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DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251010T235959
DTSTAMP:20251104T024104Z
CREATED:20251027T232148Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T024104Z
UID:1879-1759708800-1760140799@kynology.org
SUMMARY:Specialized Seminar: Next Level Detection (ATK9 2025)
DESCRIPTION:ATK9 2025 “Next Level Detection” attendees: In order to access the Next Level Detection Summary\, we are requesting that you retroactively register for the event (we know\, we know … it’s already happened) so that you can view materials we are limiting to ATK9 Next Level Detection attendees.  \n\n\n\nYou will first need to create an account on our website (follow the “Log in here” link > “Log in with user and password”  >  “Register” in teeny tiny text below the login box. You should be able to create a password to log in right then and there\, otherwise\, login information will be emailed to you).  \n\n\n\nOnce you are logged in\, you will be able to retroactively RSVP for the event that you’ve already attended (probably there is a more straightforward way to do this\, but we’re dog trainers\, not web designers). Once you have registered\, you will automatically be granted a community membership\, which will enable you to view members only resources\, including the detection summary page https://kynology.org/detection-seminar-resources/ \n\n\n\nNote that you MUST be logged-in to view! Those who have already created an account (prior to Nov 1) may need to email us to retroactively grant you a community membership.
URL:https://kynology.org/event/specialized-seminar-next-level-detection-atk9-2025/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://kynology.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/rsw_800cg_true.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20251211T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20251214T235959
DTSTAMP:20251213T163812Z
CREATED:20250819T064702Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251213T163812Z
UID:674-1765411200-1765756799@kynology.org
SUMMARY:Seminar: Pavlov and Pause Tables
DESCRIPTION:Agility Challenge Acres (Troy\, OH)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEssentials of Modern Dog Training — General Training with Special Emphasis on Agility\n\n\n\nInstructors: Forrest Micke and Dr. Stewart Hilliard\, with Daisy Peel\n\n\n\nJoin us for four days of in-depth discussion\, scientific analysis\, and hands-on training with Forrest Micke and Stewart Hilliard. This event will focus on the essentials of modern dog training\, including the application of functionally-defined aversive control\, and is appropriate for trainers working in a broad variety of disciplines\, including companion dogs\, working dogs\, and obedience training. Forrest and Stewart will be joined by internationally-famed agility competitor Daisy Peel to bring new innovations to the special technical challenges of training for high-level agility competition. Working\, audit\, and livestream options are available. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProgram Overview:\n\n\n\nThis seminar will be approximately 40% lecture and theory\, and 60% demonstrations and hands-on training with selected participants’ dogs.  \n\n\n\nDr. Hilliard’s lectures will provide insights into the following topics: \n\n\n\n\nPavlovian Conditioning: The mechanisms of stimulus — stimulus learning and their relevance to dog training\, including inhibitory conditioning\, counterconditioning\, and the technical problem of extinction.\n\n\n\nInstrumental Conditioning: Essentials of response — consequence learning and practical applications.\n\n\n\nThe Contingency Square: A deeper understanding of the distinction between the valence (feels good or feels bad) of the stimuli we employ to train the dog\, versus the valence of the consequence the dog actually experiences\n\n\n\nPavlovian – Instrumental interactions: How Pavlovian-Instrumental interactions determine the effectiveness of training techniques\, and procedures used to “insulate” the target instrumental response from interference by embedded Pavlovian contingencies\n\n\n\nAversive Control: Distinguishing between aversive stimuli (those that are unpleasant for the dog to experience) and functionally-defined aversive control (defined by the effect on behavior)\, and understanding why the distinction is important for dog welfare.\n\n\n\nNegative Reinforcement and Positive Punishment: Mechanisms of negative reinforcement and positive punishment\, including the critical distinction between escape and avoidance\, and the importance of safety cues \n\n\n\nSignaling: The roles of secondary reinforcers and secondary punishers in dog training.\n\n\n\nDog Welfare: The truth about learned helplessness\, the nature of stress\, and why dog welfare should not be defined in terms of the presence or absence of stress\, but instead in terms of the dog’s ability to predict and control stress\n\n\n\nTraining Methodology: The Agency- Accountability Approach to dog training and how it provides for training techniques that are kind and fair to dogs\, ethically-defensible\, and consistent with scientific data on animal learning and animal welfare– while also providing real-world results for dog trainers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpecial events\n\n\n\nFor those of you who are specially interested in agility\, Daisy will be hosting two agility course run-throughs at Agility Challenge Acres during this event. These run-throughs are open to the public and will take place during the evenings on Wednesday\, Dec 10 (open to everyone) and Friday\, Dec 12 (for seminar attendees and special invitation). Seminar attendees are invited to watch or participate in both run-throughs (participation is included with seminar registration at no extra cost) \n\n\n\nStewart and Forrest will be attending these run-throughs to brainstorm with Daisy technical solutions for agility\, which will be discussed at the seminar. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegistration options\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSeminar Participant (On-Site) – $400\n\n\n\nFully immerse yourself in formal lectures on advanced topics\, lively discussions\, and hands-on demonstrations with or without your dog. Unlike typical seminars that prioritize individualized attention addressing the particular needs of each dog-and-handler in turn (with little participation from other handlers and “auditors” paying a nominal fee to passively listen in)\, the hands-on portion of this seminar will be inclusive of the entire group\, permitting everyone to ask questions\, fully participate in discussions\, and learn by observing a multitude of dogs working through different challenges and at different levels. The goal is to leave you with an actionable game plan and a framework from which to build\, rather than an assortment of one-off fixes. (Bored scrolling awaiting “your turn” NOT a thing!) \n\n\n\nLive demonstrations and training sessions will be curated to show the practical application of principles introduced in the lectures\, highlighting training progressions as response requirement criteria are advanced (aka\, how to up the ante without busting the game). As such\, a limited number of “demo-dogs” (along with their handlers) will be accepted to participate in live training sessions based on how tractable they are for illustrating the application of concepts described in the program overview. Those who opt not (or are not selected) to bring a dog get the full benefit of hands-on demonstration without the responsibility of having a dog in tow. \n\n\n\nDemo-Dog / Handling Spot UPGRADE (+$200) – Limited to 8 (Requires Application)\n\n\n\nThose who would like to apply to participate with their dogs in the hands-on portion must first purchase a ticket to reserve their spot as a seminar participant and get into the queue to upgrade to a handler spot. After purchasing your seminar ticket\, submit multiple 1 – 2 minute video clips (rather than one very long video) of a training session showcasing your dog working in a busy\, unfamiliar environment. Video clips should show your dog interacting with multiple rewards\, including food\, different types of toys\, and bites on equipment (if appropriate for your discipline). The objective here is to make sure that the dog can function well in a seminar context and will promote learning for all seminar participants\, including your dog. (Not saying your pokey puppy that couldn’t give a hoot about treats or toys couldn’t be motivated\, or your radioactive rocket readjusted\, but is outside of the scope of this event). Note that we will ask those who are selected sign a waiver form to be filmed for live demonstrations. \n\n\n\nSubmit your videos via WhatsApp to Stewart at 210-382-4872 (preferably attached as a document for higher quality) or share via e-mail (or a google drive upload) to events@kynology.org. Your dog MUST show interactions with reinforcers\, as described above. \n\n\n\nIf your video is approved you will then receive an email directing you to Kynology.org where you will be able to lock in your handler by making an additional payment to purchase a Demo-Dog UPGRADE. Those who are not selected will still be able to fully participate in the seminar\, with no additional purchase required. Note that purchase of the handler applicant ticket commits you to attend the seminar\, and that no refund will be given if your dog is not selected as a demo dog. \n\n\n\n\n\nVirtual Participant (Livestream) – $250\n\n\n\nCan’t make it in person? Join us from anywhere! (Lectures and Discussions will be live-streamed). Note that while we are unable to address virtually-submitted questions in realtime\, livestream attendees will have the option to submit written questions and comments during the seminar. These questions and comments will be reviewed by the instructors during breaks and will likely influence subsequent discussions. General questions will be broadly addressed during the course of the lectures\, and a select number of interesting questions may be answered in an FAQ section available to registrants after the seminar.  \n\n\n\n\n\nAccess to Recordings\n\n\n\nTime zone\, Job Responsibilities or Prior Commitments getting in your way? Due to popular request\, we will be granting attendees access to recordings for a window of time after the event (one month\, possibly longer) to catch up on anything missed due to dogs\, jobs and that pesky need to sleep. We intend for this to be a LIVE event that encourages (and is influenced by!) remote participation (rather than paid access to videos on-demand)\, but also don’t want to exclude those of you who can join us for much but not all of the seminar. \n\n\n\n\n\nNEW — Hybrid & 2-Day Options\n\n\n\nWe have added two additional options to allow partial on-site participation (weekend or otherwise)\, with or without access to Livestream and recordings. Note that we added this to accommodate those who are unable to participate all four days\, but it is highly recommend that you register as a full seminar participant (and attend all four days in-person) to experience the full picture and get the most out of this seminar. \n\n\n\nHybrid Option (2 days on-site + 2 days livestream) – $325\n\n\n\nFor those who cannot make it on-site all four days. Includes Livestream and temporary access to recordings. \n\n\n\nWeekend Warrior (2 days on-site) – $225\n\n\n\nOn-site only. Does NOT include Livestream or access to recordings. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor questions or issues registering\, please contact events@kynology.org or check out our handy-dandy FAQ troubleshooting page https://kynology.org/faqs/ \n\n\n\n*** Note that this is our first time handling ticket sales internally\, and we still seem to be experiencing intermittent glitchiness. If you encounter a “sold out” or any other issue blocking you from purchase\, please contact us at events@kynology.org (or check out Ticket Purchase FAQs) and we’ll get you sorted ***
URL:https://kynology.org/event/essentials-2025dec11-14/
LOCATION:Agility Challenge Acres\, 5467 East State Route 41\, Troy\, OH\, 45373\, United States
CATEGORIES:Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://kynology.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Herder_BC_Front.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260122T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260125T235959
DTSTAMP:20260115T220113Z
CREATED:20250819T065730Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260115T220113Z
UID:682-1769040000-1769385599@kynology.org
SUMMARY:Seminar: Science and Swear Words in Los Angeles
DESCRIPTION:Seminar: Science and Swear Words in Los Angeles\n\n\n\nInstructors: Darshan Herran and Dr. Stewart Hilliard\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEssentials of Modern Dog Training — General Training Emphasis\n\n\n\nJoin us for four days of in-depth conversation\, scientific analysis\, and hands-on training with SoCal’s Darshan Herran and Dr. Stewart Hilliard. In addition to being an industry-leading expert on progressive dog training and behavior modification\, and a very successful competitor in French Ring Sport who has trained dogs since he was knee-high to a grasshopper\, Darshan is a very nice man whom you could definitely take home to meet your mother. Stewart\, however\, will cuss enough for the both of them. This event will focus on core aspects of modern dog training\, including the application of functionally-defined aversive control. The curriculum will be appropriate for trainers working in a broad variety of disciplines\, including companion dogs\, working dogs\, and obedience dogs. Note that CANIS is offering a discount for early registration \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProgram Overview:\n\n\n\nThis seminar will be approximately 40% lecture and theory\, and 60% demonstrations and hands-on training with participants’ dogs. Dr. Hilliard’s lectures will provide insights into the following topics: \n\n\n\n\nPavlovian Conditioning: The mechanisms of stimulus — stimulus learning and their relevance to dog training\, including inhibitory conditioning\, counterconditioning\, and the technical problem of extinction.\n\n\n\nInstrumental Conditioning: Essentials of response — consequence learning and practical applications.\n\n\n\nThe Contingency Square: A deeper understanding of the distinction between the valence (feels good or feels bad) of the stimuli we employ to train the dog versus the valence of the consequence the dog actually experiences\n\n\n\nPavlovian – Instrumental interactions: How Pavlovian-Instrumental interactions determine the effectiveness of training techniques\, and procedures used to “insulate” the target instrumental response from interference by embedded Pavlovian contingencies\n\n\n\nAversive Control: Distinguishing between aversive stimuli (those that are unpleasant for the dog to experience) and functionally-defined aversive control (defined by the effect on behavior)\, and understanding why the distinction is important for dog welfare.\n\n\n\nNegative Reinforcement and Positive Punishment: Mechanisms of negative reinforcement and positive punishment\, including the critical distinction between escape and avoidance\, and the importance of safety cues \n\n\n\nSignaling: The roles of secondary reinforcers and secondary punishers in dog training.\n\n\n\nDog Welfare: The truth about learned helplessness\, the nature of stress\, and why dog welfare should not be defined in terms of the presence or absence of stress\, but instead in terms of the dog’s ability to predict and control stress\n\n\n\nTraining Methodology: The Agency- Accountability Approach to dog training and how it provides for training techniques that are kind and fair to dogs\, ethically-defensible\, and consistent with scientific data on animal learning and animal welfare– while also providing real-world results for dog trainers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegistration options\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGeneral Admission ($700) Early Bird Special – $550 before 15 Dec 2024\n\n\n\nGet the full benefit of hands-on demonstrations without the responsibility of bringing a dog. Opting for an auditor spot allows you to fully immerse yourself in the lectures and discussions\, and allows uninterrupted observation of multiple dog/handler teams as they work through challenges\, so that you can gain actionable insights to apply to your own training later. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nPurchase Tickets\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWorking Spot Upgrade (Approved Dogs Only) – Requires Application + $300 Upgrade from General Admission Ticket\n\n\n\nTo apply for a handler-dog team spot\, please submit multiple 1 – 2 minute video clips (rather than one very long video) of a training session showcasing your dog working in a busy\, unfamiliar environment. Video clips should show your dog interacting with multiple types of rewards\, including food rewards and different types of toys. The objective here is to make sure that the dog can function in a seminar context and that in-seminar work with the dog will promote learning for all seminar participants\, including your dog. \n\n\n\nSubmit your videos via WhatsApp to Stewart at 210-382-4872 (preferably attached as a document for higher quality) or share via e-mail (or a google drive upload) to events@kynology.org \n\n\n\nPurchase Tickets
URL:https://kynology.org/event/science-and-swear-words-jan-2026/
LOCATION:Canis Behavior & Training\, 18603 Topham St\, Tarzana\, CA\, 91335\, United States
CATEGORIES:Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://kynology.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Herder_Bouvier_Bark.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Stewart Hilliard & Darshan Herran":MAILTO:events@kynology.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260205T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260208T235959
DTSTAMP:20260219T145514Z
CREATED:20251008T213942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T145514Z
UID:961-1770249600-1770595199@kynology.org
SUMMARY:Seminar: Muzzle Fighting and Other Errors in Judgment
DESCRIPTION:Essentials of Modern Dog Training — Working Dog Emphasis\n\n\n\nSeminar Instructors: Jerry Bradshaw and Dr. Stewart Hilliard (Sanford\, NC)\n\n\n\nA much-anticipated collaboration between two old friends and mutual admirers: Join us for three days of in-depth conversation\, scientific analysis\, and hands-on training with Jerry Bradshaw of Protection Sports Association and law enforcement K9 fame\, and Dr. Stewart Hilliard. Jerry and Stewart will teach the core principles of modern working dog training\, including the application of functionally-defined aversive control. The curriculum will be most appropriate for trainers and handlers of sport and military/law enforcement working dogs\, and will focus on obedience and bitework. Substance detection and tracking training will be addressed in other Kynology events. Because Jerry and Stewart are both too old for this shit\, young virile dudes will be summoned to take all the bites\, muzzle punches to the face\, confusing directions\, and verbal abuse.  \n\n\n\n— Livestream Option Now Available\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSchedule & LocationProgram OverviewSeminar Resources\n\nHello all you lovely dog people! Here are your much anticipated and long overdo logistical details. \n\n\n\nEvent Kickoff (Thursday Evening) \n\n\n\n\n\n\nDoors at 4:30\n\n\n\nMixer with light refreshments kicks off at 5 pm\n\n\n\nLecture from 6 pm – 8 pm-ish\n\n\n\nDiscussions\, Q&A and Socializing until 9 pm\n\n\n\n\nDennis A. Wicker Civic Center1801 Nash St\, Sanford\, NC 27330 \n\n\n\nThis is also the location for morning lectures each day thereafter \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLivestreamers included! We’ll send you guys a follow up email tomorrow (if not Thursday) with a link and instructions for accessing the Livestream. Virtual doors will “open” by 5 pm for sound check and to give you guys time to ensure you can access before the lecture starts at 6 pm. \n\n\n\nFull Day Schedule (Friday – Sunday):\n\n\n\nLectures start at 9 am (plus a few minutes for people to arrive) each morning in the same room as the kickoff event (Civic Center\, 1801 Nash St\, Sanford\, NC 27330). \n\n\n\nAfternoon sessions (time and location) will be announced each day dependent on weather and when we break for lunch. BRING LAWN CHAIRS (or stand\, or make a friend with a spare) \n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProgram Overview:\n\n\n\nThis seminar will be approximately 40% lecture and theory\, and 60% hands-on demonstrations and training with selected dog-handler teams. Note that there are two separate locations for lecture vs practical work (tbd)\, and that 5 Feb is an evening session\, lecture only (7 PM to 9 PM). 6\, 7\, 8 Feb are full days. Dr. Hilliard’s lectures will provide insights into the following topics\, among others: \n\n\n\n\nEthology: Why working dog trainers are practical ethologists\, the critical distinction between predatory behavior and aggression\, and what is the deal with “fighting drive\,” anyway?  \n\n\n\nPavlovian Conditioning: The mechanisms of stimulus — stimulus learning and their relevance to dog training\, including inhibitory conditioning\, counterconditioning\, and the technical problem of extinction.\n\n\n\nInstrumental Conditioning: Essentials of response — consequence learning and practical applications.\n\n\n\nThe Contingency Square: A deeper understanding of the distinction between the valence (feels good or feels bad) of the stimuli we employ to train the dog versus the valence of the consequence the dog actually experiences\n\n\n\nPavlovian – Instrumental interactions and Misbehavior: How Pavlovian-Instrumental interactions determine the effectiveness of training techniques\, and procedures used to “insulate” the target instrumental response from interference by embedded Pavlovian contingencies\n\n\n\nAversive Control: Distinguishing between aversive stimuli (those that are unpleasant for the dog to experience) and functionally-defined aversive control (defined by the effect on behavior)\, and understanding why the distinction is important for dog welfare.\n\n\n\nNegative Reinforcement and Positive Punishment: Mechanisms of negative reinforcement and positive punishment\, including the critical distinction between escape and avoidance\, and the importance of safety cues \n\n\n\nSignaling: The roles of secondary reinforcers and secondary punishers in dog training.\n\n\n\nDog Welfare: The truth about learned helplessness\, the nature of stress\, and why dog welfare should not be defined in terms of the presence or absence of stress\, but instead in terms of the dog’s ability to predict and control stress\n\n\n\nTraining Methodology: The Agency- Accountability Approach to dog training and how it provides for training techniques that are kind and fair to dogs\, ethically-defensible\, and consistent with scientific data on animal learning and animal welfare– while also providing real-world results for dog trainers\n\n\n\nTerminology: How a %$#@-load of cussing makes you a better dog trainer.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor those of you who fear you may be overwhelmed by the material\, we are providing you access to full length lectures on the essentials of pavlovian and instrumental learning to review before or during the event: https://kynology.org/student-portal/muzzle-fighting-seminar-resources/ (this is also where we will post recordings to the lectures after the event). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegistration options\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSeminar Participant (On-Site\, $550) Discounted to $450 before 5 Jan 2025\n\n\n\nFully immerse yourself in lectures\, discussions and live-demos\, with or without a dog. Unlike traditional seminars\, which prioritizes individualized attention to each dog-handler teams with little participation from other handlers and auditors who pay a nominal fee to passively listen in\, the hands-on demonstrations and training sessions with selected participants dogs will be inclusive of the entire group\, permitting everyone to ask questions and fully participate in the discussions\, learning the practical application of topics presented in the lectures by watching a multitude of dogs and scenarios. \n\n\n\n\nAuditor\nGet the full benefit of hands-on demonstrations without the responsibility of bringing a dog. Opting to audit allows uninterrupted observation of multiple dog/handler teams as they work through challenges\, so that you can gain actionable insights to apply to your own training later. \n\n\n\n\nDemo-Dog Handler Applicant  (Must additionally purchase a $150 Upgrade if Selected) – Limited to 10\nThose who would like to participate with their dog in the hands-on demonstrations must first purchase a ticket as a Demo-Dog Handler Applicant to reserve your spot as a seminar participant and get into the queue for handling spots. After purchase\, submit multiple 1 – 2 minute video clips (rather than one very long video) of a training session showcasing your dog working in a busy\, unfamiliar environment. Video clips should show your dog interacting with multiple rewards\, including food\, different types of toys\, and bites on equipment (if appropriate for your discipline). The objective here is to make sure that the dog can function well in a seminar context and that in-seminar work will promote learning for all seminar participants\, including your dog. \n\n\n\nSubmit your videos via WhatsApp to Stewart at 210-382-4872 (preferably attached as a document for higher quality) or share via e-mail (or google drive upload) to events@kynology.org \n\n\n\nIf your video is approved you will then receive an email directing you to Kynology.org where you will be able to lock in your handler spot by making the additional payment to upgrade. Total for handler spots is $600 if initial purchase is made prior to 5 Jan 2025 (initially pay $450 to reserve your spot as a seminar participant\, submit video of your dog to apply for handling spot\, if video is approved then pay $150 to lock in handling spot) or $700 ($550 + $150) thereafter. \n\n\n\nFear not if you are not selected to bring your dog! You will still be able to fully participate as an auditor\, with no additional purchase required. Note that purchase of the handler applicant ticket commits you to attend the seminar (i.e.\, no refund will be given if your dog is not selected as a demo dog). Essentially\, Auditor and Handler Applicant tickets are both general admission tickets to the seminar (and are priced as such)\, but have been set as separate tickets so that we know to look out for your video application\, and so that those wishing to attend the seminar can see whether or not the limited number of demo dog handler spots are still available or “sold out” before purchasing. Seminar participants are still welcome to submit video to apply to be an alternative in the event the demo-dog spots are already filled. \n\n\n\n\nLivestream (Virtual Participation) – includes 2 WEEK access to Recordings!\nThis Kynology event is very close to being at capacity (2 seminar tickets remain\, both with the option of applying to bring a dog). In anticipation of this being a sold out event\, we are now offering a Virtual Option to accommodate those of you who fail to snag an on-site ticket\, as well as by request for those unable to make it in-person to North Carolina. (Note that if you really really want to come and find the in person tickets sold out\, email us at events@kynology.org pleading your case and we can ask the venue space if we are able to squeeze in another person). \n\n\n\nSo here’s the deal: This will be our first Kynology Livestream without a pro support crew (we are setting this up just for you guys!). We’ll record and livestream all of the lectures and discussion\, and as much of the practical work as Jerry’s Wi-Fi and logistics allow (so long as the handlers consent). There may be some hiccups with the live feed\, so we will grant virtual participants access to the recordings for TWO WEEKS after the event. So whether we experience technical glitches\, your internet goes out on you\, your dog glitches out and distracts you\, or you are simply unable to watch a scheduled session — you will be able to re-watch anything you missed (or simply want to watch the whole seminar again so that this heavy-duty information sticks). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor questions or issues registering please contact events@kynology.org \n\n\n\n\n\n\nLocal Hotels (Sanford\, NC)\n\n\n\n\nHoliday Inn Express\n\n\n\nHome2 Suites\n\n\n\nHampton Inn\n\n\n\nComfort Suites\n\n\n\n\nInterested in sharing an AirBnB? Registered Participants may Click Here to add yourself to a Whatsapp group to connect with others for this event.
URL:https://kynology.org/event/seminar-essentials-2026feb05-08/
LOCATION:Tarheel Canine Training\, Inc\, Sanford\, NC\, 27332\, United States
CATEGORIES:Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://kynology.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Gemini_Generated_Image_8rij088rij088rij.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260418T235959
DTSTAMP:20260516T173944Z
CREATED:20260210T190335Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260516T173944Z
UID:4951-1776124800-1776556799@kynology.org
SUMMARY:Kynology 4.0 Symposium
DESCRIPTION:Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers\, Santa Rosa\, CA\n\n\n\nGetting the %$#@’ing Band Back Together\n\n\n\nAll the science\, twice the caffeine\, probably at least one good party\, and more cussing than ever! Join the incomparable Michael Ellis\, the puckish and masterful Forrest Micke\, and the deeply irreverent Stewart Hilliard for five days of behavioral science\, the ethics and data underlying animal welfare\, and the history\, mechanics\, and future of dog training. We’ll play updated cuts of all our grooves\, and some new songs\, too\, and like Bob we may suddenly go electric and &%$# with your mind. If you were here for Kynology 1\, 2\, or 3\, you know what you are in for\, only more. If not\, then buckle up. \n\n\n\n\n\nProgram OverviewRegistration Options (& Demo Dog Application!)\n\nKynology 4.0\n\n\n\nFeaturing: Michael Ellis\, Forrest Micke\, and Darshan Herrán (Dog Demos) & Dr. Stewart Hilliard (Lectures & Discussion) \n\n\n\nThe symposium\, as the name implies\, will be discussion-heavy\, perhaps 50% (or more) lecture and theory and 50% practical exercises. Forrest will describe and show\, as only he can\, how science-based theory is put into practice. Michael will be super-smart\, eloquent\, and crystal-clear\, all at the same time– causing everything to make simple sense. Dr. Hilliard’s lectures will be comprehensive\, passionate\, at times comical or profane or both\, and feature detailed treatment of the following topics: \n\n\n\n\nAll the Lessons of Dog Spit\, and why Ivan (not Balabanov\, that other one) is out to get you\n\n\n\nConsequences\, Schmonsequences\, and what is the deal with people who say “Operant” versus everybody else?\n\n\n\nIvan Again\, that Asshole? The misbehavior of raccoons\, pigs\, dogs\, and college undergraduates.\n\n\n\nTaking the Piss out of BF Skinner — The risks of positive reinforcement\n\n\n\nThe Harshing of the Mellow — Aversiveness and positive punishment\n\n\n\nHow come Pat Nolan Wears Shoes? Escape and avoidance\n\n\n\nGood News — Signaling to your dog about positive reinforcement\, and the offsets of buzzkills\n\n\n\nBad News — Signaling to your dog about all that other shit \n\n\n\nHow We Confuse Dogs Without Really Trying — Stimulus control\, blocking\, overshadowing\, and other tools of the Devil\n\n\n\nControl is Freaky — Learned helplessness and how people who don’t know enough about it\, or about the way dogs are trained in the real world\, use it as a cudgel to try to beat the the rest of us senseless \n\n\n\nTraining Methodology — Seriously: The Agency- Accountability Approach to dog training and how it provides for training techniques that are kind and fair to dogs\, ethically-defensible\, and consistent with scientific data on animal learning and animal welfare — while also providing real-world results for dog trainers\n\n\n\nNOTE — If a bunch of this doesn’t make sense to you\, then it will when we’re done with you\, and you’ll be &%$#ing fascinated\n\n\n\n\nSchedule:\n\n\n\nAll events located at Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers  3641 Stony Point Rd\, Santa Rosa\, CA 95407 unless otherwise posted \n\n\n\n\nPre-Event Mixer — April 13 ( Monday )  6 PM to 8 PM (ish) — note that this time has been moved an hour earlier than originally posted\n\n\n\nSymposium — April 14 – 18 ( Tues – Sat ) 9:30 AM to 5 PM (ish)\n\n\n\nNote that in-person students are welcome to watch morning training from 8 am – 9:15 am (ish). As this is not officially part of the symposium\, morning training sessions will not be live-streamed.\n\n\n\nNew: We plan to have an outdoor Potlock/BBQ at a nearby location on Thursday from 6 – 9 pm (address to be announced at the event)\n\n\n\n\nRegistration Options – Click Tab above\n\n\n\nThis includes detailed information on registration options (in-person vs. livestream) and how to nominate your dog to participate in working sessions. \n\n\n\nReturning IN-PERSON attendees of another Kynology event receive a discount (check your email for discount code). \n\n\n\nDemo Dog Applicants\n\n\n\nPlease Submit videos of your dog ASAP to events@kynology.org (see instructions on Registration tab) \n\n\n\nPre-Event Resources (HOMEWORK)\n\n\n\nPlease check for an email from events@kynology.org containing the link to the Kynology 4 Student Portal\, where you will find Event Resources including Full length lectures to review prior to the event. \n\n\n\n\n\nKynology Symposium – $2\,000 (Limited to 40 slots)\n\n\n\nReturning IN-PERSON attendees of another Kynology event receive a discount (check your email for discount code). \n\n\n\nDemonstration dogs\n\n\n\nThis is not a working seminar meant to advance individual handler-dog teams. It is a Kynology Symposium meant to explore general dog training principles and themes….. and to analyze and demonstrate how they are translated into technique. That said we will definitely use live dogs to demonstrate practical work. The objective is to select approximately 5 demonstration dogs in the initial stages of training (but exhibiting good engagement with food and “toys\,” and confident behavior in new and busy environments) and 5 dogs well-advanced in their training for their chosen discipline. If participants are interested in employing their dogs as demo dogs (to be handled by themselves and/or by instructors)\, they should please submit one\, or at most two\, 3- or 4-min video clips of the dogs working. Videos should particularly feature the dogs engaging with food and “toys” in a novel\, busy environment. Instructors will evaluate the videos and select dogs based on their suitability to illustrate the principles of the course. Please host your videos on any platform you prefer (Youtube\, Vimeo\, etc.) and send link to doc@kynology.org \n\n\n\nVirtual Participation – $700\n\n\n\nThe event will be live-streamed. All attendees\, both live and virtual\, will have 6 MONTHS of access to recordings of the event. Virtual attendees will have the ability to submit comments and questions; while these inputs may not be reviewed by instructors in real time\, they will influence event contents and discussions. All activities taking place in the main training room at MES (lectures\, discussions\, and practical training) will be recorded and live-streamed. Early morning training sessions (which in-person students are welcome to observe but are not officially part of the event) will not. \n\n\n\nNote that the event begins on the evening of 13 April with a mixer\, and a lecture by Dr. Hilliard. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTicket Purchase\n\n\n\nYou must register for an account (or login) before purchasing a ticket. We do this so that you are able to access pre-event resources tied to your event ticket purchase 🙂 \n\n\n\nFor step-by-step instructions on how to do this\, check out our FAQ Page. If you’re still having issues\, feel free to email us at events@kynology.org. \n\n\n\n\nAccount Registration\n\n\nLog in
URL:https://kynology.org/event/kynology-4-symposium/
LOCATION:Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers\, 3641 Stony Point Road\, Santa Rosa\, CA\, 95407\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://kynology.org/wp-content/uploads/slider8/Herder_ACD.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260604T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260607T235959
DTSTAMP:20260514T165226Z
CREATED:20251008T221729Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260514T165226Z
UID:981-1780531200-1780876799@kynology.org
SUMMARY:Incense and Irreverence Seminar
DESCRIPTION:Opportunity Barks\, The Farm\, Philadelphia\, Pennsylvania\n\n\n\nEssentials of Modern Dog Training – General Training Emphasis\n\n\n\nThis event will be appropriate for trainers working in a broad variety of disciplines\, including companion dog\, working dog\, and obedience dog training. If you haven’t seen how Leigh hosts an event\, then prepare yourself for an exercise in masterful organization\, impeccable taste\, good humor\, and nostalgic music — not to mention fresh fruit and little &%$#ing chocolates and stuff she puts out to make you feel at home\, and all loved and shit. As jaded\, disorganized\, and irreverent as Forrest and Stewart can be\, they loved the first Kynology/Opportunity Barks event and can’t wait to go back. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProgram OverviewCourse SyllabusTravel & Logistics\n\nA Rare Gathering in Kynology\n\n\n\nHosted by Opportunity Barks | Featuring Stewart Hilliard & Forrest Micke\n\n\n\nMost seminars tell you what to do. This gathering teaches you how to look. \n\n\n\nBecause if you can’t see what’s in front of you\, it doesn’t matter how many techniques you’ve collected\, you’re still guessing. \n\n\n\nThis isn’t a mass-market\, sit-in-the-back-and-take-notes kind of thing. It’s small on purpose. A working room. Real dogs\, real people\, real-time decisions. The kind of place where things can get a little messy in the best possible way. \n\n\n\nOver four days\, we’re not trying to rush you through a checklist. We’re slowing things down enough that you can actually notice what’s happening\, and maybe catch a few things you’ve been missing. \n\n\n\nThe Room (and What We’re Actually Doing Here)\n\n\n\nKynology is the study of the dog as a whole system: science\, behavior\, instinct\, pressure\, communication\, relationship — all of it tangled together like it actually is in real life. \n\n\n\nNot neat. Not linear. Not polite. \n\n\n\nSo we keep the group small\, not to be fancy\, but so the work can breathe a little. So someone can ask a question and we don’t have to sprint past it. So a dog can do something unexpected and we can actually stay with it instead of pretending it didn’t happen. \n\n\n\nAnd just to be clear: the dogs aren’t props. They’re not demos. They’re the whole point. \n\n\n\nKynology provides the language for why this work matters. \n\n\n\n\n8 Working Spots: You and your dog\, in it for real.\n\n\n\nLimited In-Room Seats: Close enough to see everything\, whether you brought a dog or not.\n\n\n\nLivestream Auditing: For the behavior nerds watching from afar.\n\n\n\n\nWhy Four Days (Yes\, Four)\n\n\n\nBecause dogs don’t care about your seminar schedule. \n\n\n\nThey need time to settle. To show you who they actually are once the initial nonsense wears off. Patterns don’t show up on command\, and neither does understanding. \n\n\n\nSo instead of cramming information into a weekend and calling it a day\, we stretch it out. You’ll see something\, try something\, get it wrong\, adjust\, and then maybe\, maybe\, start to feel what you’re doing. \n\n\n\nThat’s the part that matters. \n\n\n\nWhat We’re Looking At\n\n\n\n\nHow instinct and drive actually show up\, not how we wish they would.\n\n\n\nWhat pressure is doing: when it helps\, when it confuses\, when it backfires.\n\n\n\nThat elusive thing people call “feel\,” which is really just paying attention at a higher resolution\n\n\n\n\nNo magic tricks. No scripts. Just better observation and better timing. \n\n\n\nThe Part People Don’t Plan For (But Remember the Most)\n\n\n\nSaturday night we’ll gather for dinner. Not as a formality\, but because once people stop “being in a seminar\,” the real conversations unfold. The off-script stuff. The stories. The questions you didn’t know how to ask at 2 pm. \n\n\n\nThat’s usually where things click. \n\n\n\nSchedule\n\n\n\nJune 4 – 7 (Thursday – Sunday): 9 am – 5 pm \n\n\n\n\nCoffee & Light Bites will be available each morning\n\n\n\nBYOL (Bring your own lunch)\n\n\n\nDinner on Saturday included\, for the conversations (and camaraderie) you didn’t know you needed.\n\n\n\n\nGetting Psyched? Click the COURSE SYLLABUS Tab (above) to get a taste of some of the topics we will cover during lectures\, discussion and live demonstrations. For more details on venue and location\, see the Travel & Logistics Tab \n\n\n\n\n\nJoin us for four days of in-depth conversation\, scientific analysis\, and practical work. The seminar will be split among lecture and theory\, demonstration and discussion\, and hands-on training with participants’ dogs. We will focus on core aspects of modern dog training\, including the application of functionally-defined aversive control. The ambience is intimate and the venue is small\, so slots are limited. Dr. Hilliard’s lectures will provide insights on topics such as: \n\n\n\n\nPavlovian Conditioning: The mechanisms of stimulus — stimulus learning and their relevance to dog training\, including inhibitory conditioning\, counterconditioning\, and the technical problem of extinction.\n\n\n\nInstrumental Conditioning: Essentials of response — consequence learning and practical applications.\n\n\n\nThe Contingency Square: A deeper understanding of the distinction between the valence (feels good or feels bad) of the stimuli we employ to train the dog versus the valence of the consequence the dog actually experiences\n\n\n\nPavlovian – Instrumental interactions: How Pavlovian-Instrumental interactions determine the effectiveness of training techniques\, and procedures used to “insulate” the target instrumental response from interference by embedded Pavlovian contingencies\n\n\n\nAversive Control: Distinguishing between aversive stimuli (those that are unpleasant for the dog to experience) and functionally-defined aversive control (defined by the effect on behavior)\, and understanding why the distinction is important for dog welfare.\n\n\n\nNegative Reinforcement and Positive Punishment: Mechanisms of negative reinforcement and positive punishment\, including the critical distinction between escape and avoidance\, and the importance of safety cues \n\n\n\nSignaling: The roles of secondary reinforcers and secondary punishers in dog training.\n\n\n\nDog Welfare: The truth about learned helplessness\, the nature of stress\, and why dog welfare should not be defined in terms of the presence or absence of stress\, but instead in terms of the dog’s ability to predict and control stress\n\n\n\nTraining Methodology: The Agency- Accountability Approach to dog training and how it provides for training techniques that are kind and fair to dogs\, ethically-defensible\, and consistent with scientific data on animal learning and animal welfare– while also providing real-world results for dog trainers\n\n\n\n\nGetting More Psyched? Click the TRAVEL & LOGISTICS tab (above) for venue details\, travel logistics\, accommodations\, etc. \n\n\n\n\n\nVenue Location\n\n\n\nOpportunity Barks is located in the Quakertown\, PA vicinity (event address provided after registration)  \n\n\n\nTravel\n\n\n\n\nPhiladelphia: ~1 hour\n\n\n\nAllentown: ~35 minutes\n\n\n\nPrinceton\, NJ: ~1 hour\n\n\n\nBrooklyn\, NY: ~2 hours\n\n\n\nWilmington\, DE: ~1 hr 15 min\n\n\n\nWashington\, DC: ~3 hr 10 min\n\n\n\n\nAirports\n\n\n\n\nAirports: Lehigh Valley (35 min)\n\n\n\nPhiladelphia International (55 min)\n\n\n\n\nWhere to Stay\n\n\n\nAnywhere around Sellersville\, Perkasie\, or Quakertown\, PA. \n\n\n\nHotels (about 15 min out):\n\n\n\n\nHoliday Inn Express & Suites — Quakertown\n\n\n\nQuality Inn & Suites — Quakertown-Allentown\n\n\n\nSpringHill Suites — Quakertown\n\n\n\nHampton Inn — Quakertown\n\n\n\n\nCabins/Camping\n\n\n\n\nLake Nockimixon Cabins\, PDF. More details about Lake Nocki Cabins\n\n\n\nTohickon Campground\n\n\n\nHomestead Family Campground\n\n\n\nRinging Rocks Campground\n\n\n\n\nMore details to come!\n\n\n\nIn-person Registrants will receive an email from Leigh several days prior to the event with more details and to prep working teams. For questions regarding venue location\, travel and accommodations\, please e-mail Leigh at leigh@opbarks.com \n\n\n\nGetting Even More Psyched? See REGISTRATION OPTIONS (below) to see details on registration options and how to nominate your dog as a demo dog. Note that registered students will be given access to pre-event resources. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegistration Options\n\n\n\nSeminar Participant ($600 In-Person)\n\n\n\nFully immerse yourself in lectures\, discussions and live-demos\, with or without a dog. Unlike traditional seminars\, which prioritizes individualized attention to each dog-handler teams with little participation from other handlers and auditors who pay a nominal fee to passively listen in\, the hands-on demonstrations and training sessions with selected participants dogs will be inclusive of the entire group\, permitting everyone to ask questions and fully participate in the discussions\, learning the practical application of topics presented in the lectures by watching a multitude of dogs and scenarios. \n\n\n\nThe first 10 registrants will get $100 off (in-person) or $60 off (Virtual attendance). Discount will be reflected in ticket cost (below)\, if you do not see a price reduction\, then they have all been claimed. \n\n\n\nWorking Spots ($165 upgrade)\n\n\n\nThose who would like to participate with their dog in the hands-on demonstrations must first register for the event (purchase a ticket) to reserve your spot as a seminar participant. After purchase\, submit 1 – 2 minute video clips (rather than one very long video) of a training session showcasing your dog working in a busy\, unfamiliar environment. Video clips should show your dog interacting with multiple rewards\, including food\, different types of toys\, and bites on equipment (if appropriate for your discipline). The objective here is to make sure that the dog can function well in a seminar context and that in-seminar work will promote learning for all seminar participants\, including your dog. \n\n\n\nSubmit links to your video (hosted on YouTube\, Vimeo\, etc) to events@kynology.org. Videos can also be submitted directly through WhatsApp (email us for that number). Once you are approved\, you may reserve a spot for your dog by purchasing a working spot upgrade. Note that submission does not guarantee approval\, and there are no refunds on seminar tickets if your dog is not approved (we want to fill the room with those who want to learn with the community and not just those who wish to work there dogs individually). \n\n\n\nVirtual Participation ($365 Livestream)\n\n\n\nCan’t make it in person but really want to be there? We are offering a LIMITED number of Livestream seats. Are we professional Livestreamers? No. Will you get to follow the fun and the chaos and get to participate in the group chat and occasionally get “behind the scenes” fun with the behind the scenes people? Yes. \n\n\n\nAnd in trade for the occasional technical glitch (and because we appreciate you and that not everyone learns at the same rates)\, EVERYONE in the room\, whether virtual or in-person\, will receive 2 weeks access to recordings after the event. Note that we are doing this to give you all an opportunity to catch anything that you missed and not stress about frantically capturing notes. We intend this to be a live event for people “in the room” (in person or in virtual simulacra) rather than purchase of a pre-recorded event. \n\n\n\n\n\nALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT? Login prior to purchase to expedite the process.  \n\n\n\nAccount Login\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIMPORTANT: Be sure to add your name and email to the attendee collection form during checkout to receive event updates and access to recordings.
URL:https://kynology.org/event/incense-and-irreverence-seminar/
LOCATION:Opportunity Barks\, Quakertown\, PA\, 18960\, United States
CATEGORIES:Seminar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://kynology.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Gemini_Generated_Image_sqsw4esqsw4esqsw.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261029T090000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261031T170000
DTSTAMP:20260904T221755Z
CREATED:20260815T221848Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260904T221755Z
UID:6557-1793264400-1793466000@kynology.org
SUMMARY:Kynology Down Under: Science and Modern Dog Training (Event #1)
DESCRIPTION:Pro Dog Training\, 1/2D Indwe Street\, West Footscray\, Victoria \n\n\n\nKynology is packing its bags and heading to Australia! This is the first of three unique educational events hosted by our collaborators at Pro Dog Training at their facility in Melbourne\, Victoria. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLink to Pro Dog Training to Register\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nScience and Modern Dog Training\n\n\n\nJoin us for three days of detailed lecture and deep discussion about the ways in which behavioral science informs modern methods for dog training. The intended audience is all Australasian kynologists — dedicated students of dog behavior\, learning\, and training\, who want to fully engage their minds when they train\, and when they discuss dogs. Topics will be relevant to companion dog and sport\, police\, and military working dog disciplines\, but should also interest any fancier who is thoughtful about dogs\, behavior\, and training. \n\n\n\n We’ll discuss Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning in depth\, and the ways these fundamental learning processes interact to produce good training — and the ways these interact to turn our training session into a bloody $%@ing dumpster fire. We’re going to address head-on the controversies about aversive control\, stress\, and the ethics of dog training\, picking up along the way a deep understanding of learned helplessness and why it has a lot to do with top-tier dog training — but not for the reasons that force-free ideologues may try to tell you.  \n\n\n\nWe’ll also unpack the nuts and bolts of stimulus control and secondary reinforcers and punishers\, along the way clarifying the contingency square we’re all taught but never quite understand the way we’d like to. \n\n\n\nThe objectives of the event are to help participants:\n\n\n\n\nLearn the science they need to make up their own minds about the important issues in dog training\n\n\n\nUnderstand on a deep level why certain procedures work well\, and why some procedures that seem to make perfectly good sense always wind up biting them in the ass\, and how to independently analyze their own work to get better results\n\n\n\nArticulate and also — when necessary — defend their personal ethical positions and technical dog training approaches when speaking with clients\, colleagues\, and councils or politicians\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTickets & Registration\n\n\n\nKynology is packing its bags and heading to Australia! This is one of four unique educational events hosted by our collaborators at Pro Dog Training at their facility in Melbourne\, Victoria. For details and registration go to prodogtraining.com.au/upcoming-events/dr-stewart-hilliard \n\n\n\n\nEvent #1: Science and Modern Dog Training (Oct 29 – 31) — Open registration\n\n\n\nEvent #2: Crash Course in Dog Reactivity (Nov 1) — Open registration\n\n\n\nEvent #3: Civil Aggression in Sport\, Police\, and Military Working Dogs (Nov 3 – 4) — Invite only\n\n\n\nEvent #4: Science and Training of Detector Dogs (Nov 5 – 6) — Open registration\n\n\n\n\nTickets for the first two events are open to anyone who wants to learn more about dog behavior and training\, and can be purchased from ProDog separately or in combo at a discounted rate.The civil aggression workshop is by invitation only. Sport\, police and military working dog agencies interested in joining this event should contact Pro Dog Training directly to inquire. \n\n\n\n\nLink to Pro Dog Training to Register\n\n\n\n\nQuestions about the seminar content? Email us at events@kynology.org. Questions about tickets\, payment\, or logistics on the ground in Melbourne go to Pro Dog Training directly. \n\n\n\nRead Dr. Hilliard’s full biography »
URL:https://kynology.org/event/kynology-down-under-science-and-modern-dog-training/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261101T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261101T170000
DTSTAMP:20260904T221949Z
CREATED:20260815T221917Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260904T221949Z
UID:6559-1793523600-1793552400@kynology.org
SUMMARY:Kynology Down Under: Dog Reactivity Crash Course (Event #2)
DESCRIPTION:Pro Dog Training\, 1/2D Indwe Street\, West Footscray\, Victoria \n\n\n\nKynology is packing its bags and heading to Australia! This is the second of three unique educational events hosted by our collaborators at Pro Dog Training at their facility in Melbourne\, Victoria. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLink to Pro Dog Training to Register\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDog Reactivity: A Crash Course\n\n\n\nA one-day intensive course in thinking about and remedying undesirable emotional responding (think fear\, aggression\, and predation) by dogs when on leash and any way they show up in life. Although the main focus will be companion dogs\, the course is relevant to work dogs as well because “drivey” work-bred dogs are at high risk of developing reactivity problems. \n\n\n\nWe’ll briefly touch on counterconditioning\, differential reinforcement of other/alternative responses\, systematic desensitization\, the role of aversive control\, and the relative strengths and risks of Pavlovian conditioning-centered vs instrumental conditioning-centered approaches to the problem. \n\n\n\nThen we’ll do as much practical work as time and dogs allow in one day\, including evaluation\, formation of training plans\, and initial steps for implementation and then revision of plans. As always\, discussion and practical applications will be supported by the three pillars of practical efficacy\, welfare (dog\, owner\, and community)\, and ethics. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTickets & Registration\n\n\n\nKynology is packing its bags and heading to Australia! This is one of four unique educational events hosted by our collaborators at Pro Dog Training at their facility in Melbourne\, Victoria. For details and registration go to prodogtraining.com.au/upcoming-events/dr-stewart-hilliard \n\n\n\n\nEvent #1: Science and Modern Dog Training (Oct 29 – 31) — Open registration\n\n\n\nEvent #2: Crash Course in Dog Reactivity (Nov 1) — Open registration\n\n\n\nEvent #3: Civil Aggression in Sport\, Police\, and Military Working Dogs (Nov 3 – 4) — Invite only\n\n\n\nEvent #4: Science and Training of Detector Dogs (Nov 5 – 6) — Open registration\n\n\n\n\nTickets for the first two events are open to anyone who wants to learn more about dog behavior and training\, and can be purchased from ProDog separately or in combo at a discounted rate.The civil aggression workshop is by invitation only. Sport\, police and military working dog agencies interested in joining this event should contact Pro Dog Training directly to inquire. \n\n\n\n\nLink to Pro Dog Training to Register\n\n\n\n\nQuestions about the seminar content? Email us at events@kynology.org. Questions about tickets\, payment\, or logistics on the ground in Melbourne go to Pro Dog Training directly. \n\n\n\nRead Dr. Hilliard’s full biography »
URL:https://kynology.org/event/kynology-down-under-dog-reactivity-crash-course/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261103T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261104T170000
DTSTAMP:20260904T221741Z
CREATED:20260815T222435Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260904T221741Z
UID:6580-1793696400-1793811600@kynology.org
SUMMARY:Kynology Down Under: Civil Aggression in Police and Military Working Dogs (Event #3)
DESCRIPTION:Kynology is packing its bags and heading to Australia! This is the third of three unique educational events hosted by our collaborators at Pro Dog Training at their facility in Melbourne\, Victoria. This event is by invitation only\, and is closed to the general public. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLink to Pro Dog Training to Register\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTwo days’ focus on a core aspect of training biting dogs for sport or service– understanding and working with social aggression. In lecture\, we will focus on the ethology of working dog training and the traditional Raiserian model of predation vs aggression\, but also the operant realm of stimulus control of bite intent. Thus we’ll examine desirable aggression as a training objective through both ethological and also behavior-analytic lenses. Practically\, Dr. Hilliard will zero-in on demonstration and teaching of the neglected art of civil agitation. Stewart will first evaluate participant dogs for social aggression\, thresholds\, and agency under social stress\, and then transition (with care) to instructing a small number of selected participants in using modulated social threat to induce a constructive level of stress\, and movement to convert emotional barking to instrumental barking and install resilience and agency under pressure. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTickets & Registration\n\n\n\nKynology is packing its bags and heading to Australia! This is one of four unique educational events hosted by our collaborators at Pro Dog Training at their facility in Melbourne\, Victoria. For details and registration go to prodogtraining.com.au/upcoming-events/dr-stewart-hilliard \n\n\n\n\nEvent #1: Science and Modern Dog Training (Oct 29 – 31) — Open registration\n\n\n\nEvent #2: Crash Course in Dog Reactivity (Nov 1) — Open registration\n\n\n\nEvent #3: Civil Aggression in Sport\, Police\, and Military Working Dogs (Nov 3 – 4) — Invite only\n\n\n\nEvent #4: Science and Training of Detector Dogs (Nov 5 – 6) — Open registration\n\n\n\n\nTickets for the first two events are open to anyone who wants to learn more about dog behavior and training\, and can be purchased from ProDog separately or in combo at a discounted rate.The civil aggression workshop is by invitation only. Sport\, police and military working dog agencies interested in joining this event should contact Pro Dog Training directly to inquire. \n\n\n\n\nLink to Pro Dog Training to Register\n\n\n\n\nQuestions about the seminar content? Email us at events@kynology.org. Questions about tickets\, payment\, or logistics on the ground in Melbourne go to Pro Dog Training directly. \n\n\n\nRead Dr. Hilliard’s full biography »
URL:https://kynology.org/event/kynology-down-under-civil-aggression-in-police-and-military-working-dogs/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261105T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261106T170000
DTSTAMP:20260915T113751Z
CREATED:20260915T113748Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T113751Z
UID:6720-1793869200-1793984400@kynology.org
SUMMARY:Kynology Down Under: Science and Training of Detector Dogs (Event#4)
DESCRIPTION:Kynology is packing its bags and heading to Australia! This is the fourth and final of three—NOW FOUR—unique educational events hosted by our collaborators at Pro Dog Training at their facility in Melbourne\, Victoria. \n\n\n\nPro Dog Training\, 1/2D Indwe Street\, West Footscray\, Victoria \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLink to Pro Dog Training to Register\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJust Say No! — Science and Training of Detector Dogs\n\n\n\nAngel Landrau and Dr. Stewart Hilliard\n\n\n\nThis will be a two-day crash course designed to introduce detector dog operators (both amateur and professional) with the basic theoretical and practical knowledge they need. Dr. Hilliard will lead on theory\, and Angel Landrau (MSgt US Air Force\, Ret; previous MPC Teams Training Advisor for the US Army Special Operations Command\, and current MWD consignment evaluator for the 341st Training Squadron) will bring his completely original approach to practical work. The course is organized around already-trained dogs—evaluating their accuracy and specificity on operations\, identifying their weaknesses\, and on-the-spot interventions and training plans to address those weaknesses. The orientation of this course is unconventional: In addition to the creating ”tuned” control of the dog’s alert and indication (or CoB and final response) by trained odor\, we emphasize methods to test for and eliminate false responding controlled by distractor odors\, masking odors\, and other stimuli. In order to be accurate\, operational detector dogs have to correctly say “No\, my trained odor is not here” far more often than they have to correctly say “Yes\, my odor is here.” This is why our motto is “Teach your dog to just say No!” and we will demonstrate procedures to assess how good your dog is at saying No and also improve this critical ability. Other unconventional ideas we introduce will include: a) Rewarding indication responses with random rather than continuous reinforcement; b) assessing the reliability of the dog’s alert versus the indication (which one provides the handler with the best evidence?); c) teaching the dog to be a specific discriminator rather than a non-specific “feature detector;” and d) isolating search training (long-duration sniffing and searching) from alert/indication training\, so that handlers can adjust the number of hides they place in training to reflect operational conditions\, rather than placing hides– far too frequently– just to reward their dog for search behavior. This seminar will be geared for K9 operators from law enforcement and military\, but also welcomes trainers and handlers from private industry or sport training\, depending on the venue. \n\n\n\nProgram Overview:\n\n\n\nWe will focus on core knowledge that trainers must have in order to understand detector dogs\, and produce accurate and reliable real-world K9 detection performance. We will welcome handlers of any kind of detector dog—narcotic\, explosive\, sport\, or conservation dogs\, etc. This event will be more practically-oriented than standard Kynology events\, perhaps ⅓ lecture and theory and ⅔ practical work and training. Number handler-d0g teams will be limited to eight\, obersvers wil be limited to the size of the venue. Dr. Hilliard’s lectures will provide essential knowledge on the following topics: \n\n\n\n\nPavlovian Conditioning: Essentials of stimulus — Stimulus learning\, and what exactly is odor recognition?\n\n\n\nInstrumental Conditioning: Essentials of response — Consequence learning and practical applications to detection.\n\n\n\nAlert vs indication — How do you know when your dog has encountered target odor? What is your best evidence on operations and for the courts?\n\n\n\nSignal detection theory — The dog as a signal detector\, and the effect of asymmetric reinforcement schedules for hits vs correct rejections\n\n\n\nStimulus control of detection responding — Generalization and discrimination\, blocking\, overshadowing\, latent inhibition\, sensory pre-conditioning\, and relative validity– Why detection training goes right when it goes right\, and why it goes wrong when it is a dumpster fire\n\n\n\nControl by target (trained) odor — “Tuning” the detector dog’s generalization curves for accurate detection of real-world targets \n\n\n\nControl by non-target and other stimuli — Minimizing the influence of odors and other stimuli\, especially the odors of delivery devices and other big &%$#ing technical problems\, to prevent misses and false responses\n\n\n\nHandling options for improving search behavior\, improving accuracy when detecting\, localizing\, and indicating trained odor\, and decreasing false responding.\n\n\n\nHandling options for improving motivation and establishing multiple “levels” of motivation for different detection tasks\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTickets & Registration\n\n\n\nKynology is packing its bags and heading to Australia! This is one of four unique educational events hosted by our collaborators at Pro Dog Training at their facility in Melbourne\, Victoria. For details and registration go to prodogtraining.com.au/upcoming-events/dr-stewart-hilliard \n\n\n\n\nEvent #1: Science and Modern Dog Training (Oct 29 – 31) — Open registration\n\n\n\nEvent #2: Crash Course in Dog Reactivity (Nov 1) — Open registration\n\n\n\nEvent #3: Civil Aggression in Sport\, Police\, and Military Working Dogs (Nov 3 – 4) — Invite only\n\n\n\nEvent #4: Science and Training of Detector Dogs (Nov 5 – 6) — Open registration\n\n\n\n\nTickets for the first two events are open to anyone who wants to learn more about dog behavior and training\, and can be purchased from ProDog separately or in combo at a discounted rate.The civil aggression workshop is by invitation only. Sport\, police and military working dog agencies interested in joining this event should contact Pro Dog Training directly to inquire. \n\n\n\n\nLink to Pro Dog Training to Register\n\n\n\n\nQuestions about the seminar content? Email us at events@kynology.org. Questions about tickets\, payment\, or logistics on the ground in Melbourne go to Pro Dog Training directly. \n\n\n\nRead Dr. Hilliard’s full biography »
URL:https://kynology.org/event/kynology-down-under-science-and-training-of-detector-dogs-event4/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20270204T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20270206T170000
DTSTAMP:20260816T221259Z
CREATED:20260816T202138Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260816T221259Z
UID:6625-1801731600-1801933200@kynology.org
SUMMARY:Kynology Europa: Science and Modern Dog Training
DESCRIPTION:Kynology returns to its roots in Europe\, homeland of working dog breeds\, working dog training\, and the science of Ethology. \n\n\n\nJoin Dr. Stewart Hilliard at KynoTec GmbH in Payerstetten\, Austria for three days of intensive lecture and deep discussion about behavioral science and modern dog training. The intended audience is kynologists– dedicated  students of dog behavior\, learning\, and training. Topics will be relevant to any thoughtful trainer of companion dogs\, sport\, police\, and military working dogs\, or hunting dogs. We’ll discuss: \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe mechanisms of Pavlovian S – S conditioning (including Pavlovian inhibition) and instrumental R – S conditioning; the ways S – S and R – S learning processes interact to produce effective dog training\, and the ways they can interact to produce misbehavior and turn our training session into a $%!@ing dumpster fire. \n\n\n\nThe nature of reward and signaled reward\, the processes of sign- and goal-tracking; the role of dopamine neuromodulation\, and the differences between liking something\, wanting it\, and being reinforced by it\n\n\n\nThe essentials of aversive control\, including the mechanisms of negative punishment\, positive punishment\, and negative reinforcement\, the transition from escape responding to avoidance\, and the importance of safety signals\n\n\n\nThe ethics of dog training– The learned helplessness effect\, the critical factor of subjective control\, and data and theories of stress and welfare; the concepts of beneficial stress\, and instrumental agency and choice agency\, and the issues surrounding moral standing\, animal welfare\, and ethical accountability  \n\n\n\n\nThe objectives of the event are to help participants: \n\n\n\n\nMaster the behavioral science they need in order to understand the mechanisms of modern dog training\, and formulate their individual positions on the critical technical and ethical issues in kynology\n\n\n\nUnderstand on a deep level why certain procedures work well\, and why some procedures that seem to make perfectly good sense work poorly\, and analyze their own work to get better results\n\n\n\nArticulate and also – when necessary– defend their individual ethical positions and technical dog training approaches when speaking with clients\,  colleagues\, and policy-makers.\n\n\n\n\nWe’ll have fun with this and there will be plenty of $%!@ing cussing\, because nothing unites Americans and Europeans in these times of……..er………misunderstanding…….like the Seven Words of that Great American thinker\, Mr. George Carlin.   \n\n\n\nThree days\, 12 lectures\n\n\n\n\nDay 1 – Pavlovian Conditioning\, Instrumental Conditioning\, Misbehavior\, Reinforcement Theory\n\n\n\nDay 2 – Contingency Square 1\, Aversiveness\, Negative and Positive Punishment\, Negative Reinforcement\, Contingency Square 2\n\n\n\nDay 3 – Learned Helplessness\, Stress & Welfare\, Agency & Accountability
URL:https://kynology.org/event/kynology-europa-science-and-modern-dog-training/
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