We’ve compiled the Best Dog Conferences for you to attend in 2018 and beyond because we’ve done that every year (2017, 2016, 2015). Explore science topics, learn better training skills, concentrate on motivation or the human-animal bond. It’s all here. Let’s go!
Conferences are listed in chronological order due to the author’s inability to decide which should be first.
1. ClickerExpo
ClickerExpo will be held in 3 locations throughout 2018. This year ClickerExpos have slightly different labs and workshops depending on the location.
Irvine, CA
When: Friday, January 19-21, 2018
Where: Irvine, CA
Why: Educational Themes are back for 2018. Themes are labs and presentations focusing on a certain concentration. Themes include: Trainer Skill Development, Teaching People, Aggression and General Behavior Management, and Veterinary Environments. Feel free to follow a single theme or skip around and explore a variety of topics. There’s something for everyone! CCPDT, IAABC, and KPA Continuing Education Units are available for professionals attending this event.
More Information: https://clickertraining.com/clickerexpo/2018/socal/register
St. Louis, MO
When: Friday, March 16-18, 2018
Where: St. Louis, MO
Why: Educational Themes are back for 2018. Themes are labs and presentations focusing on a certain concentration. Themes include: Trainer Skill Development, Teaching People, Aggression and General Behavior Management, and Veterinary Environments. Feel free to follow a single theme or skip around and explore a variety of topics. There’s something for everyone! CCPDT, IAABC, and KPA Continuing Education Units are available for professionals attending this event.
More Information: https://clickertraining.com/clickerexpo/2018/stlouis/registration
United Kingdom
When: Friday, October 26-28, 2018
Where: Winchester, England
Why: Join Ken Ramirez, Kathy Sdao, Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D, and Michele Pouliot covering topics such as errors and choice in training.
More Information: https://clickertraining.com/clickerexpo/luminos
2. Animal Management Behavior Alliance (ABMA) Annual Conference
San Antonio, TX
When: Sunday, April 8-13, 2018
Where: San Antonio, TX
Why: The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) specializes in animal care and training through enrichment. This year’s theme is “History in the Making: The Future of Behavior Management and Its Role In Conservation”. Conference locations include the San Antonio Zoo and Sea World.
More Information: https://theabma.org/abma-annual-conference/
3. Canine Science Symposium
San Francisco, CA
When: Saturday, April 14-15, 2018
Where: San Francisco SPCA in San Francisco, CA
Why: Bringing together professors of Psychology, Anthrozoology, Behavioral Neuroscience, and Behavior Analysis, this symposium covers the science of welfare for shelter dogs, training, and canine aggression. Enjoy two days with some of the leading canine science minds with Julie Hecht, Monica Udell, Kathryn Lord, PhD, and Clive Wynne, PhD. CCPDT and IAABC Continuing Education Units are available for professionals attending this event.
More Information: http://events.sfspca.org/css2018
4. IAABC Animal Behavior Conferences
IAABC Conferences will be held in 2 locations throughout 2018.
Boston, MA
When: Thursday, April 19-22, 2018
Where: Burlington (Boston), MA
Why: The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants has creatively merged their multiple species Conferences into one event. Choose to follow the Dog, Cat, Parrot, Horse tracks or Business tracks, or pick and choose which presentations you’d like to join. The conference features speakers discussing the latest science, treatments, and protocols for managing and modifying behavior in all species. Some Continuing Education Units are available for professionals attending this event.
(Read about our experience at the 2015 IAABC Conference.)
More Information: http://iaabcconference.org/home/
United Kingdom
When: Saturday, May 22-23, 2018
Where: Manchester, England
Why: The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants UK conference concentrates on dogs and horses. Topics include aggression, client compliance, and presentations of case studies. The conference features speakers discussing the latest science, treatments, and protocols for managing and modifying behavior.
(Read about our experience at the 2015 IAABC Conference.)
More Information: https://iaabcconference.org/uk/
5. PennVet Working Dog Conference
Essington, PA
When: Friday, April 20-23, 2018
Where: Essington, PA
Why: You may have seen this conference’s DVD’s on TawzerDog. Did you know you could attend the Penn Vet Working Dog Conference? This year’s theme is “Creating the Working Dog: Puppy to Professional” with Patricia McConnell, PhD, CAAB as the keynote speaker discussing resilience in working dogs. Individual topics include breeding, health and nutrition, and training for reliability and confidence.
More Information: http://www.vet.upenn.edu/research/centers-initiatives/penn-vet-working-dog-center/working-dog-conference
6. PPG Training & Behavior Workshop
Kanab, UT
When: Sunday, April 22-26, 2018
Where: Kanab, UT
Why: Four days of lectures and hands-on clinics on the Location: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary campus. With industry experts in multiple species, sessions include stranger fear, relationship building, and husbandry skills.
More Information: https://petprofessionalguild.com/2018-Kanab
7. Fenzi Dog Sports Academy Training Camp
Wilmington, OH
When: Friday, June 1-3, 2018
Where: Wilmington, OH
Why: It’s back! The Ultimate Dog Sports Training Camp covers Obedience, Rally, Agility, Nosework, Freestyle, and Rally FrEe! Join 16 energizing dog sports goddesses for 3 days of fun and learning. Work on heeling, utilizing play to build motivation, clean cuing, and so much more. Priority registrations will be given to students that have previous enrollments in FDSA online courses.
More Information: https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/ipo-courses/8-fdsa/2436-ferretpalooza
8. International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) Conference
Sydney, Australia
When: Monday July 2-5, 2018
Where: Sydney, Australia
Why: The International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ) annual conference covers new and intriguing ideas in Human-Animal Interactions. This year’s theme is “Animals in Our Lives: Multidisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Human–Animal Interactions” The speakers and program for 2018 is pending, but topics include grief, shelter animals, and the ethics of animal use.
More Information: http://www.isaz2018.com/
9. The Emotional World of Dogs
Bensalem, PA
When: Saturday, July 7-8, 2018
Where: Bensalem, PA
or
Oakland, CA
When: Saturday, July 28-29, 2018
Where: Oakland, CA
Why: This is a Two-Day Seminar with Professor Daniel Mills, Lincoln University, United Kingdom presenting the latest research on dog cognition and emotion as well as how these findings can be applied in clinical practice. Topics include attachment, anxiety, dysfunctional relationships, separation disorders, and puppy development.
More Information for Bensalem, PA: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-emotional-world-of-dogs-new-insights-into-behavior-and-training-tickets-40718237344?aff=es2
More Information Oakland, CA: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-emotional-world-of-dogs-new-insights-into-behavior-and-training-tickets-40718438947?aff=es2
10. Clinical Animal Behavior Conference
Las Vegas, NV
When: Oct 5-7, 2018
Where: Las Vegas, NV
Why: The Clinical Animal Behavior Conference is a collaboration between AVSAB, SVBT, and AVBT, giving members and non-members the opportunity to learn about clinical behavior of multiple species. Topics include husbandry, development, and behavior modification for horses, cats, and dogs. The 2018 website isn’t available yet, but the Facebook event page below has details.
More Information: http://www.animalbehaviorconference.com/
and the Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/130096144343477/
Looking Ahead to 2019
Some of the best conferences and seminars fill within days of registration opening. Following these organizations on social media or signing up for newsletters will give you a heads up when registration opens.
