Dog Trainers’ Retreat on Aggression and Reactivity

Dog Trainers’ Retreat on Aggression and Reactivity

  • UNDER 18 WITH PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN

A three-day event focusing on working with aggressive and reactive behavior in dogs .

By Training Matters LLC

Date and time

May 30 · 9am - June 1 · 4:30pm EDT

Location

1104 Ames Hill Rd

1104 Ames Hill Road Brattleboro, VT 05301

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 30 days before event

Agenda

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

DAY ONE: Foundations of working reactivity cases presentation by Emily Lewis.

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Demonstration of the leash skills a handler needs to ensure safety, Emily.

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Break

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Dog-handler teams practice new skills with support of presenters.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Overview of popular relaxation protocols, presented by Casey Lomonaco.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Lunch

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Relaxation practice tailored to each working dog team with Casey.

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Break

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Teams will apply their new reactivity skills with support of presenters.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

DAY TWO: Alternative behaviors and applying them to reactivity cases, Emily.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Demonstration and coaching of "replacement" behaviors for reactive dogs, Emily

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Break

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Relaxation and enrichment practice with dog-handler teams and Casey.

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Lunch at the farmer's market

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Presentation on the history and science of enrichment by Sara Matters

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Teams will practice and apply alternate behaviors with support of presenters.

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Relaxation with dog-handler teams and sub-threshold triggers, Casey.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

DAY THREE: Presentation on changing a dog's emotional response to its triggers

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Demonstration and coaching counterconditioning and desensitization exercises

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Break

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Tailoring enrichment to your dog's breed and needs, presentation by Casey.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Lunch

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Teams practice and apply counterconditioning and desensitization exercises.

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Enrichment provision with working dog teams with Casey.

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Break

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Wrap-up discussion and goodbyes

About this event

  • Event lasts 2 days 7 hours
  • UNDER 18 WITH PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN
  • Free venue parking

with Emily Lewis, CDBC,

Casey Matthews-Lomonaco, KPA-CTP, FDM, FFCP,

and Sara Matters, MA, ABCDT, ABA certificant

Whether you're just starting to work reactivity cases, or you're interested in refining your skills, this workshop has something for everyone. A three-day event focusing on working with aggressive and reactive behavior in dogs, this workshop is aimed at professional dog trainers. In addition to providing the latest information on working with dogs exhibiting aggressive and reactive behaviors, how to promote relaxation for these dogs, and how to provide them with tailored enrichment as they move through training plans that may include restricted activities, the event will include four handler-dog teams. The dog-handler teams will be coached by Emily Lewis, certified dog behavior consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and Casey Matthews-Lomonaco, Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. Emily will coach the teams on leash mechanics, training techniques and plans to modify each dog's individual behavioral patterns. Casey will coach the teams in developing relaxation and providing enrichment.

Emily owns and operates Vermont Dog Behavior in northern Vermont. She specializes in aggressive behavior and other behavior challenges in dogs, and has more than 20 years of professional experience as a dog trainer, shelter behavior consultant and veterinary technician. Recently, she has been featured on the podcast Simplifying Shelter Behaviour.

Casey runs Wit's End Dog Behavior Consulting in Rochester, NY. Casey has more than 20 years experience working with dogs of all breeds and specializes in virtual training, supporting clients in far-flung locations. Prior to opening Wit's End, Casey was a behavior consultant with Behavior Vets in NYC. She has been widely published in numerous dog behavior and training-related publications.

Sara Matters, MA, ABCDT, ABA certificant, owns and operates Training Matters and Lemon's Hope Sanctuary in Brattleboro, VT. Sara specializes in taking a behavior analytic approach to solving behavior and training problems as well as developing enrichment plans. At Lemon's Hope, Sara cares for horses, sheep, a goat, rats, guinea pigs, and of course her dogs. Sara will present on the science behind the behavioral discipline of enrichment.

Dog-handler teams need to meet certain requirements established by the instructors. See the FAQs below to learn more and email sara@mattersdogtraining.com with any questions.

See other workshop details in the agenda below. Agenda subject to change.

Ceus:

CPDT: 15.5 CEUs for trainers and 4 CEUs for behavior consultants

KPA: 22.5 CEUS for trainers in working dog teams; non-working attendee CEUS pending

PPAB: 12 CEUS

IAABC: 17 for non-working attendees; 22 for trainers in working dog teams


Tickets

Frequently asked questions

What is the refund policy?

75 percent refund is available up to one month prior to the event. 50 percent refund is available up to two weeks prior to the event. No refund after that.

Are meals provided?

We provide a simple dinner on Friday evening as well as breakfasts and lunch every day except Saturday, when attendees go to our fabulous farmer's market in Brattleboro.

What is there to do in the vicinity?

The Brattleboro area offers lots in terms of the arts, music, food, outdoor activities and more touristy pursuits. We will send a list of possibilities to registrants. A few possibilities are the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, Stone Church, Kipling's Tavern and kayaking on the Connecticut River.

Can I attend if I'm not a dog trainer?

Yes.

Can anyone bring their dog

No. Four dog-handler teams will be selected to participate from those who register. There are participation requirements for those dogs. See below.

What are requirements for dog-handler teams?

We have safety and equipment requirements as well as other questions to ask and have answered, so please contact us at Sara@mattersdogtraining.com for a list of those. When you register as a team, we forward requirements for participation. If your dog does not meet them, we issue a refund.

Some topics:

How does the prior use of aversives complicate a behavior case? Safety procedures. Behavior assessment and tracking tools. Implementing relaxation protocols. Leash handling. Management strategies for improving quality of life. Creative outlets for physical activity and mental stimulation.

Organized by

Training Matters LLC

Organizer of An Introduction to the Neuroscience of Dog Training and Behavior

at

1104 Ames Hill Road

Brattleboro, VT