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 Ramirez 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.