Hospital/Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital.
  • Cover, Kayce – March 20, 2005, in Palm Harbor Florida I attended a semi-private lesson and introduction to Bridge and Target training and Perception Modification. Kayce’s resume includes Certified, eligible for licensure, Teacher of Science, Virginia 2002, MSED, Old Dominion University, Virginia, Dec. 2002 BS, Animal Science, University of Maryland, Dec.1989 and more than thirty years working with multiple species. Check her website out at http://www.synalia.com
  • International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Conference – Animals & Other Nations – Coventry School for Dogs – Columbia Maryland – June 3- 5, 2005 – Behavior Consultants Conference – 1st Annual – Topics discussed and demonstrations included the following:
  1. Dr. Myrna Milani, MS, D.V.M., State of the Companion – Animal Nation and State of the Companion – Animal Client Nation
  2. Pam Johnson-Bennett, Feline Expert & Author, Feline Litter Box Troubleshooting
  3. Patricia Bentz – Case Study: Dog with Phobias
  4. Darlene Arden, Author & Toy Dog Expert – Small Dog Issues
  5. Panel Discussion, Steve Dale, Moderator – Beyond Training…Living in Balance with Your Animals – Panel included Pam Johnson-Bennett, Lynn Hoover, Dr. R.K. Anderson, Chris Bach and Dr. Joanne Oliva-Purdy
  6. Pam Dennison – Modifying Aggression
  7. R.K. Anderson, D.V.M. and Janet Velenovsky – Canine Behavior with Motivation & Gentle Leader Headcollar & Easy Walk Harness
  8. Lynn Hoover, IAABC Founder & President – I Have A Dream
  9. Steve Dale – Keynote Speaker
  10. Debbie Winkler, IAABC Vice President – Moderator
  • How to Conduct Behavioral Assessments for Private Consultations & Shelters – Sarah Kalnajs – July 25, 2005
  • Dr. Ray Coppinger, professor of biology at Hampshire College, author with his wife Lorna of the book “Dogs, A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior & Evolution”. Dr. Coppinger has studied dogs around the world, as well as being an award winning sled dog racer. The three-day seminar addressed the natural history of dogs, ethology of dogs, and cognition and emotion in dogs. The conference was held November 18th, 19th and 20th of 2005, at Wolf Park in Battle Creek Indiana. Wolf Park is an education and research facility devoted to the study of wolf behavior. Founded by Dr. Erich Klinghammer in 1972, the park keeps animals in large, semi-natural enclosures for observational research and education. The nearly two dozen wolves, two foxes, coyote and fifteen bison housed on the property serve as ambassador animals, educating the public about wolves, their relatives and prey species, and their management in captivity.
  • The Business of Dog Training: The Single Session Model – Rachel Friedman – January 11, 2006 – Conventional models of private in home dog training usually consist of a series of hour or 90 minutes sessions working on the specific training issues that compelled the person to call for help in the first place. Meeting weekly or twice monthly or creating packages of training sessions may in fact help the client improve his/her relationship in training the dog, but may miss out on the deeper picture of truly communicating an understanding of dog behavior in a real life context.
  • Basic Behavioral Neuroanatomy – February 11, 2006 – Lore Haug, DVM, MS, DACVB – Dept. of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine – This course was a pre-requisite to Introduction to Neurobiology of Behavior and Learning Part 1 and upcoming lecture (April 20, 2006) Introduction to Neurobiology of Behavior and Learning Part II.
  • Introduction to Neurobiology of Behavior and Learning Part 1 – February 16, 2006 – Lore Haug, DVM, MS, DACVB – Dept. of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. This course was an introduction to the concepts and vocabulary of the biology of behavior. This course served as a pre-requisite for upcoming courses, including the course on how behavior affects the brain in April 2006.
  • Animal Behavior Answers – Including Positive Secrets of Exotic Animal Trainers – March 18 19, 2006 – Dallas Texas. Presenter/Lecturers include Jesus Rosales-Ruiz, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Behavior Analysis – University of North Texas, Kellie Snider, Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst, and Barbara Heidenreich, Bachelor’s of Science in Zoology University of California at Davis 1990. Topics included the latest on Poisoning the Cue research and clicker training by Jesus Rosales-Ruiz and Aggression Research by Kellie Snider and Jesus Rosales-Ruiz and Secrets from and Exotic Animal Trainer by Barbara Heidenreich.
  • Dogs Bite: But Balloons & Slippers Are More Dangerous – Janis Bradley – March 22, 2006 – Dogs are dangerous. And they are more dangerous to children than adults. Not as dangerous, of course, as kitchen utensils, drapery cords, five-gallon water buckets, horses, or cows. Not nearly as dangerous as playground equipment, swimming pools, skateboards or bikes. And not remotely as dangerous as family, friends, guns or cars. Janis discusses the research she did for her recently released book (of the same name), which explores the reality of dog bites and dog fatalities.
  • The Cognitive Revolution – Dr. Ashlynn d’Harcourt – April 5, 2006 – The shift in the field of psychology from studying only stimulus-response behavior to include the study of mental processes (Cognitivism) may cross over to other fields, such as those involving animal behavior. This course covers the paradigm shift in psychology, starting with an overview of the philosophical roots and some of the more influential personalities of behaviorism and then cognitive psychology. From this historical perspective, it will become clear why cognitive psychology arose only in the last 50 years. We will also explore major advantages and disadvantages of each approach to the study of psychology
  • Introduction to Neurobiology of Behavior and Learning Part II (formerly “Biology of Learning: How Behavior Affects the Brain and How the Brain Affects Behavior”) – April 21, 2006 – Dr. Lore Haug – This course discussed how the brain actually changes because of behavior. We’ve always been told we aren’t supposed to let animals practice undesirable behaviors. This class told us why. This was a must for trainers working with serious behavior problems.
  • Managing Chaos at the Door Teleclass – Daniel Estep, Ph.D. – June 8, 2006 – Learn how to manage dogs at the door effectively without creating a chaotic situation.
  • Motivation for Behavior: Instincts, Motor Patterns and Drives in Domestic Dogs – Ken McCort – June 21, 2006 – Certain responses are due to learning and others are based on heredity. Knowing what they are and how they affect the dog are a very important part of understanding why certain breeds behave the way they do. They are also a key element for trainers to better understand whether a behavior is modifiable at all. Severely punishing these innate behaviors can have serious consequences on the dog’s well being. This session discusses what these behaviors are and how they affect our dogs’ lives with humans.
  • Empower or Overpower? Reaching the Middle Ground with Our Clients and Our Pets – Dr. Susan Friedman – What is the relationship between control and behavior health? Do we empower our pets and risk animal anarchy or overpower them and risk breaking their spirits? In this Telecourse, Dr. Friedman discusses what science contributes to the current debate.
  • Evaluating the Quadrant: Learning Theory in Practice – Dr. Ian Dunbar – August 2, 2006 Regardless of individual training methods and techniques, effectiveness depends on a thorough understanding of learning theory. Unfortunately, the creedal principles of learning theory do not necessarily work in practice.
  • 10Th Annual Dog Owners & Breeders Symposium – University of Florida – July 29, 2006 Topics included Heartworm Disease update, Heat Stroke, Identifying Life Threatening Clinical Signs, Herbal Medicine, Canine Aggression, Breeding Healthier Dogs through Genetic Counseling, Cancer Breakthroughs.
  • 8th Annual Florida Cat Conference – University of Florida – July 29, 2006 – Advanced Feline Behavior – Dr. Terri Curtis – Topics included Compulsive Disorders, Social Behavior, Communication & Aggression in Cats and Feline Inappropriate Elimination.
  • Tomato, tomäto; potato, potäto – what’s in a word? – September 20, 2006 – Jean Donaldson & Dr. Susan Friedman. Four articles were discussed, two from each author, as they have addressed the great dominance debate and the need for a standard trainer’s lexicon. A debate over terminology and effective communication is occurring within the companion animal communities. The dominance construct has permeated the dog, cat and parrot communities, and has even worked its way into the world of rodents and reptiles! This course was designed to discuss exactly what dominance is (or isn’t!) and how the terminology of behavior can help one become a better consultant and help turn our chosen field into a respected profession.
  • How to Read and Evaluate Scientific Research – Dr. Ashlyn d’Harcourt – October 4, 2006 – Companion animal professionals are working very hard to bring our chosen profession out of the Dark Ages and into the 21st Century! Most companion animal professionals are not trained in scientific research. Attendance for this course was to help gain a basic understanding of how studies of dog behavior are conducted and how to read them.
  • Resolving Behavior Problems Two Part Series – Dr. Susan Friedman – October 11 & 18, 2006
  • Part 1: Assessing Predictors and Purposes – Behavior is not something an animal “has” but rather something it “does” given some conditions and not others. When we think that problem behaviors are due to something inside the animal we naturally consider it the animal’s problem. When we think that problem behaviors are due to the conditions under which the behavior is demonstrated, we try to change the conditions, that part of behavior we can do something about. In this presentation, a model for assessing how conditions set the occasion for and reinforce problem behaviors was discussed. This model, called functional assessment, reveals answers to the three fundamental behavior-change questions: What (identify the problem behavior in observable, unambiguous terms); when (predict the conditions under which it will occur and not occur); and, why (what purpose does it serve for the animal).
  • Part 2: Building Behavior Change Plans Systematically – After completing a functional assessment of a problem behavior to determine the conditions under which the behavior occurs, the next step in the process of solving behavior problems is to systematically design a behavior change plan. The most successful interventions are those that arrange conditions to make the problem behavior irrelevant (provides the same, or more, reinforcement for desirable alternative behaviors); inefficient (makes it easier to perform the right behavior than the problem behavior); and ineffective (reduces or eliminates reinforcement for the problem behavior). In this workshop, a model for designing interventions was discussed as well as the ethical standard for selecting behavior change strategies known as the “most positive, least intrusive” procedural hierarchy.
  • Seeing the Forest as Well as the Trees: How to collect and interpret a comprehensive canine behavioral/bond history – Myrna Milani, DVM – October 25, 2006 & November 1, 2006. Because so much of science-based education uses a problem-oriented approach, it’s only natural that those engaged in treating canine behavioral problems would want to focus the bulk, if not all of their attention on the animal’s problem. However, nothing can be more frustrating—and embarrassing!–than to discover after-the-fact that a critical piece of information necessary to successfully diagnose and treat a canine behavioral problem was missed because an inadequate history was taken. In this course, we learned the fundamentals of quality history-taking and how to critically analyze and interpret the results.
  • Muzzling Dangerous Dogs: Is Canine Profiling Effective? Ledy VanKavage, Esq. and Debora Bresch, Esq., Legislative Services, ASPCA. – November 14, 2006 – Dog attacks and legislators act. The presentation included facts regarding dog attacks and what public policies do and don’t do. This discussion included how to construct effective dangerous dog laws to protect the public and the rights of responsible dog owners.
  • The Business of Burnout – Dani Weinberg, Ph.D. – November, 29, 2006 Burnout is the ultimate crisis of self-esteem, so it’s easy to see how being in that state can have an impact on our business success. Taking money for our services can be especially difficult when self-esteem is low. In this session, we discussed some of the major sources of burnout – the Dreaded “Shoulds” and the Warm Fuzzies – and how to get past them and back to functioning happily and effectively.
  • Order Out of Chaos I: Collecting and Analyzing a Comprehensive Canine Separation Anxiety History – Myrna Milani, DVM – March 7, 14, 21, 2007. The course objective was to provide critical thinking skills necessary to collect and analyze the diverse background information that contributes to the equally diverse problem behaviors collectively known as Separation Anxiety (SA). Aggression cases often carry more cachet because of the element of danger inherent in them, but cases involving separation anxiety displays may pose much greater challenges.
  • Order Out of Chaos II: Formulating Viable Separation-Anxiety Treatment Programs – Myrna Milani, DVM – May 9, 16, and 23, 2007. The course objective provided participants with skills necessary to convert information gathered in the Separation Anxiety history to a viable treatment program for a particular dog suffering from some form of Separation Anxiety in a particular physical and emotional environment. Limitations of a one-size-fits-all treatment approach to these problems becomes obvious after a complete history is retained. To address this problem this course offered a 3-pronged treatment approach designed to take into account the variety of contributing factors that may complicate this type of case. The first focuses on the dog: What treatment options are available and which would best alleviate the stress that is causing this animal’s problem behavior? The second considers environmental factors that may be altered or eliminated. The third considered the client: What can they do to eliminate those elements in their relationship with the dog that are contributing to this animal’s stress?
  • 11th Annual Dog Owners & Breeders Symposium – University of Florida – August 4, 2007
    • A.M. Session included Positive Training Techniques, How We Save Teeth, Avoiding and Managing Ear Disease, Neonatal Care, The Itchy Dog, Vaccine update, Genetic Testing and Counseling, Imaging News, Heart updates, Breed Specific Ocular Issues, Obesity.
    • P.M Session – Senior Care topics covering Aging, Kidneys, Cancer, Arthritis, Hypothyroidism fact or fiction, Pain management, Cataracts, Strokes and Dementia and the Failing Heart.
  • Limited Editions Seminar A New Dog Dawning: Rethinking common beliefs that undermine canine health, behavior, and the human-canine bond with Myrna Milani, MS, DVM August 11-12, 2007. This was a private session in Charlestown, NH. Discussion included the continued role these beliefs play in the physical and behavioral deterioration of companion dogs. The beliefs discussed included:
  1. Humans domesticated dogs
  2. A healthy, well-behaved dog creates a solid bond with the owner
  3. Scientific evidence = truth
  4. The problem-oriented method is the best way to resolve canine medical and behavioral problems
  5. Dogs love us unconditionally.
  6. Responsible dog owners spay or neuter their pets
  7. Faulty genes cause problems
  8. Positive methods represent the most humane and natural way to teach dog
  • Limited Editions Seminar A New Dog Dawning: Rethinking common beliefs that undermine canine health, behavior, and the human-canine bond with Myrna Milani, MS, DVM October 4 – 5, 2008. Attendance at this session was not simply repeating last year’s topics. It was further in-depth study of these same topics as well as new emerging studies or ideas pertaining to these topics. This was a semi-private session held in Charlestown, NH at Dr. Milani’s home. Discussion included the continued role the following beliefs play in the physical and behavioral deterioration of companion dogs. The topics and associated beliefs discussed included:
  1. Humans domesticated dogs
  2. A healthy, well-behaved dog creates a solid bond with the owner
  3. Scientific evidence = truth
  4. The problem-oriented method is the best way to resolve canine medical and behavioral problems
  5. Dogs love us unconditionally.
  6. Responsible dog owners spay or neuter their pets
  7. Faulty genes cause problems
  8. Positive methods represent the most humane and natural way to teach dogs
  • Companion Animal Ethology Practical Insights into Physiology, Behavior, and the Human-Animal Bond with Myrna Milani, BS, DVM, April 18-19, 2009 sponsored by Canine Country Academy in Dacula Georgia.
  • International Association Animal Behavior Consultants Providence RI April 1,2 & 3, 2011 Multi-species and species-specific presentations on Behavior and Advanced Behavior, speakers:
  1. Brenda Aloff “Negative reinforcement is not an Evil Phrase”
  2. Bob Bailey “One Man’s History of Applied Animal Psychology” and “Behavior Economics: How Much is that Cookie Worth?
  3. Dr. Nicholas Dodman “Compulsive Behavior Across Species”
  4. Dr. Frank McMillan (Best Friends) “Psychological Aspects of Abuse and Neglect” and “Psychological Trauma in Animals: PTSD and Beyond
  5. Dr. Myrna Milani “Where The Sun Don’t Shine ~ The Dark Side of the Human Animal Bond”
  6. Kathryn Lord “Sensory Development in Wolves vs Dogs”
  7. Ken McCort “Animals and Intention Thinking: Do they do it and is it necessary?”
  8. Dr. Jim Akenhead “The Well-Balanced Rockstar,” assessing operating style and foundation thinking system
  9. Victoria Stillwell
  10. Dr. Sheila D’Arpino “Working with Food Aggressive Dogs”
  11. Barbara Handelman “Two species, Same Solution: Clicker Training for Powerful Pullers”
  12. Gina Phairas (DogTech) “Training for a Living” Day training
  13. Cara Shannon “Leash Lungers Anonymous”
  14. Multi-species Panel “Developing Self Control: A Multi-Species Panel”
  • Dr. Roger Abrantes, Ph.D. Evolutionary Biology and Ethology, BA Philosophy. Dr. Abrantes is known for his views on social behavior, its applications to the daily understanding of pet behavior, his no-nonsense working methods, practical, thorough application of ethology and learning theory, teaching new patterns patiently and step by step. Presented by University of Doglando Orlando Florida May 13, 14 & 15, 2011
  1. The Evolution of Canine Social Behavior Dog Language
  2. The Brave New World of Dog Training Science with a Brain and Heart Day One
  3. The Brave New World of Dog Training Science with a Brain and Heart Day Two
  • Deconstructing the Growl Rethinking Canine Aggression with Dr. Sophia Yin and Sarah Kalnajs September 10th and 11th, 2011 Orlando FL.
  1. Training that works for all Creatures
  2. Recognizing Brewing Aggression Problems in Dogs
  3. Rapid Reversal of Brewing Aggression Problems
  4. Where Did It All Go Wrong:
  5. Fixing What Went Wrong
  6. Dominance vs. Leadership: Wolf Behavior & Dominance Theory as Poor Models for Understanding Dogs
  7. Learn to Earn: Safe & Fun Alternatives to the Alpha Role
  8. The Many Faces of Fear and Aggression: Taking your techniques to the next level
  • The Well Adjusted Cat – One Day Workshop Secrets to Understanding Feline Behavior. With Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Friday, Nov 4th, 2011. Hosted by Florida Atlantic University Davie, FL 33314
  • The Well Adjusted Dog – Two Day Workshop Secrets to Understanding Canine Behavior. With Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Saturday & Sunday, Nov 5th & 6th, 2011, Hosted by Florida Atlantic University Davie, FL 3331
  • Tuning Into your Dog A weekend with Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., CAAB and Kathy Sdao, M.A., ACAAB
  1. An Up-to-the-Minute Update on Canine Communication, Patricia McConnell, January 7, 2012
  2. What not to Err: Training Mistakes that Create Headaches for Dogs and A Lot in Life is Free: An Alternative to Rank-based Training Models, Kathy Sdao, January 8, 2012
  • Saving Lives with Antibody Titer Tests September 2011

Leading vaccine researcher Dr. Ronald Schultz doesn’t want to see any more shelter pets die just because they’ve been exposed to a deadly infectious disease. That’s why he offered a shelter a chance to make a different choice during their next outbreak, allowing them to save the lives of 17 dogs. How did they do it? With the use of a simple in-house antibody titer test that revealed which pets had an immunity to the disease.

What was covered:

  • What an antibody titer test measures
  • The types and meaning of “immunity”
  • How to read/interpret an antibody titer
  • How we know titer tests work, and for what diseases
  • The research behind the TiterCHEK and VacciCheck on-site tests
  • Recommended core canine and feline vaccines
  • How to prevent or reduce shelter outbreaks with antibody titer testing
  • Antibody titer testing for companion animals
  • Your Secret Feline Decoder Ring: Feline Behavior Assessments May 17, 2012

Your Secret Feline Decoder Ring: Feline Behavior Assessments with Maddie’s InstituteSM consultant Susan Krebsbach, DVM. Dr. Krebsbach presented an overview of the unique behavior characteristics of the cat, what those characteristics are telling us, as well as how to use that information in formal feline behavior assessments. What we learned:

  • Why what we know about dog behavior assessments may not help us with cats
  • The nuts and bolts of how feline behavior assessments work
  • Challenges of designing and using feline behavior assessments, and additional work that needs to be done in the field
  • The pros and cons of currently available feline behavior assessment tools
  • How to conduct a behavioral intake exam for a cat
  • Tips for creating a plan that will lead to eventual successful placement in a home, rescue group, barn cat program, or other appropriate outcome
  • How to assess behavior on an ongoing basis to determine whether the individual plan needs to be revised
  • Vero Beach FL – Simple Solutions for Common Dog Behavior & Training Problems, with Dr. Ian Dunbar, Friday November 15th 2013. This seminar will offer simple solutions for the most common dog behavior and training problems, including: house-soiling, destructive chewing, excessive barking, digging, home-alone problems (and separation anxiety), hyperactivity, jumping-up, not coming when called, pulling on leash, leash reactivity to other dogs, plus lack of attention and compliance
  • Orlando FL — Common-Sense, Crucial & Cutting-Edge Concepts in Dog Behavior & Training, with Dr. Ian Dunbar, Tuesday 19th November 2013. This seminar comprises a collection of diverse concepts and topics that Dr. Dunbar considers to be crucially important for raising and training dogs to be good-natured, well-behaved and reliable off-leash. Much of the syllabus comprises the highlights of Dr. Dunbar’s “Science-Based Dog Training (with Feeling)” seminar series as it evolved over the course of three years. The greater part of the seminar will describe how to motivate dogs for reliability, speed, precision & panache — when off-leash, at a distance and without the continued need for training aids. This is the area of dog training that has welcomed numerous innovative developments over the past few years, especially including, motivation for on-demand, extreme off-leash reliability in an otherwise happy-go-lucky (off-duty) dog, plus techniques for eliminating lack of compliance and undesirable behavior without having to resort to aversive means.
  • St. Petersburg FL – New Concepts for the Treatment & Prevention of Dog Aggression , with Dr. Ian Dunbar, Wednesday November 20th 2013. Dog-dog and dog-human aggression appears to be primarily fear-based as so often diagnosed by successful prevention (socialization), or treatment of existing problems. Whereas it is no surprise that dogs develop predictable behavior problems such as house-soiling, chewing, digging and barking — these behaviors are quintessential dog; it’s what dogs do — people are always surprised when later in life, their friendly and socialized puppy becomes shy, standoffish, wary, fearful, reactive and aggressive towards people or other dogs, even though developing fear of the unfamiliar later in life is a normal and adaptive development process. Early (very early) super-socialization and ongoing classical conditioning usually prevent these fears from developing.

  • International College of Canine Studies E-Training for Dogs – Chomp: Predatory Behavior in Wolves and Dogs with Monty Sloan, January 13, 2014

  • The Genetic Basis for Canine Behavior conference in conjunction with International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2014 and Sunday, April 13, 2014
Overview of Conference Goals Nicholas H. Dodman (BVMS, DACVA,DACVB)
Compulsive Behavior in Dobermans Alice Moon-Fanelli (PhD, CAAB)
Genotype of Behavior Disorders Elinor Karlsson (PhD)
Separation Anxiety Stephanie Borns-Weil (DVM)
Thunderstorm Phobia Nicholas H. Dodman (BVMS, DACVA,DACVB)
Case Studies – OCD, Separation Anxiety and other COOL Cases Stephanie Borns-Weil (DVM)
Evolution of Animal Behaviors I Ray Coppinger (PhD)
Evolution of Animal Behaviors II Ray Coppinger (PhD)
How Do These Evolutionary Behaviors Manifest Themselves? Stephanie Borns-Weil (DVM)
Fear Free Vet Visits Part One Marty Becker (DVM)
Fear Free Vet Visits Part Two Marty Becker (DVM)
What Have We Learnt and What Do We Do With It? Panel Discussion
  • Treating Behavior Problems with Medication: The what, when, why and how – with Dr. Lore Haug, DVM, Board Certified American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, completed April 14, 2014
  • Fur Babies, From Wolf to Child An exploration of humans parenting animals and what that means to today’s canine companions. Is it “good” for them, or harmful? Speaker: Shelly Volsche, CPDT-KA, DipCFN May 8, 2014
  • Healthy Mind, Healthy Dog, Canine Anxiety and Dog Health, Speaker: Niwako Ogata, Ph.D., ACVB, Completed May 11, 2014, Common companion animal behavior problems seen in behavior clinics often stem from anxiety.
  • SPARCS Conference (Live Feed) June 21-23, 2014 See Topics Covered Here: SPARCS 2014 Conference Live Feed
  • Nutrigenomics for Dogs: Creating Health & Vitality through Food With Dr. Jean Dodds, February 2015
  • Pick the brain first: The right nose, breed, and training method will follow With Simon Gadbois, July 14, 2015

  • Keys, Guidelines and Protocols For Working With Pet Behavior Problems Behavior Education Network Completed July 17, 2015 Certificate Issued

  • Windows of Opportunity: A New Look At Canine Socialization Speaker: Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB September 29, 2015 Veterinarians and trainers often recommend “socialization” to owners of young puppies as part of standard education and care. Most recommendations are focused on exposing the puppies to a variety of stimuli including children, novel objects and body handling. It is important to recognize that socialization outcomes are affected by more than just these experiences. Long term socialization and adult behavior patterns can be affected by genetic influences as well as by specific experiences during multiple developmental stages including the prenatal, neonatal and early socialization periods. Current research and recommendations will be discussed.
  • Safety and Defensive Handling With Aggression- Trish McMillan Loehr, MSc, CDBC, CPDT-K – Do you work with dogs who have a history of aggression or have an interest in maximizing safety in aggression cases? Presented by Trish McMillan Loehr, MSc, CPDT-KA, CDBC and Michael Shikashio CDBC, “Safety and Defensive Handling with Aggressive Dogs” details the precautions that maximize safety for trainers, behavior consultants, and shelter staff.
  • Simplifying Complex Training Tools (Part 1) and Simplifying Complex Training Tools (Part 2) – Ken Ramirez – A review of some of the advanced but seldom used or misunderstood tools – a discussion of the science behind each tool and the practical applications of these tools. These could include Jackpots, Timeouts (TO), End of Session Signals (ESS), Behavior Chains, Least Reinforcing Scenario (LRS), Keep Going Signals (KGS), No Reinforcement Markers (NRM), Recall Signals, Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Responses (DRA).
  • Separation Anxiety – John J. Ciribassi DVM, DACVB – A review of the treatment and handling of separation anxiety in dogs, including case studies, by noted veterinary behaviorist Dr. John Ciribassi.

  • Understanding Cat Behavior: Five Big Ideas About Cats – Matt Wildman HSUS Many cats lose their homes because of behavior problems like inappropriate elimination, scratching and cat-to-cat aggression. But cat behavior problems are easier to solve than we think, and many of the cats that come to our doors or wind up on the streets could have stayed happily in their homes if we only had the knowledge and expertise to help their owners work through their issues. This webinar will explore 5 Big Ideas about cat behavior that serve as a foundation for providing effective cat behavior counseling to owners, and will give you the insights you need to help keep cats in their homes and out of harm’s way.

  • Pet Professional Guild 3.5 Day Force-Free Educational Summit November 16-20, 2017 Orlando FL
    • Dr. Karen Overall Keynote Address
    • Bob Bailey Craft to technology-the evolution of science-based training
    • Dr. Frank McMillan Research Behavioral Differences Between Puppies Obtained from Pet Stores and Non-Commercial Breeders
    • Dr. Nathaniel Hall Canine Stereotypic Behavior Research on Causes and Treatment
    • Janis Bradley In Defense of Anthropomorphism:When is a dog like a person?
    • Bob Bailey Behavior Principles: What they Are and How To Apply Them
    • Ken McCort Bridging the Gap-What Makes Training “Click”
    • Irith Bloom Collaborating with Veterinary Behaviorists
    • Pat Miller Ethical Dilemmas Working Session
    • Bob Bailey The Business of Getting Behavior: The Business of Teaching Training to Others
    • Dr. Sally Foote The Top Five Low Stress Handling Techniques for Canines
    • Dr. Soraya Juarbe Diaz A Horse of a Different Color-Case Study on Equine Behavior
    • Dr. Sally Foote Threshold Learning
  • Exploring Canine Attachment Behavior December 12, 2017 Lauren Thielke, MS
  • S.A.N.E. Solutions for Shy and Fearful Dogs Kathy Cascade, Jan 27-28th 2018
  • 2-day Rocket Recall Workshop Hosted by Cold Nose College June 23 and 24 2018 at The Hinton Center, located at 2330 Hinton Center Rd, Hayesville, NC 28904.
  • Arousal, Anxiety & Fear: Empathy, Understanding and Options for Anxious or Fearful Dogs Vimeo Presentation with Suzanne Clothier December 3, 2018
  • The Top Ten Most Important Dog Training Knowledge Concepts You Need Your Clients To Understand, 01.19.19 Niki Tudge Presenter
  • Behavior Geeks – Fine Tune Your Training Skills In a New Context & Learn To Scientifically Track Your Training Progress, Seminar DogNostics Career and Training Facility, Wesley Chapel FL, Feb 9th-10th, 2019
  • Keeping Things in Balance. Presented by Alexandra Kurland March 2019
  • Dog Separation Anxiety – Mission Possible! Presented by Malena DeMartini, Thursday, March 07, 2019
  • A Process & System for Training People – Transferring Knowledge & Skills in a Group or Private Lesson Presented by Niki Tudge March 18, 2019
  • Stereotypies: What is Being Repetitive About: Eduardo Fernandez PhD, September 11, 2019
  • Communication, Interaction, Arousal & Problematic Behaviors, Two-Day Workshop with Craig Ogilvie, October 12th & 13th 2019
  • From Formal to Functional – Using Comprehensive Information to Effectively Assess Animals Presented by Dr. Carley Faughn Webinar October 18, 2019
  • Speaking Dog! Canine Coummunication Webiner Series ASPCA Pro, October 30th, November 5th 2019 Pamela Reid
  • Maddening to Maturity: Understanding & Helping the Adolescent Dog, November 13, 2019 Suzanne Clothier
  • Treat-Retreat Basics, December 12, 2019 Suzanne Clothier
  • Emotional Dog. Presented by Dr Robert Falconer-Taylor BVetMed DipCABT MRCVS, January 29th 2020, Live Webinar
  • I’ll Be Back, I’ll Be Here, February 6, 2020 Suzanne Clothier
  • Ken Rameriz Concept Training: An Introduction & Overview – The Lemonade Conference May 2020
  • Denise Fenzi Is Positive Permissive? A Positive Parent’s Guide to Raising and Training Dogs and Puppies – The Lemonade Conference May 2020
  • Dr. Lore Haug Humane Use of Negative Reinforcement in the Real World The Lemonade Conference May 2020
  • Dr. Kristina Spaulding Stress In Dogs The Lemonade Conference May 2020
  • Dr. Kristina Spaulding Impulsivity and Hyperactivity The Lemonade Conference May 2020
  • Shade Whitesel Location and Arousal Specific Marker Cues The Lemonade Conference May 2020
  • Leslie McDevitt Unleash the Power of the Pattern: Voluntary Behavior and Pattern Games The Lemonade Conference May 2020
  • Introduction to RAT (Relationship Assessment Tool) with Suzanne Clothier February 25, 2021
  • Harmonious walks: Redefining loose-leash walking with Nancy Tucker June 24th 2021 Live Webinar
  • High Drive Dogs: When the Abnormal is Absolutely Normal with Denise Fenzi June 24th 2021 Live Webinar
  • From Cue to Conversation: Deep Dive into the Look at That game and its baby sister, LATTE with Leslie McDevitt July 8th 2021 Live Webinar
  • The Forensics of Aggression with Jim Crosby, MS, CBCC-KA Course Began Nov 16th 2021- Completed December 15th 2021.
  • The Biology of Aggression with Dr. Tim Lewis Session 1 & 2 June 18th & June 25th
  • Victoria Stillwell Dog Behavior Conference  2022

    • ALEXANDRA HOROWITZ:  The “guilty look” of dogs thirteen years later: Anthropomorphizing in the dog world

    • MICHAEL SHIKASHIO:  “Don’t Bite the Hand That Feeds You!”  –  Success in Challenging Resource Guarding Case
    • STEVE DALE: How to be a Diplomat – Making Peace Among Cats and Dog
    • ZAZIE TODD:  Understanding fear in dogs (and what to do about it
    • SARAH FISHER:  Rewarding Education
    • KIM BROPHEY:  TRAPPED – The Effects of Captivity on the Modern Pet Dog
    • JUSTINE SCHUURMANS:  CODE RED: Helping Families Avoid Serious Trouble between their Kids and Dogs
    • IRITH BLOOM:  Quiet Please! Dealing with Excessive Barking
    • CRAIG OGILVIE:  Interactive Toy Play From Foundations To Practical Reinforcer
    • ANDREW HALE:  Understanding the emotional experience – a journey into the emotional truth of dogs
    • SARAH HEATH:  Who says I am not in pain? Understanding the role of chronic pain in behavioural change in dogs

    • VICTORIA STILWELL:  Help! My Dog is Out of Control! Unraveling challenging dog behavior cases