Dog Training Seminar Hosted By Prairie Dog Pet Mercantile

As part of it's commitment to enriching this community and deepening it's knowledge of pet training and handling techniques, Prairie Dog Pet Mercantile is proud to host world renowned Dog Trainer, Suzanne Clothier June 7-9 in Spokane, WA, with three days of seminars!

FRIDAY, June 7: PERMISSION, NOT PERMISSIVE (5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
Doors open at 5:00 p.m.

Building a relationship with a dog sounds on paper: be positive, generously reward the behavior you want, communicate clearly and consistently. But in reality, that can be a challenge. Should you never say NO? Do you just allow a dog to be a dog and do as they please? How do you set appropriate boundaries while helping your dog feel safe and trusting?

The Relationship Centered Training (RCT)™ approach helps handlers understand that when clear permission is included in all communications, that clarity helps eliminate confusion and conflict. This evening workshop is an exploration of how you can provide your dog with important information of permission, and how to do so without being permissive or without having to deprive your dog of activities they enjoy.

Explicit permission involves deliberate signals that the dog can hear, feel, see. This may be verbal cues, visual cues, even touch cues. This may also be your entire body language and actions. For example, when I say “Go say hi” I often drop my head briefly, extend an arm or hand towards the person/animal to be greeted, and step towards them myself along with my dog. This makes my message “go say hi” crystal clear to the dog. And it is very different from the full body message of “no, sorry, not now” that I may give in another situation.

When permission is implicit – meaning it’s not actually stated – the dog understandably can become confused. Worse, the dog can end up thinking he can do what he likes without needing to check with you.

When you give explicit permission, you gain a great deal:

• Clarity for both you and the dog about what is intended and permitted
• Control over behavior, especially behavior driven by strong motivations
• Encourage cooperation
• Enhanced awareness of what matters to your dog

Enjoy an evening with Suzanne and one of the core concepts of RCT to help you develop a deeper understanding of your dog and your relationship.

SAVE $$ when you make it a full weekend. Join us for another great event on Saturday & Sunday with Suzanne.

SATURDAY, June 8: FROM CONFUSED TO CONNECTED (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Doors open at 8:00 a.m. - Coffee and light snacks available
*There will be a 90-minute break for lunch from approximately Noon to 1:30 p.m.
*Lunch not provided, but we will supply a list of places to eat nearby!

The wonderful moment in a life shared with dogs occur when we can see that things are “just right” for our dog. Like Goldilocks sliding into a bed that’s not too soft, not too hard, we are glad when we see our dogs are enjoying life, able to learn, comfortable in the moment, and connected with us.

But those “just right” moments can be hard to find at times.

What do you and your struggle with? Is your dog a growing pup, an annoying adolescent, a recent rescue? Or maybe you are working on specific issues. This seminar is for you! Suzanne can help, even if your dog is:

• A shy Sally
• A loony Lacy
• A reactive Rex
• A worried Wally
• A fearful Fluffy

Whatever your experience – first time owner or long-time professional - Suzanne will give you new ways to observe and assess, as well as sensible solutions and practical information to help you and your dog create more of the “just right” moments.

Do we need different training equipment? Better treats? A new instructor? New techniques? Should we train more, or maybe less? Why is our dog still struggling even after so many classes? Will she grow out of it, or do we have a problem that needs help? Is it something we’re doing?

Most of all, what we want to know how to help our dogs when things are not “just right.”

Suzanne Clothier’s RCT approach has helped dogs and handlers around the world with her humane and effective techniques. With her guidance, you will learn to channel your inner Goldilocks to learn what is too much or too little, what it look and feels like when things are “just right.”

Suzanne’s co-instructors will be selected demo dogs. Depending on the dogs, we’ll be diving into:

• The Think & Learn Zone
• Thrills or Chills? Helping Shy, Fearful, Anxious or Reactive Dogs
• Is It Me? Handler Habits & Communication
• Triggers & Thresholds
• If/Then Training – Mapping the Solutions

Join us for a fascinating day of learning from an internationally respected trainer. Suzanne’s work is grounded in science, balanced with heart and humor, and reflects a lifetime with animals. (We promise there will be no porridge, hot or cold or otherwise. Also, no bears.)

SUNDAY, June 9th: Can You Hear Me Now? Understanding What Your Dog Can Tell You (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Doors open at 8:30 a.m. - Coffee and light snacks available
*There will be a 60-minute break for lunch from approximately Noon to 1:00 p.m.
*Lunch not provided, but we will supply a list of places to eat nearby!

One of the best things about dogs is how hard they try to communicate with us. They use their eyes, their bodies, even their voice, and of course, those amazing tails!

We can trust our dogs to tell us the truth about how they are feeling in any moment, and that is an incredible gift in any relationship.

But did you ever wonder if maybe you’re not quite getting the message? Or if you’ve misunderstood your dog? Or perhaps you just want to learn more, more, more! This seminar is taught by internationally respected trainer Suzanne Clothier, whose approach that encompasses the whole dog – physical, mental and emotional.

Strange but true that a lot of what we think is bad behavior is actually communication.

Do any of these common behaviors ring a bell?

• Jumping up
• Barking
• Ducking away
• Not working with us unless they see the treat or toy
• Shutting down
• Refusing to cooperate
• Pulling on leash

This seminar will focus on understanding new ways to understand what our dogs are communicating to us. Using selected demo dogs, Suzanne will cover:

• The Elemental Questions
• Why? When? How? Who? Understanding Behavior & Training Challenges
• Observation Skills
• The Geometry of Body Language
• What Movement & Posture Can Tell Us

Join us for a fascinating day of learning from a trainer whose observation skills are legendary. The late veterinary behaviorist, Dr R.K. Anderson called her, “One of the best observer of dogs I’ve ever seen.” Suzanne’s easy and humorous teaching style will open your eyes to what each dog can tell you, when you know how to see and listen.

TICKET PACKAGES AND PRICING:

Just like our favorite dog breeds come in all shapes and sizes, so do our ticket package options!  Whether you're looking for a pint-sized package to serve as an introduction, or you want all the perks, we've got a package that covers it! Plus, all ticket packages include coffee, tea and light snacks for the event!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For more details on seminar content and ticket packages available, visit pdogpet.com. Ready to buy? Use the "Buy Tickets" link above! For more information on how to submit your dog to be a case history, email woof@pdogpet.com. 

REFUND POLICY:

All cancellations are subject to a processing fee of 10% of the total ticket price. Paid tickets may be transferred to another person at any point prior to the event without a fee. For more information or to notify Prairie Dog Pet Mercantile of cancellation, email woof@pdogpet.com.

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