Conference Puppy? You are not alone.

If you are reading this Blog then you have either registered or are considering registering for this year's APDT Conference.  Perhaps you are really excited about the speakers and the topics that they will be covering, but you have never been are nervous about jumping with both feet into this large group of dog training fanatics.  Can I keep up with the material?  Which seminars will be most valuable to me?  Will I find somebody with whom to eat meals and explore Louisville?

These questions are all going through my mind on the eve of my first APDT Conference.  I do not personally know any of the other trainers attending this year and therefore can only count on a similar passion for dog training and behavior to lay the foundation for new friendships with other attendees.

Remember that everyone is attending for the same reasons: to learn (not only from speakers from connecting with other attendees), to make friends and to re-energize our careers.

Marni Edlehart

APDT Conference Committee

Great News!

The Galt House has extended the APDT Conference hotel room rates until Wednesday, September 24th.

If you haven't made your hotel reservations yet you can still take advantage of these great rates by calling the Galt House at 1 800 843-4258 and ask for the APDT Conference rates.

DVD Networking

Let the networking begin!

You arrive at the Galt House on Tuesday,  After you check into the hotel, head over to the Conference registration on the 2nd floor and pick up your tote bag and workbook.  Now is the time to reconnect with old friends and meet some new ones.

We'll have a cash bar and a video player set up.  You bring a DVD of your dog doing something funny or bad.  Or show off a great agility run, freestyle routine, puppies playing or a great game from your classes.  We are here to learn about dogs and to network with other trainers.  What better way to start off your conference experience than to meet up with fellow trainers, enjoy some videos of dogs and share a few laughs.

DVD Networking will be held Tuesday, October 14 from 5:00-7:00 PM

Hotel Conference Rates End Tomorrow

You still have a chance to save on your Conference hotel room.  The Galt House and Suites will honor the  special APDT Conference rates through midnight, tomorrow, September 17.  Rates will rise after that, so don't miss out on this savings.  

Contact the Galt House today to reserve your room.

New Speaker: Colleen Pelar, CPDT, CDBC

Sarah Whitehead is unable to speak at this year's Conference. We are pleased to announce that  APDT member and author of Living With Kids and Dogs, Colleen Pelar CPDT, CDBC will lecture in her place.

Colleen will offer Dog Trainers in School and the Library on Saturday, October 18, 3:30-5:00 PM.  If you've been hesitant to do outreach programs Colleen will show you how you as a dog trainer can develop a bigger presence in the community.  She will also share her lesson plans.

On Sunday, October 19, 9:00-10:30 AM, Colleen will share Six Things Parents Need to Know ... That Only Dog Trainers Can Teach Them.  She will show you how you can help parents develop safe and healthy interactions between their kids and dogs.

Exibitor: Cloud Star

Cloud Star believes that training treats do not need to be pumped full of artificial colors, flavors and all those other ingredients that you can't pronounce!  Come visit our booth to learn more and take advantage of some great deals.  It is possible to have a treat for dogs that eliminates common allergens in the formulations and is all natural.  All this and dogs love our treats.  We have something for even the most finicky pooch.

How are Cloud Star products different than others?  It's the ingredients.  We don't sacrifice affordability by using top quality ingredients.  We strive to provide a great retail value for the consumer.

Cloud Star is committed to giving!  As par of Cloud Star's commitment to giving back we have pledged to donate at least 10% of our net profits to non-profit organizations that benefit animals, women, children and the environment.  We feel that good business should include doing good things for others.  To learn more and fid out how you can help, visit with in the Exhibit Hall.  See you there!

Make Your Hotel Reservations by September 17

Make your hotel reservations by September 17 to get the APDT Conference rates.

Galt House Hotel and Suites

140 North Foruth Street

Louisville, KY 40202

(502) 589-5200

The APDT Conference meetings, except the field study and the three workshops, are all at the Galt House Hotel and Suites.

To reserve your room, call the hotel directly at (800) 843-4258.  To ensure an APDT special rate you must do two things: mention the APDT when you make the reservation and make your reservation before September 17, 2008.  All rooms and rates are  subject to availability.

Author Signing

As we have in years past, Dogwise is hosting the Author Signing event at the Conference on Saturday from noon - 1:30 PM in the Exhibit Hall.  It's always a thrill for us to meet the authors and we think you'll get a kick out of it too!  While we can't tell you exactly who will be there to sign, most of the author/speakers make a big effort to be at the signing table.  You can expect to see people like Ian Dunbar, Sophia Yin and Suzanne Clothier to name a few.

If you've never been to an Author Signing here's how it works:  you can bring a book you already own and get it signed; you can purchase a book at the Conference and get it signed for yourself or a friend; or you can get a "bookplate" which Dogwise provides at no charge, get it signed and put it in a book you have at home.

Exhibitor: PetSafe

Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, PetSafe is the industry leader and prime innovator in the development of safe, reliable and technologically advanced pet management solutions.  Products include an new GPS tracking system, containment systems, bark control systems, pet doors and a growing line of lifestyle products.

The latest additions to our family of spray products include a new Little Dog Spray Bark (smallest on the market) and a new Motion Spray Deterrent that will keep pets away from off-limit areas.  Don't miss the premier of these two new products at the APDT show!

From the APDT Founder

Dr. Ian Dunbar

The Louisville Conference is fast approaching - time to make new friends, to reconnect with long-time friends, and to top up the brain with doggy knowledge.  The Keynote Address will be given by a good friend of mine, equine veterinarian and cartoonist, Dr. Robert Miller.  Dr. Miller pioneered work on early (24-48 hour-old) socialization of foals - puppy training for horses - and he co-founded the Sierra Veterinary Medical Association for veterinarians (me included) who like to learn veterinary science while skiing.  

Dr. Miller is followed by a veritable pack of stellar speakers - simply the best of the best and far too good to miss.  And also, we get to play for a day!  Make sure you don't miss the APDT Play Symposium: "Play in Our Dogs' Lives".  See you all there.

Ian Dunbar

Field Study and Workshops

The Louisville Zoo Field Study and the Workshops are closed.  If you are interested in being placed on a "wait list" for any of these events, please send an email to APDT@details2.com.

Put "wait list" in the subject line of your email.

You must be registered for the day of the event.

Give us your name, the event you want to be wait listed for and a cell phone number that we can reach you on-site at the Conference.

If space becomes available we will contact people in the order they were placed on the wait list.

We will email you if the availability occurs before the Conference begins.  If spaces become available during the Conference, we will contact you by cell phone.

Early Bird Registration Extended!

Due to the Labor Day holiday on September 1st, Early Bird Registration has been extended.  You may register for the Conference and receive the Early Bird price through midnight PST, Tuesday, September 2nd.

Don't miss out on this chance to save on your Conference fees.  You can register on line or call the Conference office toll free at 1 866 570-9967. 

2009 Call for Speakers

If you've been to the APDT Conference you've been fortunate to hear talks from some of the best trainers and animal behaviorists.  We are already searching for great speakers for the 2009 Oakland Conference.

If you think that you have a great idea for a presentation at next year's Conference, click here to see the Call for Speakers.  You'll find all the information to submit a proposal.  The deadline is September 9, 2008

New to the Conference Blog?

Is this your first visit to the APDT Conference Blog? If so, welcome. We hope you will stop by many times in the next few weeks as we get closer to the Conference in Louisville.

We will be updating the blog several times each week to bring you information about events at the Conference, speaker and session information, local attractions and any breaking news.

Check out older posts by clicking on posts in the BLOG ARCHIVE in the sidebar on the right side. You can also sort post by their LABELS. For example, if you click on "Workshop "under labels you will pull up all the posts about our off site workshops.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Louisville and don't forget that Early Bird Registration ends September 1.

Do You Have a Great Business Card or Brochure?

Most Outstanding Business Card 2007

The Best Brochure 2007

Every year we sponsor two contests, the Most Outstanding Business Card and The Best Brochure. You are invited to submit entrees to each contest.

Bring your cards and brochures to the conference.

Visit the Exhibit Hall and find the contest display.

Post your card and brochure on the appropriate display board.

The winning brochure and card will be selected on Saturday at 3:00 PM.

Winners will be announced in the Sunday edition of the Conference Tails newsletter.

The winning entry for each contest will receive a CD set for the 2008 Conference. (If you are a winner and you have already purchased the CD, will will refund the purchase price). This prize is presented by Digitell, the producers of the CD.

Exhbitor: J & J

Family owned and operated, J&J has been selling fine quality dog training equipment by catalog mail order since it was founded in 1965.  Since that time we have also grown to become the preferred online equipment supplier serving both domestic and international markets.  The success of our business has be based on two principles: professional quality products and prompt service (most of our orders ship the same day we receive them).

We are the preferred supplier of training equipment used by hundreds of dog training clubs, schools and kennels and by thousands of individual trainers.  We also manufacture many of the products we sell, giving us control over the quality of the materials and craftsmanship.  Over 40 years in business and our continued growth allows you to buy with complete confidence knowing that J7J will be here to stand behind our products and serve you in the future.

Though our full booth will not be available at this event, we invite you to stop by our informational display at the Conference to say hello and to pick up a copy of our current catalog

Workshop

Teaching Kids Dog Training

Allan Bauman

Working with families and their dogs can be a challenge.  Take the family dog, mix in 2.2 children, stir in boundless energy and a pinch of short attention span and you will inherit the whirlwind that is the child/dog dynamic.  How does a trainer tame and teach that tricky combination?  Fear not!  The teaching Kids Dog Training Workshop with Allan Bauman in just the thing to impart tips and tricks to help make teaching children to teach their family dog all fun and games -for the kids, the dog and you.

The workshop pairs eight children and dogs of varying ages and levels of training and with Allan directing the pairs using tried and true and, most importantly, fun techniques.  The varying ages and experiences of the children will allow you to see how the exercises can be effective and applicable to all ages.  The exercises are focused on the children doing the actual training of the dog by properly controlling the reward.  Take this opportunity to view training exercises that are easy and fun for children and dogs alike.

If you conduct classes with many family members attending, you will appreciate the powerful ideas and tools and incorporate them into you own training classes.  The exercises are from Allan's book and DVD Games and Rhymes-Dog Training for Children.

Teaching Kids Dog Training will be presented on Saturday, October 18 from 1:30-5:30 PM.  The workshop is limited to 50 observers so register early.  Transportation will be provided from the host hotel to the workshop site.

Don't Miss Out!

Early Bird  Conference Registration ends on September 1, 2008.  Don't miss out on discounted Conference fees.  

If you haven't registered yet click here for online registration or to print out the registration form.  If you have registration questions please contact the Conference office at adpt@details2.com or call the toll free number at 1 (866) 570-9967.

Sponsor: Premier

One more great reason to look forward to the APDT Conference!

Premier Pet Products is excited to host a special playroom this year.  Be sure to visit Premier's Playbow Place on Friday, October 17th located near Premier's booth in the Exhibit Hall.  Premier will offer a variety of fun and informative activities throughout the day including :

Product demonstrations

Hands-on fitting sessions

Rally-O demos with Janet Velenovsky, CPDT

Networking opportunities

Drawings to win fun, new products and more!

Missing your furry friends from home?  Don't miss the "Fur Fix", the Playbow Place finale, for the chance to pet and visit with some wonderful local therapy pups from WAGS Pet Therapy of KY!  WAGS was founded in 1998 and has approximately 120 members visiting 45 facilities, donating over 5000 hours per year in the Louisville area.

Premier is committed to developing products that improve the relationship between you and your pet.  From behavior and training tools, fun, enrichment toys to delicious treats, we have you and your dog's best interests at heart.

Make Premier's booth your first stop in the Exhibit Hall and join us for some fun!

So You Want to Be a Border Collie?

Great!  We will need lots of Border Collies, or guide dogs, or terriers (you get the idea) with lots of energy that needs to be burnt off.

Border Collies are the back bone that helps the Conference run smoothly.  It is the opportunity to meet lots of new people, form new friendships and get the satisfaction of a job well done.

We need people to volunteer to help at the doors checking name badges, answering questions, herding folks to their seats and helping during breaks.  Planning on going to the zoo or one of the other off-site sessions?  We'll need your help there too.

There are wonderful perks in being a BC.  The fun of all of the above, a free Conference T-shirt and the opportunity to apply for a staff position at the next Conference!  Who knows what random rewards we may intermittently toss you?

If this sounds like a good time, please send an email to adpt@details2.com.  Include your name, address, phone, email and when you will be arriving at the conference.  Feel free to let us know why you would like to be a Border Collie.  Conference Puppies are welcome too!

Submitted by Rebecca Ramsey-Fenton