CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Seattle, WA & Washington, DC
ClickerExpo LIVE • January 26 - 28, 2024
Stay Tuned!
CLICKEREXPO USA
Stay Tuned!
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Seattle, WA & Washington, DC
ClickerExpo LIVE • January 26 - 28, 2024
Only ClickerExpo LIVE delivers a live, interactive, and engaging experience with real-time training, coaching, and attendee participation opportunities in nearly every course. All times are Pacific Time Zone.
Catch the Early-Bird Savings!
Catch the Early-Bird Savings!
Register as an Early-Bird and save $50!
Don't wait! Fewer than 10 early-bird spots left, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Last Chance to Attend!
Registration closes on January 24, at 11:59 pm (PT). Don't miss out!
Sign Up To Learn More About Future Events
Registration for ClickerExpo LIVE is closed. If you weren’t able to join us this year, stay in the know about future events by subscribing to our Events newsletter.
BONUS EVENT - Thursday, November 17, 2022
All times are Pacific Time Zone.
12:00pm - 2:00pm • Thursday, November 17
Teaching an Old Llama New Tricks - Ken Ramirez
Course Type: Dem-OH
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Shelter & Rescue Work, Equine, Science, Skill, Other Species, Veterinary
Special Note: We can’t contain our excitement for ClickerExpo LIVE, so we’re getting started a little early with a bonus event, included with your registration! All registrants will receive the link to join by email; no additional steps are required.
Can’t make it? Not to worry, the event will be available to view along with the rest of the course recordings from ClickerExpo LIVE approximately one week after the conference (January 27 - 29, 2023).
Not registered yet? Make sure to do so by November 10 to get access to this exclusive event. Registered for DC? Make sure you have also registered for ClickerExpo LIVE using the code from your confirmation email.
Description: In October of 2021 Beso, a 13-year-old adult llama joined the alpaca herd at The Ranch (the Karen Pryor National Training Center). Ken will take you through the acclimation process he followed to teach Beso about The Ranch and introduce her to a herd of alpacas. This is the same approach that Ken has used for years to introduce dogs as well as other species to a new group of animals. Beso never had formal training, so there was a very little foundation to work with. In this Dem-OH! Session, Ken will present the process of integrating Beso into life at The Ranch and show you how he introduces new training tools and procedures to a new, but older, animal. Ken plans to introduce targeting, halter-wearing, tactile, and other husbandry foundations during this live session. You will see new training as it happens and have the opportunity to ask Ken questions about his choices and decision-making process as he shares the general steps of teaching an old llama some new tricks.
Although this bonus event is not CEU eligible, the rest of our program is! Click here for more information.
PRE-EVENT - Tuesday, January 23, 2024
All times are Pacific Time Zone.
12:00pm - 1:30pm • Tuesday, January 23
Let’s Talk Training with the Newest ClickerExpo LIVE Speakers
Course Type: Panel Discussion
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Business, Science, Teaching Others, Veterinary
What’s new? So much! Another good question is “Who’s new?” Six speakers are making their first or second teaching appearance at ClickerExpo LIVE. Ken Ramirez will moderate a panel discussion with Jennifer Kolar, Kathie Nurena, Linda Randall, Sarah Rodriguez, August Stockwell, Ph.D., Erynn Tomlinson, and Andre Yeu. Get to know these new speakers, their stories, and their training insights, and hear about the ClickerExpo topics that they are teaching. We’ll be talking about the intersection between training and generative artificial intelligence, the needs on the human end of the leash, the intersection of behavior and health, and more. Let’s Talk Training with the newest voices at ClickerExpo!
DAY 1 - Friday, January 26, 2024
All times are Pacific Time Zone.
7:00am - 7:45am • Friday, January 26
8:00am - 10:00am • Friday, January 26
Generalization and Stimulus Control: A Key to Successful Training - Extended
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Competition, Equine, Other Species, Science, Shelter & Rescue, Skill, Veterinary
Description: There are many factors that contribute to success in professional training environments. However, in the working dog world, where practitioners possess skills in training specific behaviors such as explosive detection, search and rescue techniques, and guide dog skills, the primary challenge often lies in transferring those behaviors to real-world scenarios and effectively managing the distractions that occur in everyday life.
In addressing this challenge, some trainers have historically relied on punishers to prevent animals from reacting to distractions and to help them stay focused on the task at hand. Nevertheless, professional trainers have increasingly recognized the negative consequences associated with the use of aversive tools. As they seek positive solutions, Ken has introduced the concept of better stimulus control through gradual exposure to unique and ever-changing environments.
By implementing a structured desensitization program, Ken has successfully improved the effectiveness and reliability of working dogs worldwide. A similar approach has also been utilized to enhance husbandry training within the zoological community. Teaching animals to anticipate the unexpected and improving stimulus control through systematic desensitization can revolutionize day-to-day training in numerous professional contexts.
Join Ken in this Dem-OH! Session as he demonstrates the process and procedures he employs to achieve successful training outcomes in working dog environments, where success can mean the difference between life and death. Discover how this same approach can be applied to a wide variety of training situations.
Practical Lessons From Guinea Pigs
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Other Species, Science, Skill, Teaching Others
Description: Are you ready to explore the fascinating world of training through the lens of adorable guinea pigs? Join Chirag and his herd of 12 super cute guinea pigs as they demonstrate the practical application of behavior science.
In this Dem-OH!, we will navigate the challenges of managing multiple learners that live together in a social group. We will delve into the art and science of arranging environments to minimize conflict behaviors and maximize desired behaviors within the herd in practical ways. This Session presents a unique opportunity to learn effective techniques for working with multiple learners simultaneously.
Even if you don't work directly with guinea pigs, this Session is highly relevant to you. The principles and strategies we will cover are universally applicable to all learners and can be adjusted and applied to the learners you work with.
During this Dem-OH!, we will engage in training sessions, discussions, and answer your specific questions.
Cueing Tune Up: A Fix-it Workshop For Communication Glitches In Training
Course Type: Learning Lab
Skill Level: Intermediate
Topic: Skill
Spotlight Spot Prerequisites: We will have approximately three (3) Animal/Handler Spotlight Teams. Teams should have intermediate-level or above experience using a clicker and food reinforcement, with several behaviors already well on their way to being fully trained that are not quite on cue yet, or with behaviors that are supposed to be on cue but the learner keeps giving inconsistent responses.
Attendees who are not part of an Animal/Handler Spotlight Team can still participate from home with their own animals, alongside the teams but without faculty feedback. Prefer to sit back and observe? That's fine, too!
Description: When she is working with animals and their humans, Sarah Owings is often reminded of the iconic words of Inigo Montoya from the movie The Princess Bride:
"You keep using that word. I do not think that word means what you think it means."
When you say "Sit," and the dog either stares back blankly or flies into a dizzying combo of back up, bark, spin, and down, it is very likely the sound you are making with your lips, "Sit," doesn't really mean what you think it means. At best, very common communication glitches like these are endearing and laughable. But, on a more serious note, if humans and animals frequently find themselves on different wavelengths—especially if the human is expecting or insisting on compliance—confusion about cues can ultimately impact their bond.
In this hands-on Lab, demo teams will be invited to give their cues a "tune-up." We will pop the hood, run a diagnostic test on the current cue status of each behavior, and then get to work clarifying cues. We will use a variety of teaching strategies designed to make it easier and more reinforcing for the animal to hone in on the most relevant stimuli related to those cues. We will also explore some of the reasons why these so-called cuing errors happen in the first place and discuss options for responding in the moment when they do.
Run Toward, Not Away From, Your Horse Demons
Course Type: Webinar
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Equine, Other Species, Teaching Others
Description: This presentation is about excellence. What are the differences that make a difference? The answer may surprise you. For Alexandra Kurland, it begins with learning to acknowledge and even celebrate what fear teaches us.
As positive reinforcement trainers, our goal is to minimize fear. We strive to choose methods that don’t intimidate. We want to be kind. Fear is something we aim to avoid. Or is it? In the traditional horse world, riders are often taught to ignore their fear. It is about getting on and showing the horse who's boss. Riders who are afraid are often shamed. It’s a tough world, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Instead of pushing fear aside, pretending it isn’t there, or feeling inadequate because of fear, Alex wants to change our perspective. She wants to show you how to CELEBRATE FEAR, utilizing it to create excellence in your training. Alex will examine the positive outcomes that can arise when we listen to our fear and allow it to guide us towards safe, learner-friendly, and handler-friendly choices. Fear can manifest in various forms. It can be fear for someone you love or fear of someone who can harm you. Fear has the power to paralyze, cripple, and halt progress. Alternatively, fear can transform you into a better trainer.
Learning to listen to and acknowledge our own fear can uncover missing steps in our training process. Fear can motivate us to fill in those gaps and pave the way for teaching strategies that utilize positive reinforcement to shape behavior.
In this Session, Alex will delve into what that entails. One valuable outcome to celebrate is that acknowledging fear can lead to training choices that foster more complex and nuanced communication with our animal learners. The behaviors we teach expand their vocabulary, allowing them to replace fear-related behaviors like biting, kicking, rearing, and bolting with more subtle ways of expressing their needs.
Our animal learners can become active participants in a non-confrontational conversation, teaching us valuable lessons. Training equips us with new tools for clear communication, eliminating the need to fear one another. This life lesson is a gift from our horses and other animal companions. It all begins with acknowledging and celebrating the very thing many people want to avoid—their own fear.
Please note: This course was originally presented at an in-person ClickerExpo and has been reimagined and reinvented for the LIVE environment.
10:00am - 10:30am • Friday, January 26
10:30am - 12:30pm • Friday, January 26
Discover the Power of Strategic Reinforcement Events
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Competition, Skill, Teaching Others
Description: Michele Pouliot has established herself as a leading figure in multiple training fields. Her deep understanding and extensive work with hundreds of animals has made her a practitioner and advocate for helping trainers learn strategic reinforcement—specific reinforcment choices and procedures that enhance communication and accelerate training progress.
It is through this approach that Michele continuously refines and elevates her training outcomes. Each year, the animals she trains teach her new valuable lessons about its potency.
The core of Michele's approach encompasses a deliberate arrangement of what, how, and where reinforcement is delivered. This approach includes the selection of rewards, the placement of the reward stash, and the actual delivery location, collectively known as the reward event.
While well-timed clicks or other markers serve as powerful cues that communicate the specific behavior being reinforced, the intricacies of the reward event significantly impact the accuracy and value of this communication. The individual animal's response to the marker and their subsequent reactions to what follows—the initiation of reinforcement delivery—reveal invaluable insights for the trainer. These reactions provide guidance and direction on how to proceed or adjust a training session. For example, the details of the learner's reinforcement environment and experiences often provide critical information that can substantially influence the trainer's choices regarding communication with the animal. Additionally, the manner in which reinforcement is acquired holds immense communication power.
Through strategic reinforcement, trainers can expedite an animal's learning process and cultivate enthusiasm for learning. It is a profoundly impactful aspect of clicker training that many trainers have yet to fully harness.
Join Michele as she demonstrates the power of strategic reinforcement events, helps you harness the potential derived from making reinforcement events effective, and discover the profound communication abilities available that will enhance your training practice.
Please note: This course was presented at a prior ClickerExpo. The course content will be similar, but the training is LIVE so the experience will be unique and you’ll likely learn something new!
Clean Training for Reactive Dogs
Course Type: Learning Lab
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Shelter & Rescue, Skill
Spotlight Spot Prerequisites:We will have approximately six (6) Animal/Handler Spotlight Teams. Teams should have been training together for at least three months. To participate, you will need a variety of treats and food-puzzle toys that the dog will eat/engage with readily.
Attendees who are not part of an Animal/Handler Spotlight Team can still participate from home with their own animals, alongside the teams but without faculty feedback. Prefer to sit back and observe? That's fine, too!
Description: This Learning Lab is designed for trainers seeking greater reliability from their dogs. Reliability stems from clear communication with our canine companions. Regardless of the behaviors being taught, maintaining a clean training loop is always the ultimate goal. It involves giving cues, demonstrating the desired behavior, marking the behavior, and delivering reinforcement. Accurate cueing, effective treat delivery, and well-planned criteria are crucial aspects, even for the simplest of behaviors. Clean training is essential in all training scenarios, but it becomes particularly critical when working with reactive dogs and following protocols like Click to Calm, where reliable alternative behaviors can be life-saving.
During this Lab, we will begin by assessing the baseline communication between the dog/handler teams. Subsequently, participants will be assigned a few complex behaviors to teach their dogs. How do they approach these tasks? What skills do their dogs need to succeed? What unintentional behaviors are they reinforcing? All of this information must be taken into account to ensure effective communication.
Join Emma and discover how reliability arises from the development of clean training loops, free from unnecessary repetition. The number of times a behavior is repeated does not predict its reliability; rather, it is the quality of the behavior that determines the dog's understanding.
Skateboarding: A Rad Window to the Soul of Training Decisions
Course Type: Learning Lab
Skill Level: Intermediate
Topic: Skill
Spotlight Spot Prerequisites: We will have approximately four (4) Animal/Handler Spotlight Teams. Teams should have the following fluent skill of two or four paws on a mark/platform.
Helpful items for Spotlight Teams to have:
- Wobble board
- Skateboard
- Larger board to put on top of the skateboard
- Items to stop the skateboard from moving
Attendees who are not part of an Animal/Handler Spotlight Team can still participate from home with their own animals, alongside the teams but without faculty feedback. Prefer to sit back and observe? That's fine, too!
Description: A complex and super fun behavior, skateboarding is a perfect vehicle for examining some of the least obvious but most important trainer skills—how to break down behaviors and how long to reinforce a behavior before raising criteria.
See just how many ways a behavior can be broken down! This Lab will be virtual real-time training that includes problem-solving and breaking down behaviors into approximations. Watch and hear Melissa as she and the deo team train dogs and cats to skateboard.
The Art & Responsibility of Translating Training Concepts to Internet Speak
Course Type: Webinar
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Business, Science, Shelter & Rescue, Skill, Teaching Others
Description: Social media is here to stay. With it comes short-form and click-bait styles of information-sharing. For dog trainers it can feel not only impossible but also irresponsible to shorten our messages to appeal to the social media algorithms. We know how nuanced and individualized dog training can be, and how much information is within every concept we use. In our day-to-day practice with clients, we are not only used to being able to explain ourselves as much as we need to but to making training decisions based on the dog in front of us. When we go online to educate about training, we have to let all of that go and get straight to the point.
In order to spread good information about positive reinforcement training to the millions of people who use social media for information-gathering, we must learn to take all of the expertise we have and condense it into simple, bite-sized pieces. In this talk, we will review tips for condensing information, as well as doing it responsibly. You will even see a real-time demonstration of transforming a complicated dog-training topic into a social media post—including what to include to catch the audience's attention and what to leave out for this unique platform. This talk will demonstrate that it is possible to participate on social media as a dog trainer in an effective and thoughtful way, while still maintaining the integrity of your expertise.
12:30pm - 1:00pm • Friday, January 26
1:00pm - 3:00pm • Friday, January 26
Is Positive Reinforcement a Gateway Drug: The Intrinsic-Extrinsic Motivation Debate
Course Type: Webinar
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Science, Shelter & Rescue, Teaching Others, Veterinary
Description: The intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation debate is really a story about cultural values. But what does it even mean to say that behavior should be maintained by intrinsic reinforcement? Despite each of our personal experiences about how behavior works, some people value the idea of behaving in a world without tangible rewards. This point of view is often applied to dog training as trainers defend themselves from epithets like “the cookie pushers!” In the face of this debate, it is exactly the right time to shine the light of science on the question: Is it desirable, or even possible, to learn without extrinsic consequences? In this lecture, Susan discusses the research on this ongoing debate to better support an understanding of the two opposing points of view and discusses why understanding the role of tangible outcomes benefits learners.
Please note: This course was originally presented at an in-person ClickerExpo and has been reimagined and reinvented for the LIVE environment.
Train Faster: Speed Up the Process of Teaching New Skills
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: Advanced
Topic: Competition, Skill, Teaching Others
Description: Given the limited time we have available for training in our daily lives, coupled with the unfortunate reality that dogs have shorter lifespans than we would like, it becomes crucial for our training sessions to be highly efficient and effective. It is a complete misconception that positive reinforcement training takes longer than traditional methods. When executed correctly, clicker training can teach behaviors just as quickly, if not faster.
In this Dem-OH!, Hannah will delve into strategies for organizing your sessions in a manner that ensures efficient training without compromising the reliability of behaviors or, most importantly, your commitment to clicker training principles.
Get Your Marketing Fix(ed)
Veronica Boutelle and Gina Phairas
Course Type: Learning Lab
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Business
Spotlight Spot Prerequisites: We will have approximately four (4) Spotlight Participants. This Lab is for people, so there's no need to have your dog ready—let your dog rest! The focus will be on trainer skills.
All participants and observers should come prepared with an idea for a service they would like to develop or market. During the Lab, some participants will be chosen to share their screens.
For those attending but not participating as Spotlight Participants, you can still follow along from home, but please note that faculty feedback will not be available. Prefer to sit back and observe? That's perfectly fine too!
Description: Do you have a training service that you want to promote? A class that you would like to improve sales for? Or perhaps you have an exciting new program that you're unsure how to attract participants to? Look no further than this hands-on, interactive lab with Gina and Veronica of dogbiz. Their objective is to help you leave with a fully developed marketing plan that will effectively spread the word and bring in clients.
During the lab, you will learn the essential elements of creating an irresistible marketing message, and with the guidance of the dogbiz team, you will draft your own message. Additionally, you will explore a marketing approach that revolutionizes the game for positive reinforcement (R+) trainers. From there, you will select the appropriate projects to effectively disseminate your new message. Moreover, you can rest assured knowing that you will walk away with a simple, easy-to-implement marketing plan tailored specifically for your program, ensuring a steady flow of clients year-round.
All Ears: Protocols for Dogs with Sound Sensitivity
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: Foundation
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Science, Shelter & Rescue, Teaching Others, Veterinary
Description: An estimated one-third to two-thirds of dogs have noise aversions! If you saw 12 dogs last week, 4-8 of them are likely to develop noise sensitivities in their lifetimes. Not only can a fear of sounds be physiologically and emotionally damaging for dogs, but it can also strain the human-animal relationship.
Now that you know about the prevalence of sound sensitivity, what can you do? This Dem-OH! will provide strategies for working with dogs with sound sensitivity, creating calm behavior, reducing stress, and teaching desired coping skills. Debbie will guide participants through training exercises to develop a safe place designed to become self-soothing for the dog. Join Debbie for this Dem-OH! developed specifically for the LIVE environment. You'll be all-ears!
Please note: This course was originally presented at an in-person ClickerExpo and has been reimagined and reinvented for the LIVE environment.
3:00pm - 3:30pm • Friday, January 26
3:30pm - 5:30pm • Friday, January 26
Taking the Bite Out of Tough Aggression Cases
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Science, Teaching Others
Description: Have you ever encountered an aggression case with so many complexities that made the case impossible to resolve? Do you have cases where dogs are not responding to the behavior-change strategies that have been implemented? What about cases where there are a multitude of presenting issues and you don't know where to start?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then this Dem-OH! session is designed for you! Join aggression specialist Michael Shikashio as he delves into the subtle details of other trainers' complex cases and provides guidance on fine-tuning strategies and behavior plans!
Let's Talk about Inclusion & Diversity in Dog Training with Ken Ramirez, Jennifer Kolar, Sarah Rodriguez, and August Stockwell, Ph.D.
Ken Ramirez, Jennifer Kolar, Sarah Rodriguez, and August Stockwell, Ph.D.
Course Type: Panel
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Human, Business, Teaching Others
Description: Join this discussion on inclusion, centered around the unique experiences of individuals working with or identifying as neurodivergent or physically disabled. Ken Ramirez will moderate the discussion alongside panelists Jennifer Kolar, Sarah Rodriguez, and August Stockwell, Ph.D.. Are you ready for an important dialogue that offers unique perspectives? Let's Talk!
Coaching Lab: In Real Time, Virtually
Course Type: Learning Lab
Skill Level: Intermediate
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Health & Wellness, Other Species, Science, Skill, Teaching Others
Spotlight Spot Prerequisites: We will have approximately four (4) Animal/Handler Spotlight Teams. To participate, teams will need access to a platform and a yoga mat.
This Lab is all about coaching others more effectively; participating teams should be currently teaching classes and/or coaching private clients.
Attendees who are not part of an Animal/Handler Spotlight Team can still participate from home with their own animals, alongside the teams but without faculty feedback. Prefer to sit back and observe? That's fine, too!
Description: This Learning Lab will focus on coaching others successfully. Lab participants will work one at a time. Lori will coach each participant through a small number of repetitions while the participant teaches a “simple” behavior. Lori will discuss her coaching choices, i.e., why she chose to offer a particular bit of feedback. This Lab will be positive, encouraging, dynamic, respectful, and kind.
As Lori discusses observation skills and how she approaches coaching, she will cover these topics:
- What’s the goal when you give feedback?
- the coach-goal and the trainer-goal - How to provide feedback to others
- words and tone matter
- the importance of being specific - Observe what is working and what could be improved
- Where to start with feedback and why? - The importance of: (set-up and the ABCs)
- the environment
- the antecedent - The behavior(s)/approximations
- the consequence - Observing the entire cycle or loop
- How much is too much feedback?
- When to provide feedback? How often?
- How to check your own coaching for each session
Ask and Dem-OH!: Great Questions Answered via Demonstration
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Equine
Description: Join Peggy and her Dem-OH! helpers as they share solutions and answer the most commonly asked questions. This Session will include demonstrations of answers as well! We will explore these common challenges:
- I can't catch my horse.
- My horse is rough when he takes food.
- I don't have hours in my day to train. How do I train my horse to do what I need?
- My horse won't move.
- My horse has separation anxiety.
- My horse is afraid of the vet.
- Do I always have to have food with me when I train?
Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions of their own—and see Peggy and her team demonstrate the answers.
6:00pm - 7:00pm • Friday, January 26
DAY 2 - Saturday, January 27, 2024
7:00am - 7:45am • Saturday, January 30
All times are Pacific Time Zone.
8:00am - 10:00am • Saturday, January 27
Who Is the Guinea Pig Now?
Chirag Patel, Eva Bertilsson, and Ken Ramirez
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Other Species, Science, Skill, Teaching Others
Description: Get ready to witness an exciting learning experience as Chirag takes the learner's seat and buckles up for a remarkable journey back to school. He is filled with anticipation and excitement as his teachers for this period are the amazing Eva Bertilsson and Ken Ramirez.
During this Session, Eva and Ken will use their coaching expertise to guide Chirag through interactive and engaging training sessions with his beloved guinea pigs. This unique opportunity allows you to observe first-hand the effectiveness of coaching techniques and practical training in action.
Immerse yourself in the demonstration as Eva and Ken apply practical strategies and principles from behavior science to help Chirag train his guinea pigs. Witness the power of positive reinforcement, shaping, and other behavior modification techniques in action. Even if you don't work with guinea pigs directly, rest assured that this Session will provide you with a wealth of practical applications that can be translated to various learning contexts.
Every day is a school day, and this session promises to be an invaluable opportunity for professional growth and learning. Don't miss out on the chance to observe exceptional coaching in action and gain practical insights to enhance your teaching and training practices.
Building a Better Trainer: How to Become the Best Trainer You Can Be
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Topic: Competition, Equine, Health & Wellness, Other Species, Skill, Teaching Others, Veterinary
Description: Join Emelie Johnson-Vegh for a Session on setting yourself up for success, just as you do with your learners. We often find ourselves dreaming and planning, only to fall short in execution or face unexpected challenges. This can lead to self-criticism and feelings of inadequacy. Emelie will address these common hurdles and guide you in treating yourself with the same skill and compassion you show your learners. The Session will focus on developing behaviors that aid in effective planning, enhancing mechanical skills, and positioning yourself for success.
During this Dem-OH!, Emelie will collaborate with four trainers to help them establish a sustainable training framework. You will have the opportunity to follow the discussions, witness Emelie's insightful questions, and benefit from her valuable suggestions. Gain firsthand knowledge of tips and techniques to train yourself to become the best animal trainer you can be!
Expect the Unexpected: The Skills You Should Be Teaching Clients but Probably Aren’t
Course Type: Learning Lab
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Health & Wellness, Science, Skill, Teaching Others
Spotlight Spot Prerequisites: We will have approximately four (4) Animal/Handler Spotlight Teams. Teams should be clicker-savvy and have clicker and treat pouch on hand. It would be helpful to have a second device setup to monitor you dog, and/or have camera options. Familiarity with Google Docs will be also be helpful for mission writing and documentation.
Attendees who are not part of an Animal/Handler Spotlight Team can still participate from home with their own animals, alongside the teams but without faculty feedback. Prefer to sit back and observe? That's fine, too!
Description: Have you recently welcomed a new dog into your home or are you considering adding one to your family? If so, then this class is for you!
The primary focus of this Learning Lab is to assist trainers who have clients introducing a new dog (approximately 2 years old) to their household. The Lab aims to facilitate the adjustment process through enjoyable training methods for both dogs and their handlers.
Throughout the Lab, we will concentrate on four main categories:
- Engaging in recall games—how, when, and why
- Handling husbandry—starting early with consent behaviors to enable relaxed interactions
- Learning to relax—teaching and building a reinforcement history for calm behaviors
- Equipping yourself with essential skills—providing dogs with access to reinforcers through behaviors you can reinforce!
Through discussions and demonstrations, Terrie will delve into the fundamental training skills that will benefit both trainers and their clients in the long term!
Behavioral Stages Versus Vaccines: Clarifying the Confusion
Linda Randall and Kathie Nurena
Course Type: Webinar
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Science
Description: Every trainer and training facility requires a basic vaccine policy for their puppy and dog classes. The definition of an appropriate vaccine schedule is evolving, as is the understanding of the different stages of learning in puppies and adolescent dogs. This Session will provide you the information necessary to develop a suitable roadmap for your facility.
With this backdrop, Linda Randall DVM, KPA CTP, and Kathie Nurena MD, KPA CTP, will examine the impact of vaccines and infectious diseases on the behavioral stages of developing dogs. The presentation includes an overview of current medical perspectives on vaccines, preventive measures, and the risk of contagious diseases in relation to behavioral considerations. Examples of discussions will cover topics such as puppy vaccines, common puppy diseases (debunking myths versus reality), the persistence of vaccine misinformation, and a review of new vaccine recommendations.
By the end of this Session, participants will be equipped to formulate policies regarding class attendance and vaccination status, with a deeper understanding of emerging trends in the incidence of infectious diseases. This knowledge will shape the future standards of care in the group training setting.
10:00am - 10:30am • Saturday, January 27
10:30am - 12:30pm • Saturday, January 27
Nurture & Nurture: Cultivating Effective Reinforcers
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Topic: Competition, Skill
Description: Many trainers get stuck by thinking of reinforcement as a static entity. However, there are numerous ways to enhance existing reinforcers and even create new ones from scratch. By applying effective training principles and recognizing reinforcement processes as learnable skills, you gain greater control over the strength of your reinforcers and, consequently, enhance the power and efficiency of your training. This session aims to delve into the factors influencing the effectiveness of reinforcers and provide strategies for cultivating more robust reinforcement procedures.
Please note: This course was originally presented at an in-person ClickerExpo and has been reimagined and reinvented for the LIVE environment.
Bonus Time - Cross-Species Care with Laura Monaco Torelli and Alexandra Kurland
Laura Monaco Torelli and Alexandra Kurland
Course Type: Bonus Time
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Equine, Other Species, Veterinary
Description: Spend more time with your favorite trainers in this informal, open discussion. Bonus Time offers a unique window into the training minds of Laura Monaco Torelli and Alexandra Kurland. Ask your questions or be a fly on the wall and listen to spontaneous, candid conversations about caring for animals across species, including cats, dogs, horses, whales, dolphins, primates, and more!
Expanding Your Services: Working with Clients with Disabilities
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Health & Wellness, Skill, Teaching Others
Description: More than 25% of people in the US identify as having a disability. Additionally, many individuals experience cognitive and mobility changes as they age, which can make caring for and training their dogs more challenging.
As a dog trainer, you are likely familiar with adapting your training plans and sessions to accommodate the varying needs of the dogs you work with. However, how comfortable and effective you are in teaching the human end of the leash when disabilities come into play.
Join Jennifer Kolar in learning how to adapt your training methods to better support clients with diverse communication, learning, and processing styles, as well as clients with varying levels of mobility. We will also explore the importance of accessible training services, creating inclusive training spaces, adapting lesson plans to suit individual client needs and abilities, managing diverse group classes, and finding adaptive ways to train skills and behaviors through creative thinking.
In this Dem-OH!, we will step into the homes or spaces of neurodivergent dog owners, as well as individuals with cognitive or mobility disabilities, and observe how they have adapted their training either through their own creativity or with the support of trainers. Come prepared with your challenges and questions, as we can problem solve together.
Strengthen your commitment to serving all clients by gaining the capacity to teach individuals with diverse disabilities. Join Jennifer Kolar and the participating Dem-OH! teams for this course that will expand your capabilities.
From Wingin' It to Winning It: Effective Strategy for Training Businesses
Course Type: Webinar
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Business
Description: Whether you’re just getting started or have been in the training industry for many years, understanding how to create a winning strategy is key to your success in attracting clients and beating the competition.
Sun Tzu once wisely said, “Strategy without tactics is the slowest path to victory. Tactics without strategy are the noise before defeat.” Most business courses teach tactics, but in this Session, Andre will share the strategic frameworks he used to achieve market dominance and grow his dog training business to over $1 million US in annual revenue.
12:30pm - 1:00pm • Saturday, January 27
1:00pm - 3:00pm • Saturday, January 27
Big Thoughts for Small Dogs: Their Training and Behavior
Course Type: Learning Lab
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Skill
Spotlight Spot Prerequisites: We will have approximately six (6) Animal/Handler Spotlight Teams. Teams should have been training together for at least three months. To participate, you will need a variety of treats and food-puzzle toys that the dog will eat/engage with readily.
Attendees who are not part of an Animal/Handler Spotlight Team can still participate from home with their own animals, alongside the teams but without faculty feedback. Prefer to sit back and observe? That's fine, too!
Description: Why is training small dogs sometimes perceived as a "special case" of challenge? While we must be clear in communication with dogs of all sizes, there are certain complexities associated with training small dogs. For instance, unintentional body pressure can hinder their learning process. Have you ever tried to give a treat to your small dog, only to have them back away from your outstretched hand? Undesirable behaviors in small dogs can arise even with the best intentions. For instance, when we pick them up out of concern when another dog approaches, they may develop reactive behaviors. What can we do about that?
In this Learning Lab, dog/handler teams will not only focus on obedience cues such as Loose-Leash Walking and Rock-Solid Stays but also on emergency behaviors that can help keep small dogs safe in challenging environments. We will also address common reactivity and aggression issues that often affect small dogs. Join Emma Parsons for this exceptional course that will provide you new big thoughts on training small dogs.
The Poisoned Cue Today Antidote, Avoidance, and Application
Course Type: Webinar
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Science, Shelter & Rescue, Skill, Teaching Others, Veterinary
Description: Much is known about cues that are taught using positive reinforcement, as well as much is known about commands that are taught with aversives. However, very little experimental research has looked at how discriminative stimuli (cues) work when both reinforcement and aversives are involved. Karen Pryor and others have reported that the interaction between reinforcement and aversives creates a new type of cue that functions differently from other cues (see Hearst & Sidman, 1961; Pryor, 2002). Karen Pryor called this phenomenon the "Poisoned Cue." She suggested that a cue associated with both reinforcing and aversive events leads to the breakdown of the behavior both preceding and following the cue. This may be due to an increase in avoidance behaviors and the uncertainty that exists regarding the consequence that will follow. The Poisoned Cue phenomenon is important because it reflects the complexity of teaching situations in the real world. Behaviors in the real world are rarely taught with purely positive reinforcement or purely aversive consequences. This presentation by Jesús Rosales-Ruiz will discuss ways that cues can be poisoned, how to assess if you have a poisoned cue, and ways to fix poisoned cues.
Thinking Outside the Box: Making Training Accessible to Those with Physical Disabilities
Course Type: Learning Lab
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Skill, Teaching Others
Spotlight Spot Pre-Requisites: We will have approximately four (4) Spotlight Participants. This Lab is for people; no need to have your dog ready—let your dog rest! The focus will be on trainer skills.
Attendees who are not Spotlight Participants can still follow along from home, but without faculty feedback. Prefer to sit back and observe? That’s fine, too!
Description: Attendees will learn how to think outside the box and use creativity to help their clients with physical disabilities succeed in training their dogs. Animal training professionals will learn how to discuss the client’s accommodation needs sensitively, whether the limitations are due to disability, injury, pain, or older age, and offer creative techniques to empower clients and help them reach their training goals.
Hold That Thought: Impulse Control For Teachers
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Teaching Others
Description: It may seem counterintuitive, but resisting the impulse to help your human learner may be the key to the learner’s success! Perfectly timed moments of silence can encourage learners’ focus and, ultimately, their ability to achieve independence. Join Theresa and learn to identify the triggers that make us want to gallop in with passionate talk and just “one more thing.” Instead, practice redirecting those impulses to allow learners to take time to reflect and organize. Just to add an extra challenge, we will talk about the strategy of looking AWAY from your learner to improve the learner's focus.
This Dem-OH! Session will be light and full of fun antics as we use TAGteach tools to challenge the instructional status quo. Join us and see if you can Hold That Thought!
3:00pm - 3:30pm • Saturday, January 27
3:30pm - 5:30pm • Saturday, January 27
Successful Aggression Work: It's Not About the Bite
Course Type: Webinar
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Teaching Others
Description: Many of us got into dog training because of the dogs. Then we learned that it's really more about the humans. In aggression cases, it's almost ALL about the humans. Join Michael Shikashio as he takes a deep dive into the consulting skills and secrets that promote successful outcomes in behavior cases. Mike will be showcasing the critical aspects of his conversations with clients, including setting realistic expectations, encouraging client participation, and establishing trusting client/consultant relationships that foster positive outcomes. There will also be an opportunity for some fun and interactive "client/consultant roleplay" where we navigate difficult conversations together!
Please note: This course was originally presented at an in-person ClickerExpo and has been reimagined and reinvented for the LIVE environment.
Love It! Effective Use of Non-Food Reinforcers
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Competition, Equine, Other Species, Science, Shelter & Rescue, Skill, Veterinary
Description: The effective use of non-food reinforcers is a critical skill that all trainers will likely use or need at some point in their training careers. The ability to use non-food reinforcers is extremely useful but requires both an understanding of their role in training and a well-thought-out training approach. This Dem-OH! will focus on how novel stimuli, like clapping and verbal praise, become reinforcers.
Ken will delve into both how to create new reinforcers as well as explain the keys to using play, toys, and tactile as reinforcers effectively. Ken will conduct live demonstrations of these techniques with his own dogs. This Session will help attendees gain valuable insights about how to maintain the strength of these unique reinforcers. Join Ken for an encore presentation of this LIVE Dem-OH! version of one of his most popular lecture topics.
Please note: This course was presented at a prior ClickerExpo. The course content will be similar, but the training is LIVE so the experience will be unique and you’ll likely learn something new!
Train That Chain: Behavior Chains
Course Type: Learning Lab
Skill Level: Foundation
Topic: Competition, Science, Skill
Spotlight Spot Prerequisites: We will have approximately 3 dog/handler teams. Spotlight teams should have a minimum of 5 behaviors on cue. It is recommended that the behaviors be relatively quick ("sit" is better than "collect those 20 sheep from way over there") and performed fluently. While a variety of cue types (verbal, visual, tactile, etc.) are welcome, there is no specific requirement regarding the number of cue types.
Attendees who are not part of an Animal/Handler Spotlight Team can still participate alongside the teams with their own animals from home, but they will not receive faculty feedback. Prefer to sit back and observe? That's fine, too!
Description: Behavior chains are powerful tools that enable the execution of complex tasks and provide flexible solutions. However, they are also a magnet for superstitious trainer behaviors and confusion. Laura VanArendonk Baugh emphasizes that chains don't have to be as complicated as we tend to perceive them. If your behaviors are fluent and under stimulus control, you already have a chain! Let's embrace this challenge. In this Lab, we will gather individual behaviors and combine them into a chain. We will explore how to evaluate if behaviors are prepared for chaining, experiment with their order, and delve into the important aspects of cueing and chain execution.
Please note: This course was presented at a prior ClickerExpo. The course content will be similar, but the training is LIVE so the experience will be unique and you’ll likely learn something new!
Let's Talk about Being Successful in Business with Aaron Clayton, Veronica Boutelle, Juliana DeWillems, Gina Phairas, Laurie Williams, and Andre Yeu
Aaron Clayton, Veronica Boutelle, Juliana DeWillems, Gina Phairas, Laurie Williams, and Andre Yeu
Course Type: Panel
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Business
Description: Join this discussion on achieving success in the training business with moderator Aaron Clayton and panelists Veronica Boutelle, Juliana DeWillems, Gina Phairas, Laurie Williams, and Andre Yeu. During this Session, panelists will share their candid backstories, shed light on the obstacles they encountered along the way, and provide valuable tips, tools, and strategies that enabled their success and can empower your own journey to success. Let’s Talk!
6:00pm - 7:00pm • Saturday, January 27
DAY 3 - Sunday, January 28, 2024
All times are Pacific Time Zone.
7:00am - 7:45am • Sunday, March 28
8:00am - 10:00am • Sunday, January 28
Innovation Through Collaboration: What’s New at the Zoo 4 –Lions & Pelicans!
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Health & Wellness, Other Species, Science, Skill, Teaching Others, Veterinary
Description: Nobody can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play it." (H.E. Luccock) These wise words reflect our ongoing goal as collaborators at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to improve animal welfare through innovative training programs. In this lecture, Behavior Curator Rick Hester and applied behavior analyst Susan G. Friedman, Ph. D., invite you to observe their live behavior consultations with zookeepers teaching a “pride” of lions and a pod (a pouch, a scoop, a squadron, and a fleet) of pelicans to actively participate in husbandry and medical care.
The Focus Bubble: Better Focus, Better Results, Better Feeling
Eva Bertilsson and Emelie Johnson Vegh
Course Type: Learning Lab
Skill Level: Intermediate
Topic: Competition, Skill
Spotlight Spot Prerequisites: We will have approximately four (4) Participants. Participants will need the following equipment: a cup; a pen; and something to act as a station such as a dog bed or towel. This Lab is for people and the focus will be on trainer skills—let your dog rest! However, if you have a dog available (not required), there may be time at the end to invite your dog to do a little training.
Attendees who are not Spotlight Participants can still follow along from home, but without faculty feedback. Prefer to sit back and observe? That’s fine, too!
Description: When you train or compete with dogs (or other learners), the goal is to be fully in synch. In this state, whatever is going on around you melts into the background and you are fully focused on the tasks at hand. Eva and Emelie call this the "Focus Bubble.” Fully trained, the Focus Bubble does not pop—it is entered and exited consciously and strategically. Eva and Emelie, an experienced training duo, have specific skills for creating the Focus Bubble, for staying in it, and for leaving and re-entering.
A key insight about the Focus Bubble is that focus is behavior like any other; once it is defined and described operationally and broken down into its components, it can be learned and put under stimulus control. By treating focus as a handler learned behavior with specific criteria, skills can be improved over time and the behavior can be generalized to new contexts. In other words, instead of trainers “getting lucky” and being focused, the Focus Bubble is something that can be created—it’s an outcome that can be controlled. Trainers love having control over outcomes!
In this Learning Lab, Eva and Emelie will expertly guide you through the process of building the behaviors necessary to enter and stay within the Focus Bubble. Participants will practice the key behaviors for getting and staying in the Focus Bubble, as well as for entering and exiting seamlessly. The Lab starts with exercises conducted without dogs, allowing you to master the foundational elements before taking them with you and incorporating them into real-life training scenarios. Trainers participating in the Lab will have the opportunity to develop the behaviors associated with the Focus Bubble, set up for developing stimulus control of the Focus Bubble, and learn how to navigate commonly occurring scenarios than can interrupt the Focus Bubble.
Enroll as a participant and get real-time coaching, train along from home on your own, or sit back and observe. Whether you choose to participate actively and receive coaching, train alongside from the comfort of your own home, or simply observe and absorb the valuable insights, this Lab promises to unlock your training potential.
Join Eva and Emelie in this groundbreaking ClickerExpo LIVE Lab and prepare to step into the Focus Bubble, Don't miss this chance to embark on the journey toward synchronized focus and take your training to unparalleled heights.
Training With the Grain: Choosing Better Alternative Behaviors
Course Type: Learning Lab
Skill Level: Intermediate
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Science, Skill
Spotlight Spot Prerequisites: We will have approximately four (4) spotlight participants. Participants should come with at least one problem scenario that they would like to work on. This Lab is for people; there's no need to have your dog ready—let your dog rest! The focus will be on trainer skills.
Attendees who are not Spotlight Participants can still follow along from home, but without faculty feedback. Prefer to sit back and observe? That’s fine, too!
Description: When learners exhibit behaviors that we find undesirable, instead of punishing the routes we don't like, we can provide alternative routes to important reinforcers. This life-changing concept, called differential reinforcement of alternative behavior, is a cornerstone of problem-solving with positive reinforcement. On the surface, it sounds very simple: we just ask, “What do you want instead?” and proceed to teach it. However, reality is seldom so straightforward. One common reason for the failure of this approach is that the alternative behaviors go “against the grain” in a given situation. That is, they’re above the dog’s current pay grade, or they are easy in other settings but incredibly hard in the problem context. For instance, we might ask for laser-focused eye contact instead of fixating on an intimidating dog, or expect the dog to remain still on a mat instead of leaping on visitors. We may request the dog to come, then touch, and finally sit with extended duration instead of bolting away. We might even aim for a general "sit and stay" instead of...well, everything! When the dog inevitably falls short, the frustrated owner dismisses our plan. The key to the success of this approach is choosing the appropriate alternative behavior for the task at hand—think existing skills, easier behaviors, faster behaviors, fewer behaviors at a time, more physically comfortable behaviors, behaviors that are more likely to access naturally-occurring reinforcers, behaviors that aren't typically “trained." In this Learning Lab, each participant will bring a problem scenario that they would like to address, and as a group, we will discuss and brainstorm ways to "train with the grain.”
Working with Neurodivergent Humans: Designing Affirming Services
Course Type: Webinar
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Business, Health & Wellness, Skill, Teaching Others
Description: The neurodiversity movement calls for an understanding of neurological differences across individuals and advocates for the social acceptance of people with nonneurotypical diagnoses, experiences, and behaviors. Neurology differences like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, sensory sensitivities, and other lived experiences are all examples of natural variation within the human species.
This lecture is for anyone who works with people... and especially for dog trainers who work with people and their dogs. Based on a collaboration with members of the neurodivergent community in the Chicago area, this lecture offers concrete strategies for promoting neurodiversity-affirming instruction, interactions, and professional services (both in person and remotely).
Topics will include the impacts of power differences and neurotypical privilege, diagnosis- and identity-based language considerations, ways to accommodate differences in communication needs, and the importance of prioritizing client values and autonomy. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and discuss how to apply these strategies in everyday life, both personally and professionally.
10:00am - 10:30am • Sunday, January 28
10:30am - 12:30pm • Sunday, January 28
Let's Talk about Problem-solving and Aggression with Laura VanArendonk Baugh, Terrie Hayward, Emma Parsons, and Michael Shikashio
Laura VanArendonk Baugh, Terrie Hayward, Emma Parsons, and Michael Shikashio
Course Type: Panel
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Aggression & Behavior Management, Human, Other Species, Science, Skill, Teaching Others
Description: Join this discussion on problem-solving and animal aggression with moderator Laura VanArendonk Baugh and panelists Terrie Hayward, Emma Parsons, and Michael Shikashio. Don’t miss their lively discussion, unique perspectives, and the expertise of some of the best authorities on aggression. Let’s Talk!
Meow Mix: Training Complex (and Astounding) Cat Behaviors
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced
Topic: Other Species, Skill
Description: In this Dem-OH!, Melissa will share her expertise training cats to perform a variety of complex behaviors confidently, on sets and in front of crowds! How does she maintain and build routines with cats? Set up training sessions? Train for this level of behavioral and environmental complexity?
Melissa will be practicing in real time with her three cats, each with different personalities and strengths. You will watch problem-solving in real time, as Melissa practices a multi-cat stay and recreates her training for the Lo Show dei Record, the Guinness World Records Show in Italy where Sashimi acquired a second GWR in front of a live studio audience.
Cat routines, handstands, skateboarding, driving mini cars—and more!
Bonus Time - The Science of Training with Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz and Eva Bertilsson
Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz and Eva Bertilsson
Course Type: Bonus Time
Skill Level: All Levels
Topics: Science
Description: Spend more time with your favorite trainers in this informal, open discussion. Bonus Time offers a unique window into the training minds of Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz and Eva Bertilsson. Ask your questions or be a fly on the wall and listen to spontaneous, candid conversations about the science of training, including what we know, what we don’t know, and what we only think we know, as well as any other topics that come up!
Level Up: How to Teach Effective and Successful Group Classes with a Levels Program
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Business, Skill, Teaching Others
Description: Imagine being a teacher in a group class where one dog/guardian team has just started, another has been there for 3 weeks, and yet another has been attending for eight weeks and is ready to graduate. Does it sound like a daunting task? Welcome to the Levels Group Training program!
Laurie C. Williams has made this format of group classes the cornerstone of her training business, and it has proven to be a solid foundation for growth. In her experience, many trainers are hesitant to explore offering this format due to uncertainty about its benefits and fear of its perceived complexity.
However, Laurie has found that this format offers clients flexibility (resulting in better attendance and adherence), higher-quality learning opportunities, more practice time, and more feedback compared to traditional once-per-week classes. A Levels program allows the trainer to tailor the training to each dog's individual needs, giving them additional time with a lesson without the need to progress at the same pace as everyone else. Additionally, dogs that quickly grasp a concept have the freedom to proceed at full speed. As for the operational complexity, Laurie has worked out the kinks long ago, making it a relatively smooth sailing experience!
In this Dem-OH!, attendees will learn ways to successfully offer a Levels program, observe a class in action, discuss strategies to market the format, and learn how to avoid pitfalls. Experienced group class dog trainers seeking an innovative and effective approach to providing individualized group classes shoud join Laurie for this innovative Dem-OH! and level up their skills!
12:30pm - 1:00pm • Sunday, January 28
1:00pm - 3:00pm • Sunday, January 28
Learn The Rules So You Can Break Them: Balancing Structure With Innovation
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Skill
Description: Two of the hallmarks of excellent training are the ability to create a plan and the ability stick to clear criteria. But successful trainers are also flexible, and adept at altering their plans based on feedback from their learners in the moment. Newer trainers often benefit from step-by-step guidelines and a rule book to follow. More experienced trainers seem to know when and how they can break the rules.
Finding the right balance between rule-following and rule-bending (or rule-breaking) is important. If a training session is structured too tightly, protocol can upstage the learner. A training session that is too open-ended can result in lumping, confusion, or slow progress. When you know how to achieve the right balance, you can find the right starting point for a training project with confidence and deftly avoid getting stuck along the way to completion.
In this LIVE Dem-OH!, learn to structure, assess, and continually improve training sessions while leaving room for innovation. Instead of getting stuck in the paralysis that can come from over-planning, discover the joy of letting your learner lead the way. Participants will each be given a training challenge. We will use Three-Act Training and the Brave Learning Rubric to tackle the challenges effectively one refinement at a time.
Join Sarah Owings and get comfortable with a little rule-breaking!
Please note: This course was originally presented at an in-person ClickerExpo and has been reimagined and reinvented for the LIVE environment.
Meet Learners Where They Are: What Does That Look Like for You?
Course Type: Learning Lab
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Health & Wellness, Skill, Teaching Others
Spotlight Spot Prerequisites: We will have approximately five (5) Animal/Handler Spotlight Teams. Learning lab handlers should have basic, intermediate, or advanced training skills, and be able to work with their animals effectively in a distracting environment with props nearby. Animal teams should be acclimated to a virtual training setup. Animal teams should be familiar and comfortable with basic equipment placed on/off their body, targeting, and general body tactile (head, ears, eyes, mouth, torso, paws, legs, tail), and the presence of a second person. They should also be familiar and comfortable with a variety of grooming and veterinary props (e.g., scale, resting a body part on an elevated surface, capped needles, nail trimmer, presence of and sound of a dremel, scent of ear cleaning solution, basket muzzle, gauze, nail file boards, etc.).
Attendees who are not part of an Animal/Handler Spotlight Team can still participate from home with their own animals, alongside the teams but without faculty feedback. Prefer to sit back and observe? That's fine, too!
Description: Excitement, exhilaration, and exhaustion. There is immense joy that comes from sharing our lives with an animal companion. However, some days can feel more challenging than others for various reasons. Whether it’s our own dog, cat, horse, or a client's pet needing help, the challenges are real. Sometimes, when it's difficult to find a solution, it can be easier to focus our attention on the animal learner and to blame them when our goals are not progressing. However, by learning to navigate empathy and focusing on educating the handler, we can advance the dialogue more smoothly and minimize frustration.
Let's imagine a scenario where your dog suddenly changes their gait during a hike. Upon inspecting their paws, you discover that one is more swollen than the others. A phone call to the veterinary clinic quickly turns into an emergency visit. The vet recommends a treatment plan that neither you nor your canine companion have practiced before. As the veterinary team describes the new protocol, you start wondering if you'll be able to administer daily five-minute paw soaks in Chlorhexidine. In addition, there's the challenge of dosing oral medications every twelve hours and applying paw ointment after each paw soak.
Now, let's consider another situation where you offer pet sitting services and arrive at a client's home after they've left for vacation. You find a note on the counter stating that their cat requires daily eye drops due to a recent medical condition. As you reach for the prescription bottle, the cat scurries off to hide under a couch.
These scenarios are just a few examples of the challenges faced by animal caregivers. Our preconceived notions of what our day-to-day responsibilities would entail have evolved into a different reality. This presentation aims to delve deeper into how we can involve the care team in the conversation, even when we feel lacking in the information needed to succeed. Through discussion points and practical examples, we will explore ways to support the animal, their family, dog walkers, pet sitters, groomers, and veterinary teams.
Join Laura as she shares client-team case studies and demonstrates how these collaborations have built successful strategies for progress. This Learning Lab will include live demonstrations and virtual guest participation, allowing real-time dialogue and problem-solving. Together, we will learn and grow in our journey to provide the best care possible for our animal companions.
Please note: This course was originally presented at an in-person ClickerExpo and has been reimagined and reinvented for the LIVE environment.
Clear and Collaborative: Working with Your Veterinarian
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Topic: Health & Wellness, Science, Teaching Others, Veterinary
Description: In this Dem-OH!, the primary goal is to forge keys that can unlock effective collaboration with a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist regarding behavioral issues in pets. For pet guardians, the veterinarian is often the first point of contact, making their role crucial in the recommendation and utilization of positive reinforcement-based approaches. However, the veterinary care team may not be familiar with the behavior science, The LIMA hierarchy, or the positive reinforcement trainer’s playbook. This may create overlooked opportunities and uncomfortable and frustrating conversations.
Terrie will shed light on the core challenges and principles underlying successful collaboration with veterinary professionals. Through the use of real-world behavioral cases, veterinary notes, and the development of sample behavioral plans, she will illustrate the practices that have worked for her—and can work for you—in fostering positive collaborations with veterinarians. Join Terrie as she explores how we can be principled and effective within the crucial context of behavioral health teams.
Using Artificial Intelligence to Improve the Lives of Dogs
Course Type: Webinar
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Science
Description: How effectively can we use artificial intelligence to meet the needs of dogs and their guardians? Can it aid in training? Resolve behavior problems? In this Session, Erynn will share her team's experiences and discoveries in their endeavor to interact with dogs using machine learning. Erynn and her team will cover the original premise, their findings, and the challenges they have encountered along the way. explore the significant opportunities and potential pitfalls of these emerging technologies. Erynn will highlight the creative collaborations and negotiations that resulted from this novel blend of animal behavior, user experience, and technical product development. Additionally, she will provide insights into the potential development and normalization of these partnerships in the future.
3:00pm - 3:30pm • Sunday, January 28
3:30pm - 5:30pm • Sunday, January 28
Setting the Stage for Success
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Competition, Skill, Teaching Others
Description: What is meant in training by “setting the stage,” “paving the way,” and “greasing the wheels?” How often have you heard “Set up the learner for success.” They all are phrases that are meant to prepare the training environment and conditions for a desired behavior or occurrence. But are you doing that effectively? Intentionally? Optimally?
Managing the training environment and setting it up for success creates antecedents that assist and even trigger the learner toward a goal behavior. Once a goal behavior can be prompted, the trainer can build a reinforcement history for that desired behavior. Setting up an environment can be using a similar scenario that prompts behavior for a majority of learners or customizing the environment to prompt that behavior from other individuals. Effective antecedent arrangements also include making undesirable behavior unlikely to happen.
Join Michele Pouliot in this Dem-OH! and dive into the process of setting up learners for success. Michele will be training LIVE with her own dogs, training totally new or “in-process” behaviors as examples of setting up for success. The demonstrations will be of pre-planning details to create environments that make specific behaviors likely to occur. A challenge for the trainer can be to recognize quickly when a “set-up” is not working well and needs modification. Extensive pre-planning may quickly show itself to be ineffective for that individual learner. In that case, training should stop and the antecedents should be modified to better prompt goal behavior.
Antecedent arrangements for individual learners will include the physical environment available, visual distractions present, luring methods, reinforcement strategies, trainer location, motivating operations, and developing behavior cues.
This 2-hour Session will be a combination of a presentation and LIVE training sessions. There will be a 5-minute break partway through the 2-hour Session.
Adapting Along the Way: Helping Your Dog Age Confidently
Course Type: Learning Lab
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Health & Wellness, Other Species, Shelter & Rescue, Skill
Spotlight Spot Prerequisites: We will have approximately four (4) Animal/Handler Spotlight Teams. To participate, teams will need a yoga mat or other non-slip flooring and a 1-2" platform with non-stick material (e.g., used for shelving or under rugs). It is essential for the dogs to maintain a sure-footed stance without any slipping.
For attendees who are not part of an Animal/Handler Spotlight Team, they can still participate from home with their own animals. They can join alongside the teams, but without faculty feedback. Prefer to sit back and observe? That's fine, too!
Description In this Learning Lab, we will delve into the aging process and explore ways we can support our aging dogs. When we see our dogs daily, we are less likely to notice the subtle changes that occur as our dogs age. When we do notice these changes, we tend to attribute them to aging without knowing how to address them. In this Session, Lori will discuss what to look for and suggest various adaptations that can help dogs age gracefully.
It’s always important to consult your veterinarian about age-related concerns and other observable issues.
Lori will cover aging-related changes and adaptations that you can make. She will provide examples in the following areas and highight how the loss of any of these functions can lead to changes that require adjustments:
- Hearing
- Seeing
- Proprioception
- Strength
- Stamina
- Cognitive
- Tactile
- Movement
- And more
Lori will also discuss several adaptations you can make to help your dog feel more confident, continue to function, and stay engaged with both you and their environment as they age.
Being Heard Among the Herd
Course Type: Dem-OH!
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Equine
Description: Working with a herd of horses—from two to many more—takes careful consideration and planning. There really is such a thing as "herd mentality.” To further complicate the training environment, horse trainers usually work with only one or two horses from the herd at a time.
There is no shortage of advice about herd training, but not much of it is rooted in positive training or accounts for equine clicker training. Since clicker training is not as well known among horse trainers as it is among dog trainers, it can be difficult to be "heard among the herd." For example, most horse owners have been told to avoid using food around horses, but that old wisdom, often doubled down on for herd training, can be counterproductive. Plus, apart from clicker trainers, thinking about how a set of behaviors taught to individual horses can be employed to make managing the herd far easier is not common.
In this Dem-OH!, you will see Peggy Hogan, accompanied by trainers Monty Gwynne and Anat Shalev, demonstrate a wide variety of individually trained base behaviors that can make training a herd safer and more effective. Training set-ups, the antecedent arrangements, for managing more than one horse even if no base behaviors have been trained, will also be explained.
Buckle up as Peggy and friends help change the “herd mentality”.
Bonus Time - Puppy Training with Laurie Luck and Debbie Martin
Course Type: Bonus Time
Skill Level: All Levels
Topic: Skill
Description: Spend more time with your favorite trainers in this informal, open discussion. Bonus Time offers a unique window into the training minds of Laurie Luck and Debbie Martin. Ask your questions or be a fly on the wall and listen to spontaneous, candid conversations about puppy training and any other topics that come up!
6:00pm - 7:00pm • Sunday, January 28
Closing Session: Training in the Field
Description: Join Ken Ramirez for this inspiring closing session. After a brief wrap up of ClickerExpo, Ken will provide an update on his elephant conservation project. He will also review past projects and discuss some of the measures of success or failure for each one. He will share the monumental challenges of overcoming significant obstacles, but he will also share the reasons for hope and explain why he continues to take on new projects each year!