Basic Training Philosophy

• Introduction to the two-day seminar and an overview of Ken's personal training philosophy and how these topics might weave together.

• Most experienced trainers recognize the value of finding reinforcers other than food or treats. However, not every trainer knows how to establish new reinforcers nor how to evaluate their effectiveness.
• This seminar will focus on two different categories of non-food reinforcers:
  • Novel Reinforcers such as clapping, praise, or a simple thumbs up as well as
  • Natural Reinforcers such as playing, chasing, and social interactions.
• Ken will share his perspectives and experience with non-food reinforcers and explain his approach to implementing them into a good training program and maintaining their effectiveness.

• This seminar will look at a potpourri of topics that are sometimes not explored in great depth. Ken will look at the practical aspects of these tools and look at the science behind each of them.
• These may include, but are not limited to: Keep Going Signals, End of Session Signals, No Reward Markers, Least Reinforcing Scenario, Recall Signals, Jackpots, Behavior Chains, and Differential Reinforcement Strategies.

Social Animals: Working with Groups of Animals

• Ken has worked with exotic animals for more than 35 years and used specific strategies for working with multiple animals. Over the years he has introduced these concepts to dog trainers to assist them in working with multiple animals at the same time.
• This seminar will focus on: stationing strategies, fairness, use of a marker signal, and introducing new animals to each other.

• Aggression is a constant concern for trainers of domestic and exotic animals as it is a natural part of all animal's repertoire. 
• This seminar focuses on: an exploration of the various popular aggression treat- ment plans and their specific effectiveness and the underlying science behind them.
• Then Ken will share the step by step strategies and techniques he uses for reducing aggression.

• In 2013 Ken took on a nearly 3-year dog project with a number of aggressive and reactive dogs and used the same techniques he had used with exotic animals to teach these problematic shelter dogs to live together.
• This seminar will outline the strategies and techniques needed to train animals to live and work together and examine how well that worked for these highly aggressive dogs. It will provide food for thought in looking at whether or not these tools may be effective in other situations.

KEN RAMIREZ (www.kenramireztraining.com) In October 2014, Ken Ramirez became Executive Vice-President and Chief Training Officer of Karen Pryor Clicker Training where he helps oversee the vision, development and implementation of their training education programs. This move is in line with Ken's philosophy of helping to bring positive reinforcement training to all corners of the animal training world. 

Ken previously served as the Executive Vice-President of animal care and animal training at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, where he developed and supervised animal care and animal health programs, staff training and development as well as public presentation programs for the entire animal collection of more than 32,000 animals. He worked at Shedd for nearly 26 years.  In October 2014 Ken began a new role as a training advisor at Shedd as part of his responsibilities with Karen Pryor's organization.

A 35+ year veteran of animal care and training, Ramirez is a biologist and animal behaviorist who served nine years at Marineworld of Texas.  He also was a trainer and coordinator at Ocean Safari in South Padre Island, Texas, as well as acting as a consultant to many zoo and aquarium programs throughout the world.  He began his training career working with guide dogs for the visually impaired and has maintained a close affiliation to pet training throughout his career.  He hosted two successful seasons of the pet training television series Talk to the Animals that compared pet training to the important work done with training and caring for animals in zoological facilities.  He has also recently worked closely with several search and rescue dog organizations, service dog groups, as well as with bomb and narcotic dogs. 

Since 2005, Ken has brought his experience as a trainer of many cognitive projects with marine mammals and primates to the dog arena.  Most notable has been his work with modifier cues, adduction, matching to sample, mimicry, and counting. The latter two projects: teaching dogs to mimic or imitate other dogs; and to learn the concept of counting are in the process of being prepared for scientific publication.  Both of these projects have documented cognitive abilities in dogs that have not been previously well documented or understood.   

Ramirez has been active in several professional organizations, including the International Marine Animal Trainer's Association (IMATA), of which he is a past president.  Ken has been actively involved in the creation of a certification process for animal trainers in zoological settings.  He has been on the faculty of Karen Pryor's Clicker Expos since 2005.

Ramirez has written for numerous scientific publications and authored countless popular articles.  He authored the book ANIMAL TRAINING: Successful Animal Management through Positive Reinforcement, published in 1999. He also teaches a graduate course on animal training at Western Illinois University. 

DOG ETIQUETTE
Due to space limitations, we will not be permitted to have dogs in the meeting room (other than service dogs, of course).

PEOPLE ETIQUETTE
During the lectures, please turn off all cell phone and pager audio alerts. Please take all private conversations outside while the speakers are presenting.

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.

VIDEOTAPING
No videotaping or audiotaping is permitted. A selection of videotapes and books will be available for sale.

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

PARKING
There should be ample parking at the seminar location.

SEATS
The lecture hall provides metal folding chairs. If you prefer, you March bring another chair or cushion for your comfort.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Thursday, March 3, 2016

REFUND POLICY
All deposits fully refunded, at any time, in case a person needs to cancel a reservation for any reason. There is never a cancellation fee.

Local drive times: 10 min. from Fairfax; 35 min. from Arlington, DC & Silver Spring, 1 hr. from Baltimore

The Hall is located about 4 miles from Exit 54 Of the I-495 Beltway. Take Rte. 620 (Braddock Rd.) to left at Rte. 645/652 (Burke Lake Rd.) to left on Burke Rd. First left is Old Burke Lake Rd. and Hall is mid-block on the left. Drive times: 10 to 15 minutes from Fairfax, Annandale & Woodbridge VA; 30 to 35 minutes from Arlington VA, Washington DC & Silver Spring MD; one hour from Baltimore and one and one-half hours from Richmond VA

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