1. conditions that can endanger staff,
2. how to correct such conditions
3. what to do in an emergency, and
4. what are the early signs of aggression before a threat or bite occurs.

1. Detect potential problem animal behavior before meeting the animal or before it enters your facility (including training for customer service and intake staff).     Various types of aggression associated with behavioral or medical problems can be flagged well before the animal enters a facility. We'll be reviewing how to create effective communication between the staff and client.

2. Recognizing friendly, dominance & fear behaviors in dogs, cats & other species.     Many animal accidents occur due to our inability to read the animals' behavioral cues properly, prior to the display of aggression or a bite taking place. Key behaviors associated with friendliness, dominance, fear and medical problems will be reviewed.

3. Effective & safe animal handling during medical and behavioral evaluations.     Evaluating and detecting problem animal behavior properly is key to appropriate placement of animals. Sometimes this can be potentially dangerous for medical staff, behavioral staff and adoption staff. The handling of animals in these situations & many more will be covered in detail.

4. Successful & secure animal handling & hazard detection for all staff & volunteers.     Kennel staff members are the main ingredients in providing care, detection of medical issues & evolving behavior (good and bad), within a shelter, animal hospital, grooming parlor, boarding / day care facility and kennel. Their education and ability to handle animals and detect hazardous set-ups or dangerous behaviors will result in the minimization of harm to the staff and animals. Advanced animal handling techniques and hazard detection will be covered in detail.

5. Emergency, offensive / defensive animal handling techniques:    

• Approaching animal cages or holding pens properly--
• Proper leash/rope handling (offensive and defensive)--
• Safe removal & return of dogs & cats to cages
• Protecting yourself from attacks: dog is on leash and in cat attacks/escapes--(i.e. The stiff arm, The body pivot, The air plane spin, The tie down)--
• Handling attacks from animals, unleashed and in open areas--
• Art of lassoing and muzzling

6. Hands on Roping/Lassoing and Muzzling Training with audience.    

• Holding the rope/leash properly--
• Hands on review of proper lasso technique-
• Short & Long distance lassoing & Ways to practice lasso technique--
• Understanding Critical Distance in dog and cat handling--
• Hands on review of Muzzling techniques:
• Figure eight muzzling technique/Short & Long distance

THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH FACTOR
TO IDENTIFY ANIMALS AT RISK IN THE COMMUNITY & PROVIDE HELP
Prevention of animal misunderstanding or supplying basic needs in emergencies can help to reduce waves of surrenders that are often at the heart of shelter / kennel stress. One program working on these goals is "Training Wheels".

This video demonstrates how Training Wheels vans provide toys, food, training, equipment and spay - neuter discount certificates where needed in a community as well as advise about behavior & training, so that a pet problem becomes a solvable problem for its loving family instead of another pet surrender or abandonment. In addition to local endeavors, Training Wheels travels nation-wide, teaching staff and volunteers to implement the program in their communities.

Following the presentation, a limited number of slots will be available for attendees to accompany the Training Wheels van on its route in the local community.

West Artope is the former Assistant Executive Director of the Center for Animal Care & Control ("NYCACC"), New York City's open admissions shelter. The NYCACC received up to 60,000 animals per year. In this capacity, West managed and trained staff persons who experienced dangerous animal encounters regularly. He also serves as a behavioral consultant, trainer, and lectures on topics related to animal care throughout the New York/Tri-state area and abroad. He is a licensed Veterinary Technician, certified animal behaviorist & trainer. West's personal training business, " Pet-ology Inc," provides basic and advanced obedience training, behavior modification, problem solving, and proper animal handling techniques, for the public, law enforcement, animal shelters, hospitals, and private organizations that tend to encounter hazardous animal interactions.


Jane Kopelman is a dog trainer and the Shelter Manager at Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption. Jane was on the behavior staff at the ASPCA in NY City and has been managing Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption for the last eight years. She has served on the Board of Directors of the NY City Center for Animal Care & Control. She is also a certified Delta Society evaluator and is currently doing pet thereapy with her dog, Kelly. Jane lectures nationally on sheltering and community outreach. She is the National Director of the Training 'Wheels shelter outreach program and was featured on ESPN's "Don't Be Like Mike" video. She has also appeared on television, most recently on "It's Me or the Dog" with Victoria Stillwell.

DOG ETIQUETTE
Due to space limitations, we will only be permitted to have service dogs in the meeting room.

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.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Thursday, December 1, 2011

REFUND POLICY
A full refund (excluding food orders) will be issued if requested before Wednesday, November 30. No refunds or credits issued after 12:00 pm on Friday, December 2. All refunds must be requested by email or phone. There are no exceptions to this policy.

New York State Thruway (I 87) to Exit 19 Kingston (91 miles north of New York City or 51 miles south of Albany, NY).

After toll, stay to the farthest right at the round-about, and follow signs for Route 28 to Route 209. After about 1/4 mile on Route 28 go through one light and almost immediately thereafter take Route 209 South in the direction of Ellenville. Stay on Route 209 South for exactly 13 miles, and just past Sparrow Hawk Bed and Breakfast, you will come to Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption on the right. Workshop will be held in the large blue training building closest to the road.

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