Saturday april 27

​Session II: The Science of Human-Canine Teams
​Performance and Working Dogs

Wet Labs & Interactive Demonstrations

1:15-3:15pm | LH2 & Large Animal Breezeway
UPenn Working Dog Center Workshop
Meghan Ramos, VMD (Penn Vet Working Dog Center)
Brenna Babiy, CPDT (Penn Vet Working Dog Center)

​Introduction to Canine Fitness

​In this laboratory, students will learn the importance of canine fitness. We will focus on all aspects including warm up and cool down, body awareness, strengthening and conditioning exercises, and mental stamina. Just as people benefit from regular exercise to maintain health and fitness, dogs should also get regular, focused exercise to protect against injury and maintain health and mobility.

Learn more about Dr. Meghan Ramos​ and ​Certified Professional Dog Trainer Brenna Babiy!

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3:30-5:30pm | Large Animal Breezeway
Shaping Behavior in Dog Sports and Training Workshop
Sue Yanoff, DVM, MS, DACVS (Animal Performance & Therapy Center, Fenzi Dog Sports Academy)

Introduction to Shaping: A Force-Free, Positive Reinforcement Training Technique​​

Shaping is a training technique in which dogs are rewarded for successive approximations of behaviors that lead to the end behavior. This workshop will introduce participants to the principles of shaping (timing, criteria, rate of reinforcement), using a clicker as a marker. We will discuss positive reinforcement training. The mechanics of clicking and treating will be stressed, since clean mechanics make learning faster, easier and less frustrating. Working participants will be coached as they teach their dogs to perform simple behaviors. We will discuss other marker cues, and touch on the concept of location specific markers.

Learn more about Dr. Sue Yanoff!