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  • Online Workshop – 4/24/21 and 4/25/21 – The Power of Choice And How It Can Decrease Stress in Dogs – Loose Leash Academy (fee applies)

    Online Workshop – 4/24/21 and 4/25/21 – The Power of Choice And How It Can Decrease Stress in Dogs – Loose Leash Academy (fee applies)

    • Do you work with dogs who have big behavior issues and are stressed to the max?

    • Do you want to learn more about how giving dogs choices can help decrease their stress and improve behavior?

    • Do you want to add more to your toolbox for assessing and modifying behavior in stressed dogs?

    Join Irith Bloom (CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, CSAT, KPA CTP, VSPDT, CBATI, TAGteacher, VSDTA Faculty, DWA Faculty) and Kristina Spaulding (PhD, CAAB) for two days of interactive learning with working spots for 6 dogs. Irith and Kristina will present on the power of giving dogs choices and how it can decrease dogs’ stress and modify their behavior in a positive way. This workshop will help you hone your assessment and training/behavior plan development skills so you can work more successfully with dogs who are stressed out and have behavior issues.

    This workshop is open to trainers, behavior consultants, veterinarians, shelter staff, and anyone else interested in learning more about the power of choice and how it can help decrease stress and improve behavior.

    When: April 24th and 25th, 2021

    Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM US Pacific Time Each Day

    Where: Via Live Stream

    In this workshop the following topics will be covered:

    What is stress?

                Definitions and function

                Physiology of stress

    Why is chronic stress bad?

                Effects on health, learning/memory, and behavior

    Research on stress

    How can we reduce stress?

    Stress during development

    Control (or the lack thereof)

                Adding choice to daily life

    Improving coping mechanisms

    Enrichment

    Cooperation from the animal learner

                Training

                Petting

                Husbandry

                Walks

                “Room of one’s own”

    Why don’t we already do this?

                Human need for control

                Lack of understanding/cultural fog

                Delayed reinforcement (for human)

    Teaching animals to make better (by human standards) choices

                The matching law and why it matters

                Foundation skills for a choice-rich life

                Setting up the environment for success

    The Schedule – subject to change

    DAY ONE

     Lecture: What is stress?

                Definitions and function

                Physiology of stress

     Activity: How do you and your dog react to stress?

     MORNING BREAK

     Lecture: Why is chronic stress bad?

                Effects on health, learning/memory, and behavior

    Research on stress

     Activity: Evaluate your dog’s chronic stress load

    LUNCH BREAK

     Lecture: How can we reduce stress?

    Stress during development

    Control (or the lack thereof)

    Control as a mediator of stress

     Activity: Giving your dog more control

     BREAK

     Lecture: Adding choice to daily life

    Improving coping mechanisms

    Enrichment

    Activity: Evaluating enrichment options

     END OF DAY

    DAY TWO:

     Lecture: Cooperation from the animal learner

                Training

                Petting

                Husbandry

                Walks

    “Room of one’s own”

     Activity: Choose what you want to

     BREAK

     Lecture: Why don’t we already give animals more choices?

                Human need for control

                Lack of understanding/cultural fog

                Delayed reinforcement (for human)

     Activity: Evaluate your own need for control

     LUNCH BREAK

     Lecture: Teaching animals to make better (by human standards) choices

                The matching law and why it matters

                Research on sub-optimal choice making

                Cognitive bias in non-human animals

     Activity: Matching law activity

    BREAK

    Lecture: Foundation skills for a choice-rich life

                Setting up the environment for success

     Activity: Foundation skill related activity

    Speaker Bios

    Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, CSAT, KPA CTP, VSPDT, CBATI, VSDTA Faculty, DWA Faculty

    Irith Bloom is the owner of The Sophisticated Dog, a pet training company based in Los Angeles. She has been training animals since the 1980s and has worked with everything from chickens and rabbits to dogs and horses—not to mention humans. A biologist by training, Irith is fascinated by the science of learning and presents at conferences and seminars worldwide. Her writing has been published both online and in print. She is on the board of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and Chair Emeritus of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT).

    In addition to her Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge & Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA) and Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA) certifications, Irith is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC); a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT); a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP); a Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer (VSPDT); a Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor (CBATI); and certified in TAGteach, a positive-reinforcement method for teaching humans. She is on the faculty at Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and Behavior as well as DogBiz’s Dog Walking Academy.

    Irith has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. Her company, The Sophisticated Dog, LLC, offers online virtual training to clients worldwide, as well as in-person training in a limited area of Los Angeles, California.  Irith volunteers with National English Shepherd Rescue; the Los Angeles County 2020 Healthy Pets Healthy Families Coalition (a One Health initiative aimed at improving the health and well-being of people and their pets throughout Los Angeles County); and Wallis Annenberg PetSpace

    Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB

    Dr. Kristina Spaulding owns Smart Dog Training and Behavior LLC. She has a PhD in biopsychology – the study of the biological basis of behavior – and is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist through the Animal Behavior Society.  Kristina has been in the dog training and behavior profession for 20 years.

     In addition to working with behavior clients, Dr. Spaulding teaches a variety of online courses and webinars on the science of behavior.  She conducts staff training on dog behavior for local veterinary clinics and animal shelters, and regularly presents on the science of animal behavior at training and behavior conferences.

    In addition, Dr. Spaulding is a member of the APDT Education Committee.  As a member of this group, she helps the APDT develop and evaluate their educational resources.  In 2019, Dr. Spaulding received the Association of Professional Dog Trainer’s (APDT’s) Member of the Year Award.  She is also a member of the Fear Free Advisory Group and an authorized Speaker for Fear Free which advocates for minimizing fear, anxiety and stress for pets around the country.  She chairs the Quality of Care task force for Meeting of the Minds, a coalition of top dog professionals across the country charged with improving quality of life for our dogs.

     Before opening Smart Dog, Dr. Spaulding earned her B.S. in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. In college, she volunteered for a year at the local humane society. She was then hired by the same shelter. During her time at the animal shelter, she and a coworker established a training program for shelter dogs and their volunteer walkers to make the dogs more adoptable. She also served as an assistant trainer at Dog’s Best Friend, which was owned at that time by Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Dr. Patricia McConnell. In 2000, Dr. Spaulding moved to Minnesota where she worked as a dog trainer at a local dog training school before moving to her permanent home in upstate New York.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://thelooseleashacademy.com/seminars-list/power-of-choice

  • Webinar – 3/11/21 – Room for One More: Introducing a New Dog or Cat to the Household – Dr. Christopher Pachel – Dog iBox

    Webinar – 3/11/21 – Room for One More: Introducing a New Dog or Cat to the Household – Dr. Christopher Pachel – Dog iBox

    Introducing new pets to an existing pet household can be a daunting or intimidating task for dog and cat owners, and problems associated with these introductions are easier to avoid than they are to solve once they’ve occurred. Knowing how to guide your clients through this process will decrease the risk of conflicts and increase the integration success rate for your patients. This presentation will cover strategies and concepts critical to navigating this process successfully.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.dog-ibox.com/market/catalog/live-webinars/live-webinars-english-c-34/room-for-one-more-introducing-a-new-dog-or-cat-to-the-household.html

  • Webinar – 4/29/21 – Your End of the Leash Part Two: Breathe! It’s good for you (and your dog!) – Suzanne Clothier (fee applies)

    Webinar – 4/29/21 – Your End of the Leash Part Two: Breathe! It’s good for you (and your dog!) – Suzanne Clothier (fee applies)

    This webinar is the second in the Your End of the Leash series, which focuses on helping handlers become the best possible partners for their dogs.

    No matter how smart your dog may be, no matter how much he knows or can do, he still depends on you as his partner.

    Would you want a partner who was tense with gritted teeth and tight breathing? Or would you prefer a relaxed partner, whose movements and expression showed enjoyment in working with you?

    This webinar focuses on the simple but oh-so complicated basic of life itself: breathing. We’ll cover:

    • Breathe! Why in and out is the best choice
    • Breathing as communication – what you tell your dog (maybe without meaning to)
    • Effects of breathing on learning & performance
    • Observing breathing patterns in yourself and others
    • Coaching others

    You’ll learn practical techniques to help yourself (and your students) create greater awareness about breathing, along with ways to practice here, there and everywhere.

    Bonus: what you learn in your quest to become your dog’s best partner turns out to be helpful in the rest of your life! Breathing awareness can help you relax, reduce tension and stress, and understand how your breathing can affect others.

    JOIN US!

    ALL WEBINARS ARE RECORDED. A link will be sent to you 48 hours after the completion of the webinar for you to access the recording and watch at your convenience.

    If you need CEUs for IAABC or PPAB, instructions on how to get those CEUs will be made available during the webinar. CEUs for IAABC and PPAB are pending.

    If this is your first time using GoToWebinar do not forget to test your connection. GoToWebinar offers a test webinar so you can trouble shoot ahead of time. You can find some tips and tricks at the link below provided by GoToWebinar: https://support.goto.com/webinar?c_prod=g2w&c_name=plogin

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1095548300685667597

  • Webinar – 4/15/21 – Permission, Not Permissive – Suzanne Clothier (fee applies)

    Webinar – 4/15/21 – Permission, Not Permissive – Suzanne Clothier (fee applies)

    Have you ever wondered how to be positive in your training and relationship with dogs, and yet not end up just being run over or dragged here & there?

    It can be really challenging to find the balance between positive and pushover. It all comes down to understanding the different between permission and being permissive.

    This webinar tackles the confusion, and gives you some practical solutions that are simple and effective. Dogs appreciate the clarification! And you’ll learn how to be fair and consistent without having to harden your heart, deprive or ignore your dog.

    We’ll cover:

    • Explicit, implicit or complicit?
    • What does your dog believe?
    • Setting boundaries & non-negotiables
    • Compromise & criteria
    • Now/not now exercises

    It can be so disheartening to hear a trainer tell you, “Oh you’re just too soft on that dog” or “Just make him do it” or “Never say NO!” Confusing, isn’t it? It doesn’t have to be. Empathy, compassion, clarity and compromise should not be dirty words in dog training.

    This webinar is going to give you the tools to find the right balance for you and your dog while strengthening the relationship. Join us – your dog will thank you!

    ALL WEBINARS ARE RECORDED. A link will be sent to you 48 hours after the completion of the webinar for you to access the recording and watch at your convenience.

    If you need CEUs for IAABC or PPAB, instructions on how to get those CEUs will be made available during the webinar. CEUs for IAABC and PPAB are pending.

    If this is your first time using GoToWebinar do not forget to test your connection. GoToWebinar offers a test webinar so you can trouble shoot ahead of time. You can find some tips and tricks at the link below provided by GoToWebinar: https://support.goto.com/webinar?c_prod=g2w&c_name=plogin

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/207913663093666061

  • Online Conference – 3/8/21 to 3/9/21 – 2021 Great Lakes Animal Welfare Conference – Michigan Humane (fee applies)

    Online Conference – 3/8/21 to 3/9/21 – 2021 Great Lakes Animal Welfare Conference – Michigan Humane (fee applies)

    The 2021 Great Lakes Animal Welfare Conference (GLAWC) is moving online March 8-9 to keep everyone safe. Just because you can’t gather with all of your animal welfare industry peers doesn’t mean the sharing of knowledge stops. GLAWC 2021 will feature two days full of virtual sessions hosted by the brightest minds in our industry.

    We’re proud to announce Humane Rescue Alliance president and CEO Lisa LaFontaine as our keynote speaker! As the keynote speaker at GLAWC, Lisa will be speaking about how COVID-19 has changed animal welfare organizations’ relationship with our communities. From her unique perspective as the President and CEO of the first regional, community-based, multi-state animal welfare organization in the nation, Lisa will discuss how COVID-19 took us from daily operations to helping fill the gap in services left by the necessary restrictions established in the early days of the pandemic.

    Animal welfare organizations have gone through a lot this year.  Lisa will kick off our conference by helping us reflect on lessons learned and how we should be forging ahead.

    What’s to Expect at GLAWC 2021

    Our excellent keynote will kick off two days of dynamic, educational programming full of “news you can use” – information you can put to use in your own organization right away! We’re bringing back our “Ask the Experts” sessions, where you can ask national leaders in behavior, like Pam Hill, and shelter medicine, like Dr. Jeanette O’Quin, YOUR questions.

    Steve Kaufman, CAWA, from PetSmart Charities will talk about the past, present, and future of adoptions, and we’ll have breakout sessions on setting cat adopters up for success and about barriers to adoption. Hilary Hager, a Senior Director from HSUS, will give an interactive two-part session on resilience/compassion fatigue, which is critically important during these challenging times, and she will also talk about making the most of your volunteer power.

    As a special feature, Michigan Humane’s behaviorist, Katelin Thomas, will provide a three-part session on dog behavior, covering common behavior problems from causes to treatment and also addressing how to assess dogs with behavior issues for adoption.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.michiganhumane.org/event/virtual-great-lakes-animal-welfare-conference/

  • Online Conference – 3/27/21, 4/10/21, and 4/24/21 – NKCKittenNurseryConference/2021 – National Kitten Coalition (small fee applies)

    Online Conference – 3/27/21, 4/10/21, and 4/24/21 – NKCKittenNurseryConference/2021 – National Kitten Coalition (small fee applies)

    NKCKittenNurseryConference/2021 will take place online on three Saturdays this Spring. Each day will feature a different panel of kitten nursery experts.

    • Want to start or improve a kitten nursery at your shelter or rescue?
    • Need to know the latest information about what works for neonatal kittens?
    • Volunteer at a shelter or rescue and want to get a kitten nursery up and running?
    • Want to know how to handle kitten-related “curve balls”?

    Then this National Kitten Coalition Conference is for you!

    * Register by March 15 using the code “EBNursery” to receive the Early Bird price of $10 per person per day!

    Session 1: March 27, 4:00–6:00 pm EDT
    Starting or Running a Neonatal Kitten Nursery With No Shelter/Rescue Facility. Our speakers do just this, in different ways:

    • Simone Kelham, Founder, Newborn Kitten Rescue
    • Susan Spaulding, National Kitten Coalition Co-Founder and Director of Neonatal Programs; Vice President and Senior Neonatal Foster, NC Paws Rescue
    • Marnie Russ, National Kitten College Program Administrator, Animal Welfare League of Arlington

     

    Session 2: April 10, 4:00-6:00 pm EDT
    Starting and Running a Kitten Nursery With Scarce or Challenging Resources. How do you start or run a kitten nursery when you have nothing? These experts will provide the answers for you:

    • Maggie Lynch, Development Director, Austin Pets Alive!
    • Nicole Wisneskie, Nursery Lead, Best Friends Animal Society-Los Angeles

     

    Session 3: April 24, 11:00 am-1:00 pm EDT
    Dealing with Curve Balls. Nurseries get hit with curve balls all the time and you need to be ready to turn on a dime when one does. Walking us through turning the curve balls into home runs will be:

    • Samantha Friedman, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center
    • Karina Josenhans, Manager, Animal Logistics and Dr. Allison Bliss, Veterinary Staff and Programs Manager, both with ASPCA® Kitten Nursery
    • Jackie Noble, Nursery and Foster Manager, San Diego Humane Society

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://kittencoalition.org/programs/7657-2/

  • Webinar – 5/6/21 – Stewardship: Breaking Free from the Ask-And-Repeat Model – The AAWA

    Webinar – 5/6/21 – Stewardship: Breaking Free from the Ask-And-Repeat Model – The AAWA

    Donors have poured their hearts into your missions to help improve the lives of animals—fundraisers can’t take that for granted. How can we better show appreciation to our supporters in a way that’s manageable and still brings in the revenue we need for programs? Learn how to break free from the ask-and-repeat model by:

    • – Building a stronger connection with supporters
    • – Using new tools and technology
    • – Targeting high-value donors through modeling

    Presenters:

    • David Miller, Senior Vice President, RKD Group
    • Robin Rowland, Vice President, Donor Relations & Communications, Wayside Waifs
    • Sarah Dale, Humane Society of Tampa Bay

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://learning.theaawa.org/p/rkd1

  • Webinar – 5/13/21 – Digital Revenue: Small Changes Can Make A Big Impact – The AAWA

    Webinar – 5/13/21 – Digital Revenue: Small Changes Can Make A Big Impact – The AAWA

    COVID-19 has made digital communication a necessity, not a trend, in 2021. And while not everyone can afford a super-sophisticated digital program, there are plenty of small tweaks organizations can make to improve the performance of what you’re doing now. In this RKD-sponsored webinar, we will show you how to improve your digital results through:

    • – Optimizing your website for SEO
    • – Asking donors to “cover the fee” on donation forms
    • – Improving Google Ad Grant performance
    • – Using lightboxes (pop-ups) on your home page

    Speakers:

    • Jenn Thompson, Vice President, Digital, RKD Group
    • Gina Fromme, Chief Development Officer, Humane Society of Missouri
    • Alicia Vial, Communications Director, Louisiana SPCA

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://learning.theaawa.org/p/rkd2

  • Webinar – 5/19/21 – Virtual Events: Lessons Learned in a Year of Chaos – The AAWA

    Webinar – 5/19/21 – Virtual Events: Lessons Learned in a Year of Chaos – The AAWA

    When events were canceled last spring, many animal welfare organizations were thrust into the unknown world of virtual events. Through it all, we learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t. A year later, it’s clear that virtual events are here to stay. We’ll discuss the fundamentals of hosting a successful virtual event in 2021, including:

    • – Creating a fun, engaging experience
    • – Activating volunteers and donors
    • – Running an organized, well-planned show
    • – Using data to track and measure

    Speakers:

    • – Karla Baldelli, Vice President, Donor Engagement, RKD Group
    • – KC Routos, Event Manager, Animal Rescue League of Iowa
      – Debbie MacDonald, Development Director at City Rescue Mission

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://learning.theaawa.org/p/rkd3

  • Webinar – 3/11/21 – Recruit, Re-engage, Renew: How to place more pets into foster homes right now! – Maddie’s Fund

    Webinar – 3/11/21 – Recruit, Re-engage, Renew: How to place more pets into foster homes right now! – Maddie’s Fund

    In this one-hour webcast, you’ll learn how to create a culture of fostering in your community and discover several strategies for placing more pets in foster (hint: recruitment is just one of them!). You’ll learn what the latest market research says about messaging and techniques that can turn potential fosters into applicants, how short-term foster programs can help you find the fosters and adopters you need, and how organizations with the most robust foster programs are building their foster base.

    Maddie’s Fund is an approved provider of content which enhances professional competence and aligns with the 5 domains of the CAWA Exam specifications. Every hour of training equals 1 CE towards CAWA Recertification.

    Presenter
    Kelly Duer, Foster Care Specialist, Maddie’s Fund

    As Foster Care Specialist for Maddie’s Fund, Kelly’s focus is on helping shelters and rescue organizations increase lifesaving through the implementation of robust foster care programs. Her role includes creating and providing training for organizations and their foster coordinators, writing, assisting with research on foster care and consulting with shelters. Her work with foster care and marketing has been featured in many national publications, websites and networks, including Animal Sheltering magazine, the Huffington Post, Best Friends magazine, BarkPost, Catster Magazine, iheartdogs.com and HuffPost Live.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/recruit-reengage-renew-how-to-place-more-pets-into-foster-homes-right-now