DISTRACTION TRAINING FOR TRAINERS! WAIT, WHAT?- SPORTS EDITION Emelie Johnson Vegh• LIVE (virtual) As good dog trainers, we work systematically and methodically through the challenges that stand in the way of fluent performance, including both routine environmental and novel distractions. However, our dogs aren’t the only ones involved in the training process—we are, too, facing similar challenges! Join Emelie Johnson …
Puppies Just Want to Have Fun: Designing Themed Classes for People and Puppies
In this interactive session, participants will discover how to design and deliver exciting lessons that bring fun and educational experiences to both puppies and their caregivers. Chirag will guide you through the process of planning and implementing themed classes that create laughter, joy, and valuable learning opportunities.
We Know About Start Buttons: How About “Continue Buttons?” with Peggy Hogan
WE KNOW ABOUT START BUTTONS: HOW ABOUT “CONTINUE BUTTONS?” Peggy Hogan • LIVE (virtual) Cooperative care, choice, control, and Start Buttons have become hot topics, even in the horse world. In a dialogue with our horses (learners), a Start Button is a first step in that conversation, and Continue Buttons are the second. In this Demo-OH!, Peggy Hogan will be …
Reinforcement Systems-Looking at Reinforcement Under The Microscope with Mary Hunter
REINFORCEMENT SYSTEMS: LOOKING AT REINFORCEMENT UNDER THE MICROSCOPE Mary Hunter • Chicago In some situations, trainers experience slow rates of progress, persistent unwanted behaviors, and low levels of learner engagement, even when they have what should be an effective reinforcer. What is often missing is a reinforcement system. While it is convenient to think of reinforcers as “things,” reinforcement involves …
Enrichment for Shelter Populations with Allie Bender
ENRICHMENT FOR SHELTER POPULATIONS Allie Bender • LIVE (virtual) From dogs to penguins to rhinos to alligators, behavior analysis has universal relevance across species, settings, and behaviors! At ClickerExpo LIVE, you’ll get the opportunity to observe a live behavior consultation between Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D. and the team at The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, as they teach a rhino and a …
Reinforcement Specific Markers with Shade Whitesel
REINFORCEMENT SPECIFIC MARKERS Shade Whitesel • LIVE (virtual) Does your dog leap forward to mouth your hand when you want to toss a treat, or step back anticipating a toy throw when you want them to take it out of your hand? Perhaps they seem “disappointed” when given a treat while you hold a toy in your other hand. Reinforcement …
You’ll Definitely Work In This Town Again: Learning Animal Acting with Melissa Millett
YOU’LL DEFINITELY WORK IN THIS TOWN AGAIN: LEARNING ANIMAL ACTING Melissa Millett • Chicago Performing in a commercial or movie may seem simpler than it actually is. Animal actors face numerous challenges, from working with unfamiliar actors to adapting to cameras and navigating high-pressure, distracting environments. Join us as we recreate scenes from real movies, TV series, or commercial shoots …
Holy Cow! Cow Training in the Field
HOLY COW! COW TRAINING IN THE FIELD Sarah Owings• LIVE (virtual) What happens when a long-time clicker trainer, specializing primarily in dogs, adopts a small herd of bovines? A new learning adventure begins! Targeting, offering behavior, and participating in medical care—just like zoo animals, cows are excellent learners. Join ClickerExpo faculty member Sarah Owings as she shares some of her …
Distractions Done Right-Cooperative Care
DISTRACTIONS DONE RIGHT: COOPERATIVE CARE Monique Feyrecilde – ClickerExpo Chicago Have you seen the videos of dogs having to choose between licking peanut butter off someone’s forehead and allowing a nail trim? Did you hold your breath, roll your eyes, or maybe both? There are plenty of alternative behaviors that would be better than the scary methods shown in viral …
The Lost Art of Capturing with Michele Pouliot and Ken Ramirez
Capturing involves marking and putting on cue behaviors that animals naturally offer. While capturing is often used in conjunction with other shaping techniques, the question arises: is there an advantage to capturing without prompts? Should capturing be done without considering the environmental set-up?
Join Ken Ramirez and Michele Pouliot at ClickerExpo Portland, OR as they share their perspectives and guidance on “capturing” as a technique for training behavior.