question about training seminars.

[Criosphynx]

So I signed up for my first training seminar. Iam very excited!

Nicole Wilde Seminar March 21st

I was wondering how these things usually go. Should I bring a notebook to take notes? Iam fine just listening, but I don't want to be the only one just sitting there!


I guess iam not really sure what else to ask. I like to be prepared for things and don't want to get there and have a "doh!" moment. Do they usually bring dogs out to demonstrate on? Or is in mostly lecture? I just want to know what to expect. Thanks

 

[Dekka]

Many people will have notebooks, or some way of making notes. Its a good idea so you can jot down things to remember later. I went to an Ian Dunbar seminar a while back.. there was so much info I am glad I wrote things down.

 

[Criosphynx]

Thanks!

I would LOVE to go to one held by dunbar.


I haven't been in school in about a decade, so Iam a bit out of practice at "formal" learning.

 

[lizzybeth727]

Yay for seminars! I haven't seen Nicole Wilde, but that does look like an interesting one.

Yeah, you'll definately need something to write on/with. Even if you don't need to take notes about what she's lecturing on, you will probably need to jot down topics or websites you want to look into further. You'll also make contacts - that's a VERY important aspect to going to seminars, the other professionals you'll meet that you might want to follow up with after the seminar. If you have them, you should bring business cards! I forget cards about 1/2 the time I go to seminars, but they're really very important. Some people bring their own chairs, folding camping chairs or whatever is easy to carry, and since this seminar is at a training facility, that might be a good idea; though I'm sure the facility will have chairs, it's just that you might want something more comfortable or whatever.

For this particular seminar, you probably won't see in-person demos. But I'm sure she'll show a lot of video. You'll probably want to bring some extra cash to buy books or DVDs, I'm sure Nicole will have lots of her stuff for sale (and I think she has some really interesting books out). Usually it'll be cheaper at seminars than online; often they do only take cash.

Have fun! Let us know how it went!

 

[Criosphynx]

oooh good point on the books! I didn't even think about that. I do want to purchase several of her books.


I was thinking of bringing a cushion for my boney rear. I have trouble sitting for long periods of time.

I guess iam a trainer in training, so I don't have bussiness cards yet. I think i'd be the one clamoring for other peoples cards!


Yeah, since I rescue fearful dogs I figured it was a good topic for me to learn more on. Her books came highly recommended by som'one I respect, then i noticed she is (sort of) local.

 

[Doberluv]

Good ideas there. I think notes are a must unless you have a mega memory. I sure don't. I think this sounds like a really neat seminar and priced very reasonably. I bet you'll get lots out of it. You'll have to report back to us how it all goes. Good luck.

 

[Criosphynx]

So I went this weekend

First off, food was great lol


Honestly, for me, it was mostly review, I guess I underestimated how much I knew on the subject...she covered TONS of info and I did learn a few tricks (mostly for if I ever have clients, or for products I hadn't tried) lots of the other attendees were taking TONS of notes, so Iam happy that others learned alot from it.

anyway, I bought som' of her books (on other subjects), I skimmed a bit and was impressed with them. She was a great speaker and it was a good experience...and I recommend others attend.



I signed up for a clicker seminar in May with Kathy Sdaou (sp?) the dolphin/dog trainer....Iam excited about it....less than 1/4th of the trainers at Nicole's seminar where clicker trainers.

 

[lizzybeth727]

Glad you enjoyed it! I've never been to a seminar where EVERYTHING is new, especially if you do a proper amount of research ahead of time. But it's worth going for the experience - meeting a great trainer in person, networking with other local trainers, etc.

I've seen Kathy Sdao a few times, she's an EXCELLENT speaker and has a lot of good information. She does EXTREMELY science-based clicker training, as in, she takes a lot of the emotion out of it.... when your dog fails, it's because you didn't cue right, click right, or reinforce right; not because of any social reasons ("my dog is dominant," "my dog is mad at me," etc.) or because you somehow failed him as a trainer. I mean, of course, there is a lot more detail than that, but that's the general attitude. And of course it's still a lot of fun for you and the dog. Are you bringing your dog?

 

[Criosphynx]

networking with other local trainers, etc.

unfortunately, I didn't meet anyone even remotely local to me, it seemed like everyone drove in from far away (as did I, about and hour and a half). Better luck next time I guess.

She does EXTREMELY science-based clicker training, as in, she takes a lot of the emotion out of it.... when your dog fails, it's because you didn't cue right, click right, or reinforce right; not because of any social reasons ("my dog is dominant," "my dog is mad at me," etc.) or because you somehow failed him as a trainer

LOL sounds like me, at least how I think in my head...I soften it a bit to help others, but that how I think at the core.

I was disapointed at the amount of clicker trainers at the seminar (less than 1/4 were) and aparently alot of the trainers there weren't familiar with it (which surprised me) so it seemed to me that nicole avoided refering to clickers after the couple times she did were met with confused questions.

. Are you bringing your dog?

It decided not to, it was much more expensive, plus I figured working on a strange dog/or just observing would teach me more. Its a three day seminar, and I only signed up for the last two days, as day one was all basic theory and I figured I'd be bored LOL