Maine Dog Training Company is proud to sponsor a variety of seminars, lectures and working sessions from the best trainers and speakers from across the country and around the world. Our seminars offer an opportunity for dog trainers and dog owners alike to learn from the best on a variety of subjects from dog sports to problem solving to building a better relationship with your dog. Join MDTC and learn along with us!
Mike Suttle 4 Day Detection Seminar July 9th-12th 2020
Logan Haus Kennels’ 4-day, Detection Fundamentals Course is a great opportunity for anyone interested in detection training. This course covers everything from the basics of detection training to more advanced problem solving. This course is designed around two classroom lectures covered the first two mornings, with as much practical application as we can fit in. Our first lecture is on Operant and Classical Conditioning, the foundation of what our training methods and principles are based on. Learning the fundamentals of Operant and Classical Conditioning is vital for success in our training system. During this lecture, we also discuss Behavior Shaping. During the Operant Conditioning lecture you will learn: - How animals learn through the four quadrants of Operant Conditioning - How to correctly use classical conditioning to prepare the dog for marker training - How to properly motivate the dog for training - How to achieve engagement before training can begin - Drive theory in training - The use of deprivation in training - Reward VS Reinforcer - Timing of reinforcement - Superstitious behaviors - Primary / Secondary Reinforcers - Reinforcement schedules - Stimulus control - How to use a “skinner box” - Successive approximation - Back chaining - Behavior economics - Techniques to improve your timing and reading the animal During the practical application, students will learn how we shape behaviors with chickens in color and shape discrimination. Chickens make excellent training models for shaping behaviors due to their speed and the fact that they cannot be trained using force or aversive methods. This will help the student make huge improvements in his timing. The concept of color and shape discrimination with a chicken is very much the same as the concept of odor detection with a dog. The second lecture is on Odor Detection. We see many dogs who have a solid understanding of target odor, but who have not been properly proofed off of many different distractor odors. This leads to false indication problems. We also see many dogs that are not taught independent searching, but rather rely on handlers to lead them to the source for “odor confirmation,” rather than true odor detection. In the Odor Detection lecture you will learn: - How to apply the concepts of classical and operant conditioning in teaching correct odor detection work - The fundamentals of training an odor detector dog based on timing, criteria, and rate of reinforcement - How to begin odor work as young as 1-day old - Training tools and techniques to develop accurate and reliable detector dogs - How to teach dogs to ignore all distractor odors with no punishment - The importance of hunt drive in a detector dog and how we utilize it - How to teach a focused Trained Final Response (TFR) with marker training - How to teach a dog to search a pattern independently of his handler - The importance of drive building with a detector dog During the practical application, students will learn how to begin odor detection with a 7-week old puppy. They will learn how to teach the puppy to recognize one target odor, ignore many distractor odors such as food and toys, and perform a consistent search pattern. Students will also work with their own adult dog on odor imprinting, proofing off distractor odors, and general detection problem solving. We will also briefly discuss proper canine selection. The degree of our success in dog training is greatly dictated by starting with the correct type of dog for the job required. Many dogs are genetically limited to the point of not being suitable for the type of work we are trying to train them to do. Having a thorough understanding of proper dog selection will keep you from fighting the uphill battle of trying to train a dog that is not genetically cut out to perform to the standard set forth by the mission requirement.
Cost: $700 working spot ( for all 4 days : see below for details) Working spots are open to Police K9 Handlers, Game Warden and SAR First! Seminar will be open to the general public after June 1st Working Spot Dogs: Dogs must have the drive & desire to hunt AND play with a toy!
$400 Audit spot (for all 4 days, no one day options) Open to everyone
*Snacks and beverages will be provided. All participants must bring their own lunch
Glenn & Narelle Cooke Canine Aggression with Glenn Reg opening soon! Canine Nutrition & Behavior with Narelle September 19th/20th 2020
Narelle Cooke Saturday September 19th 2020 9am-5pm
Narelle will go into great detail of canine diet & nutrition. Raw feeding vs kibble, understanding labels and how nutrition affects behavior
Topics Include: Nutrition fundamentals Understanding macro- and micro-nutrients as they apply to our dogs. (This will be a fairly brief overview to make sure everyone is on the same page)
The role of nutrition in canine behaviour Looking at the impact of macronutrients and micronutrients on neurotransmitter production, blood glucose, gut and thyroid health and how they impact behaviour. How inflammation and antioxidants impact behaviour. Understanding pre- and probiotics and their connection to behaviour.
Understanding commercial pet food labels Understanding labelling rules and terminology Understanding the ingredients panel What to look for and what to avoid when selecting a kibble product Understanding the guaranteed analysis How to calculate carbohydrate content How to convert ‘as fed’ to ‘dry matter’ How to compare wet and dry foods
Raw food feeding Why feed raw and the different raw food diets. The risks of raw feeding. The question of plants in a raw food diet How to calculate how many calories to feed. How to calculate the amount to feed. How to transition to raw Calculating supplement amounts
Allergies (If there is time)
About Narelle: Narelle Cooke works as a research scientist whilst also operating her own private practice as a clinical Naturopath, Nutritionist and Herbalist in Sydney, Australia. Narelle has over 20 years of education and training in various areas of health and nutrition and is passionate about supporting the wellbeing of both people and dogs.
Glenn Cooke Sunday September 20,2020 9am-5pm
Glenn will be diving into the topic of aggression. How to classify it, manage, treat and stay safe when working with an aggressive dog. Topics will include: Body Language & Social systems Genetics vs learned behaviors How to interpret body signals & classifications of aggression Frustration, arousal & conflict Behavior modification & management Working with reactive dogs Temperment Testing
About Glenn: Glenn Cooke, has been successfully training people and their dogs for more than 28 years. His expertise ranges from running and managing large training facilities, through to serving on boards in the pet and training industry and co-hosting one of the world’s most successful training podcasts. Over the expanse of his career, Glenn has learned that to achieve the best and most reliable results, emphasis should always be placed on training the handlers of the dogs first. Once an owner is both comfortable and confident with what needs to be done, the dog will be a willing and enthusiastic participant as it enhances the ability to communicate effectively. Glenn places great importance on the bond between handler and dog and for that reason, uses enjoyable and highly motivating techniques when training. This approach ensures that both dog and owner are happy and that long-term success is achieved. Glenn currently oversees two of Sydney’s premier dog boarding and training facilities (Pet Resorts Australia), located in Dural and Terrigal, and has a long-standing career in the professional pet care and training industry. Some of Glenn’s roles include, trial judging for nose works, aggression management, puppy raising and development, socialisation and environmental conditioning, temperament assessment, advanced obedience, film and television, behavioural problem solving, and the advanced training of working dogs. Glenn is also regularly called on as an expert consultant in court hearings for problematic dogs.Using common sense techniques Glenn is able to quickly target and correct problem behaviours in dogs such as destructive chewing, digging, barking, jumping up and people and/or animal aggression. He is also experienced in desensitising dogs to fears and anxieties that may result from many conditions during the dog’s upbringing. Glenn has formal qualifications in Dog Behaviour and Assessment, has a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and is an active member of the National Dog Trainers Federation – a representative and educational organisation for the dog training industry, which has now become the national representative body in Australia for dog trainers from all fields. As part of his role with the NDTF, Glenn trains and lectures to students for the qualification of ‘Certificate III: in professional Dog Training and Behaviour’, and has assisted in training over a thousand students in this role Glenn has an active belief that trainers should always be upskilling their knowledge and always learning what’s new and what’s possible. It’s not enough to do one training style under one person and call it complete. Training dogs is a serious profession that requires trainers to have up to date knowledge in behaviour and modern methodologies.
About this Seminar: Location: TBA (Southern to Mid Coast Maine) Cost: $325/2 days OR $175/per day
This is a HUMAN only seminar . Dogs may be crated in your car We will serve a range of beverages and snacks. Lunch will not be provided, however we will have a list of restaurants local to the area
Ashley Sculac Canine Resistance Training Fall of 2020
The CRT program is a customized strength and conditioning program available for all dogs, regardless of sport, age, or breed. It is an multifaceted modality of training that is a vital component to any dog and will provide not only health and physical benefits, but also betterment in mental health. The program is multi-phased, uncomplicated, and yet comprehensive. Each phase contains a highlighted focus. It is broken down and simplified into a process that is easy and SAFE to integrate into any dog's training and life routine. Whether your dog is heavily involved in sports and you are looking for a unique cross training program, or you are simply looking for a way to prevent injuries, CRT can help. If you have aspirations to compete and do it safely while maintaining your dog's integrity and physical well-being, CRT will properly build your dog up slowly to give you longevity and a beautiful relationship in the process. Many dogs can benefit greatly with the use of CRT woven into their daily lives because it provides biological fulfillment, mental confidence, and is a great team building exercise!
This foundational day long workshop will have a highlighted focus around duration effort and in truth, is the essential core of resistance training. It will cover topics such as proper equipment, emphasizes safety and the concepts of resistance, as well as acclimation processes and protocols. Beginning any resistance work can be overwhelming, therefore we have collaborated with specialists to break it down into a simple, easy, and SAFE way to get started. You will learn the concepts and theory behind the idea of resistance training, what equipment you need to get started
When: Fall 2020 Working spots: $150 each (Max of 8) All dogs must be at least a year or structurally mature with general good health. Audit Spots: $90 each (Unlimited) Location : TBA
Seminar will include snacks,coffee and other beverages. Lunch will not be provided
About Ashley: I have been working with dogs for quite a few years now, and have had many excellent mentors along the way. The most influential of them being, Jay Jack of Next Level Dogs and the founder of GRC DogSports. I credit him for igniting the flame, creating the spark so to speak.... and getting me to dive head first into my passion of weight pull and resistance training. I knew my journey into weight pull was going to be somewhat different. I don't have a genetically gifted or well bred dog specifically for the sport. I ended up adopting Mya ( pictured above) from a rescue when she was only 12 weeks of age. I ended up with the furthest thing from a "well bred" dog. If you would like to know more about Mya's story (as it is somewhat lengthy)--- be sure to check out the "mission" page! Plagued with orthopedic problems and behavioral issues--- I had no choice but to figure out a way to help her become the best version of herself and combat the progressive disease she would have to endure as she continued through life. Through consistent training, she and I were able to compete in the sport of competitive weight pull, and we even started a weight pull club in which I was able to help teach and coach many dogs into the sport as well! We have worked tirelessly with physical therapists, veterinarians, orthopedic surgeons, and trainers to help her accomplish and achieve so much! Through that process, I continued to fall in love with resistance training and what it could offer to dogs like her. When I am not working with dogs and training, I am a seasoned critical care nurse and a Professor at the University of New England. Because of my day jobs, I have been able to view resistance training through a different lense. I collaborated with the therapists that have helped Mya and I become successful, and CRT was born!
Seminar Policies
Payments Checks made out to "MDTC LLC" and mailed to: Teri Robinson MDTC Seminars 425 High St Bath ME 04530
Refunds FULL PAYMENT is needed to hold your spot, with a reasonable date for cancellations to be determined in your confirmation e-mail. There will be an administration fee for cancellations made after a specific date. It is the attendees responsibility to read their confirmation e-mail carefully.
Filming Filming is only allowed at the permission of the seminar presenter.
Other Information Attendees are responsible for bringing their own chairs. To keep our costs low, we will offer coffee, water and light snacks. Each seminar will have lunch options which will be noted in your confirmation e-mail
Where to Stay Maine is extremely dog friendly. Many accommodations allow dogs. There are off leash parks in almost every town . Google is your friend but we are always here to help. Just e-mail us! AirBNB
Dog Friendly accommodations in Saco Hampton Inn 48 Industrial Park Rd, Saco, ME 04072 (207) 282-7222 Dog friendly accomodations in Portland Fireside Inn 81 Riverside St, Portland, ME 04103 (207) 774-5601
Hilton Garden Inn 65 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101 (207) 780-0780
Dog Friendly accomodations in Topsham/Brunswick area
Best Western Plus Brunswick Bath 71 Gurnet Rd, Brunswick, ME 04011 (207) 725-5251
The Daniel 10 Water St, Brunswick, ME 04011 (207) 373-1824
Econo Lodge (Freeport) 537 US-1, Freeport, ME 04032 (207) 865-3777
