This week-end seminar addresses the broad issues of communication between canine and human and vise versa. Day one, with Dr. John Wright, covers the area of greatest potential for risk in human / canine interaction--aggression--the interpretation of its expression, an analysis of the underlying behavioral factors associated with that form of expression and suggestions for subsequent behavior modification protocols.

Day two, with Pia Silvani, encompasses reading and understanding the rest of the myriad canine body language expressions. Equally important, we'll also examine the ways that canines may be reading (or misreading) the conscious and unconscious body signals of humans.

UNDERSTANDING THE EXPRESSION & UNDERLYING MOTIVATION OF AGGRESSION:

1. Defining Aggression and its varied components
2. Visually recognizing the spectrum of aggressive manifestation from precursors such as hard staring to the full range of growling, lunging, snapping, mouthing, inhibited biting and uninhibited biting.
3. Identifying the motivations, emotional states, traits and role relationships associated with aggressive behavior. Distinguishing between emotional states (e.g. "fear" or "anger") and enduring traits (e.g. "defensive" or "highly assertive")

PROCEDURES FOR DECREASING AGGRESSION

1. Summary of classical and operant conditioning, and counterconditioning.
2. Treating and decreasing aggression with classical and operant conditioning (to acquire less stressful behaviors), counterconditioning (countercommanding) and systematic desensitization (with examples).
3. Recognizing situational cues (and triggers) that can increase or decrease aggression, and learning how to manipulate them to advantage, in a behavior modification program.

READING THE DOG

A thorough understanding of canine social behavior is crucial for any animal professional wishing to develop training curricula, assess a shelter dog or develop protocols for behavioral problems. However, we must also be clear about what we observe, and how we interpret that, and not use easy but erroneous cliches. For example, labeling a dog "submissive" is inaccurate since submission is a behavior and not a personality trait. The first half of this seminar will involve observing dog behavior, using video footage. We shall then discuss and interpret what the dogs are doing, by analyzing the subtle and not so subtle aspects of their body language. Our intent is to heighten your ability to recognize when, and to what degree, the following behaviors vs. personality traits are present (or absent);

• Friendly
• Greeting
• Avoidance
• Passive Submission
• Active Submission
• Threatening
• Aggressive (defensive or offensive)

READING THE HUMAN

The second half of the seminar will focus on bridging the communication gap between human and dog. Communication between two living creatures means the actions of one will alter or have an influence on the behavior of the other. We are communicating with our dog all the time, whether we intend to send a message or not. However, what do these words and movements mean to our dog? So often our signals are misread or misunderstood, even a simple hug, or how we hold the leash. What is the dog really hearing and how is it assessed? And why are behaviors not completely under stimulus control? Does your dog always sit when asked? Video footage and live demonstrations will help you to recognize the difference between your intended message and what the dog is apparently perceiving. Additional footage and demos will help show the unintended effects on the dog of our often-unconscious words and body movements.

Our inability to communicate effectively with dogs may be resulting in an increase in canine behavior problems. Are we causing dogs to be labeled dominant when they are really exhibiting anxiety or conflict as a result of our signals? How do we help owners overcome the communication gap?

Pia Silvani's love of teaching began over 20 years ago as a private trainer, dance instructor, track, field and swimming coach for the Special Olympics and Regional Clinician for an international aerobics corporation where she trained new instructors in the field. After 13 years of para-legal/office management work, she decided to make her part-time teaching career a full-time dream. She combined her love of teaching people with her other fondness, dogs.

Pia is Director of Training and Behavior at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, Madison, New Jersey. Through research, continuing education, and enthusiasm she was instrumental in developing a pet training curriculum focusing on positive, reward-based techniques, which are extremely effective in the enhancement of the bond and relationship of the dog and her human companion. The result of her efforts is an astounding 75+ classes per week, which includes 8 levels of pet training classes and specialty courses designed for dogs with extreme behavioral problems. She has written five training manuals, which are being used around the country as a resource guide for other trainers. Pia also developed a behavioral department, which offers a wide range of private consultations in both canine and feline behavior.

Pia conducts behavior/temperament testing as well as runs a Canine Coach training program for shelter dogs. She writes quarterly behavior articles for the shelter's newsletter; has been written up many times in national, State and local newspapers and made numerous guest appearances on television and radio. She has spoken at various conferences and forums around the country and routinely consults with various shelters (including San Francisco SPCA) to assist them in improving and expanding their programs.

Other accomplishments:

• Member of the American Humane Association Task Force for Humane Dog Training
• Business Practice chairperson of the Delta Guidelines for Humane Dog Training, which was published in 2001.
• Past V.P. of the APDT and charter member
• Restructured the training curriculum with five team members for over 500 PETsMART stores in North America and part of the educational team who educated the trainers
• Staff instructor of the ITC and AITC training program for the past 3 years
• Board Advisor to the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
• Subject Matter Expert for the first national certification program for dog trainers
• Board of Directors of Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers
• Authored 5 training manuals

DOG STUFF
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME. No dogs attendees' pet dogs are allowed in the conference room. If you cannot leave your dog at home, your dog must be confined safely and quietly in your vehicle (weather permitting).

We will be working with shelter dogs and presenting video clips of dogs throughout the conference.

Our main concern continues to be the care and safety of the dogs. Due to past compliance difficulties, Puppyworks reserves the right to remove any dog or person from All About Dogs, Inc. Professional Training Center property if our dog rules are not adhered to or if individuals put their dogs at risk.

PEOPLE ETIQUETTE
During the conference, please turn off all cell phone and pager audio alerts. Please take all private conversations outside while the speaker is presenting.

VIDEOTAPING
No videotaping or audiotaping, please.

BABIES
The presence of a baby is likely to be distracting to other participants, so we ask that you refrain from bringing any babies or very young children into the lecture hall.

BOOKS & TOYS, ETC. FOR SALE
A selection of books, videos and toys will be available for sale.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Wednesday, March 16, 2005.

REFUND POLICY
Full refund issued if requested by email or phone no later than Wednesday, March 16, 2005. Refunds requested after Wednesday, March 16, 2005 will be issued a 50% credit slip (less food purchases) that may be applied to future Puppyworks educational events. No refunds or credits after 12:00 noon (EST) Friday, March 18, 2005.

PARKING
Please park your vehicle in the rear of the building.

From the North:

1. I-95 Southbound to Exit 161, Route 1, South (Jefferson -Davis Highway)
2. Go approximately 3 miles and take a left onto Featherstone Road
3. Go approximately 1.0 mile and take a right onto Persistence Drive
4. The building is on the left hand side at the end of the road.
5. Additional parking in back

From the South:

1. I-95 Northbound to Exit 156, Dale City/Rippon Landing
2. Left onto Route 1, North (Jefferson-Davis Highway)
3. Go approximately 1.3 miles and take a right onto Featherstone Road
4. Go approximately 1.0 mile and take a right onto Persistence Drive
5. The building is on the left hand side at the end of the road.
6. Additional parking in back

QUALITY INN AT POTOMAC MILLS (10 minutes away) 109 Horner Rd Woodbridge, VA 22191 1-800-228-5151 www.apluslodging.com/va400/index.htm PETS ARE WELCOME IN SELECTED ROOMS, $20 charge per day ECONO LODGE (12 minutes away) 13317 Gordon Boulevard Woodbridge, VA 22191 1-800-55E-CONO PETS ACCEPTED, $10 charge WYTESTONE SUITES OF POTOMAC MILLS (7 minutes away) 14525 Gideon Dr Woodbridge, VA 22192 1-888-747-8100 www.wytestone.com NO DOGS ALLOWED

For registration inquiries, contact:
email: events@puppyworks.com