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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.

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Distraction Training for TRAINERS! Wait, What?

As good dog trainers, we work systematically and methodically through the challenges that routinely 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 as well, and we face similar challenges as our dogs!

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On the Mark or Not?

At ClickerExpo Portland (4/5 – 4/7) Michele Pouliot delves into two training choices: marking behavior or not marking behavior prior to reinforcement. As an enthusiastic clicker trainer, Michele constantly strives to utilize the power of a well-timed click. However, she also selectively sets the marker aside for specific reasons.

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The Leash Belay Technique

If you have plans to train dogs as you grow older, this Learning Lab is perfect for you. It’s also suitable if you walk large dogs, have clients with strong and untrained dogs, want the freedom of a long line without the risk of rope burn, or simply desire an additional useful tool to make training more accessible.

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Reward Placement and Resets

Learn about the benefits of thoughtful reward placement and reset treats through this real-time demo of cat and dog training at ClickerExpo Portland, OR (4/5 – 4/7)! Melissa Millett will showcase her trick cat, Sashimi, live, providing an opportunity to demonstrate the live acclimation of a cat, engagement/focus techniques, and management strategies for ensuring a cat enjoys herself at a dog event.

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Skateboarding: A Rad Window to the Soul of Training Decisions

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!

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Train That Chain: Behavior Chains

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. Let’s embrace this challenge!

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Cultivating Effective Reinforcers

Many trainers get stuck by thinking of reinforcement as a static entity. For Hannah Branigan, 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.