Jump to content

Apdt Conference

corvus
 Share

Recommended Posts

alpha bet

alpha bet

Posted
Posted

Went to APDT conference in 2008 and 2009. Found some of the speakers a real letdown and some that I hadn't known anything about to be brilliant. Conference had probably 400 participants or so in 2008 and about 300 in 2009. With accommodation, conference fee and travel it probably cost me about $1000 for three days on each conference. So I might have been expecting too much.

Roger Abrantes (Danish) spoke in 2009 he is an ethologist - absolutely brilliant sessions on animal behaviour.

The APDT had brought out an American for 2009 who was a 'specialist in dog aggression' she was damm useless and didn't have anything constructive and just kept talking about different dogs she had in class and was very critical about the handlers. I was really disappointed as I was really hoping to hear about some good methods.

In 2010 I decided to put the money into a trip to the USA for a IACPT Conference in Texas. I was there for a week and had four days at the conference with about 10 speakers covering many different aspect from Marketing, Rescue Centres, Dog Parks and Autistic Kids and Dogs. There were also demonstrations with Long Lines, E-Collars, Trick/Movie Work.

There were about 180 participants from all over the United Sttes and they were incredibly friendly and willing to sit and chat about different techniques which was really refreshing. I had a great time and am already saving to go back to the USA next year and will be incorporating visits to some different training schools in LA and perhaps visit some of the Service Dog Training Centres.

So as a conclusion - go to any conference with an open mind - just don't try to have too big an expectation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
corvus

corvus

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I have a book by Roger Abrantes. He is very methodical about communication. It is much appreciated. And he really knows what he is talking about, naturally.

I'm looking forward to Ken Ramirez. I think he will be good. At any rate, Patricia McConnell was raving about him on her blog recently and I'm a huge McConnell fan. I love hearing from trainers that train animals other than dogs. They often have some great insights. Steve White also strikes me as someone potentially very helpful.

I like conferences for the chance to talk to other conference participants as much as for the speakers themselves. Sometimes you get tougher crowds that are harder to strike up conversations with, though. I used to love bat conferences best. They are the easiest folks to talk with. Texans are a friendly bunch, too. :laugh:

This year's APDT conference has a behind the scenes zoo trip option that sounds fun. I'm going to go and hope that OH forgives me for going without him. :laugh: This one's not a big deal for me as it's local, but if I go to see Ms McConnell a few weeks later it will be a fair bit more costly. Still have to decide if I can afford that one. :eek:

Anyone else planning to go?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Erny

Erny

Posted
Posted (edited)

I was refused Membership renewal by APDT two or three years ago because I publicly campaigned for a change in our Victorian laws to permit us to use (with conditions/restrictions) PPCollars, and because I support the very good use of the e-collar (of course, these things are not exclusive to the fact that I also very strongly support motivational training and positive reinforcement). From memory, I think they changed their rules around the same time so as to preclude anyone who was not a member from attending their conferences. That being the case, I am not permitted to go.

Edited by Erny
Link to comment
Share on other sites
corvus

corvus

Posted
  • Author
Posted

They have member prices and non-member prices, so one would assume you are welcome to attend. :rofl: I'm not a member and am going. Mind you, I get member prices for being a vet student (kinda).

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Erny

Erny

Posted
Posted (edited)
They have member prices and non-member prices, so one would assume you are welcome to attend. :rofl: I'm not a member and am going. Mind you, I get member prices for being a vet student (kinda).

Perhaps they only changed it that one year and reverted, or perhaps the information I was given was incorrect. Doubt that I'd go now, given their attitude towards me. It would need to be something super super special ...... like Ivan Balabanov or someone :rofl:. No, I don't really mean that. There are some times when there are some really good presenters there and I mean them no offence.

Edited by Erny
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Erny

Erny

Posted
Posted
Haha, maybe they told you the wrong info in the hopes you would not show. :( Politics really brings out the worst in people sometimes.

No I don't think so.

But you're right. Politics does bring out the worst. IMO, politics shouldn't form a part of dogs, their training and their welfare. Pity that it always manages to creep its way in with some organisations.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
m-j

m-j

Posted
Posted

I would love to go I'm interested in what Steve has to say about scent work. That is one area (apart from tracking) you don't get many seminars on, that I'm aware of.

cheers

M-J

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Erny

Erny

Posted
Posted (edited)
All organisations, I would say. :rainbowbridge:

As far as I can think, I don't believe NDTF have any politics which actually affect dogs, dog training, dog-welfare. But they are the only ones I can think of that don't.

Edited by Erny
Link to comment
Share on other sites
corvus

corvus

Posted
  • Author
Posted

NDTF has politics according to everyone who is deliberately not a member of NDTF.

M-J, I think Steve will be quite good. :laugh: I've always wanted to hear Peta Clarke talk, mostly because her bio photo has a quoll in it. :confused: I think her talk on emotions in animals will be interesting, though. There are some whisperings about the inadequacy of operant conditioning to explain all behaviour, but people are still a bit scared of talking about animal emotions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
melzawelza

melzawelza

Posted
Posted

Peta Clark is amazing - I did a two day basic animal training course with her through Richmond tafe about 2 years ago, and her knowledge and presentation style is absolutely fantastic. She was very inspiring.

I wont be going to the conference as I can't afford it (spent 6 grand all up last financial year on self education) and because i don't want any of my hard earned cash going to a group that has been lobbying the government to ban PP collars and remote trainers

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Erny

Erny

Posted
Posted
NDTF has politics according to everyone who is deliberately not a member of NDTF.

Ok - perhaps I'm being blind to them. What would those politics be? To my knowledge they don't preclude people, treat them differently for their beliefs in dog training, etc. etc. So, got any examples?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Erny

Erny

Posted
Posted
On another forum I am on they were discussing NDTF and it appears there are some politics. Not surrounding training methods as far as I know, but other stuff.

"Other stuff", if it isn't in relation to dog training, then I'm not so concerned.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
corvus

corvus

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I do not think it's responsible or fair to spread unnecessary rumour and hearsay (or discussions had in confidence, for that matter) on a public forum. Besides which, it's pointless in this case. And probably against forum rules, for that matter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...