Essentials of Modern Dog Training with Forrest Micke and Dr. Stewart Hilliard

Description

Essentials of Modern Dog Training

3 Days w/ Forrest Micke and Dr. Stewart Hilliard

Join us for three days of in-depth conversation and hands-on training with Forrest Micke and Dr. Stewart Hilliard. This event focuses on key aspects of modern dog training, including the application of functionally-defined aversive control. It is open to trainers working with both companion and working dogs.

Event Details:

• Dates: May 16-18, 2025, 9-5pm.
• Location: Opportunity Barks, 2590 Schukraft Rd, Building 2, Quakertown, PA 18951

Program Overview:
This immersive course includes lectures, demonstrations, and practical exercises. Dr. Stewart Hilliard’s lectures will provide concise, focused insights into topics such as:

1. Pavlovian Conditioning: Key mechanisms and their relevance in dog training.
2. Instrumental Conditioning: Essentials and practical applications.
3. The Contingency Square: A deeper understanding for effective training.
4. Misbehavior Dynamics: How Pavlovian-Instrumental interactions affect training outcomes.
5. Aversive Control: Distinguishing between aversive stimuli and functionally-defined aversive control.
6. Reinforcement and Punishment: Mechanisms of positive punishment and negative reinforcement.
7. Signaling: The role of secondary reinforcers and punishers.
8. Dog Welfare: Addressing stressors, predictability, controllability, and learned helplessness.
9. Training Methodology: Incorporating agency, accountability, and practical theory (with a humorous nod to the role of plentiful profanity).

Registration Information:

Handler-Dog Team (8 spots available):

• Early Registration (by April 15, 2025): $600
• Regular Registration (after April 15, 2025): $700

Auditor (Observer, 30 spots available):

• Early Registration (by April 15, 2025): $400
• Regular Registration (after April 15, 2025): $500

Important Notes:

• Tickets are non-refundable after April 1, 2025.
• Working Spot Application:
  To apply for a handler-dog team spot, submit a 1-2 minute video showcasing you and your dog working in an unfamiliar, busy indoor environment. Your video should highlight your dog’s interactions with food rewards and/or a couple different types of toy rewards. Send the video and your request to Forrest Micke at Forrestmicke@gmail.com.

If you need assistance sending your video, contact Forrest for guidance. Upon approval, you’ll receive a link to purchase a handler-dog team ticket.

Date & Time

May 16, 2025 9:00 AM - May 18, 2025 5:00 PM

Venue Details

Opportunity Barks

2590 Schukraft Road
Quakertown, Pennsylvania 18951

ForrestMicke