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Well ..... the “Take the GuessWork Out” Vic Tour 2008 (16th, 17th and 18th May) proved
to be a welcomed and successful event, going by the enthusiasm and comments of
those who attended either the one, two or all three Events!
The facilities at KCC Park were excellent and provided some
comfort from the inclement weather we experienced – especially on the Saturday,
when the temperature plummeted to an
unseasonal 7oC and comprised of LOTS of rain, with some sleet and
hail. Thankfully the grounds provide an
indoor area where, although still frigidly cold (and had us wistfully thinking
of our thermals that we didn’t think to wear on the day!), at least provided a
dry and for the most part sheltered area in which to run the workshop component
of the weekend.
Friday evening was held in the Park’s conference/meeting
rooms and the talks by Pro-K9 and K9 Force were supported by Power Point
presentations. Topics included things
such as Training Equipment (types; uses); Leadership, Dominance & Nurturing
(balance); What to do to prepare your
dog to meet the arrival of a new (human) baby in the household, and what/how to
train throughout baby’s infancy and toddler phases of growth; Behaviour Problem
Solving; Victorian Laws; Council By-Laws; Park Etiquette; Learning Theory;
Socialisation & Neutralisation; Aggression; Drives; and Training in Drive
theory.
The Saturday workshop took an even deeper and meaningful
look into dogs’ instinctive drives and provided both detailed theory and
demonstration of how to utilise the dog’s natural instinctive drives to your
own (and the dog’s) training advantage.
It also provided time for participants to practice what they’d learnt,
with their own dogs.
Sunday saw a more ‘Spring-like’ day (weather-wise) and a
kinder 15oC prevailed, thankfully minus the cold icy winds of the
day before. Discussion on theory
relating to stress/affects of stress on dogs; aggression; basic initial steps
towards behaviour modification comprised the better part of this day and
included some practical handling with some of the participants’ own dogs. The afternoon was followed up with further
more in-depth discussion of drives; equipment; pack structure as well as
explanation of the sympathetic use of an e-collar in training and in behaviour modification
programs/training.
Plenty of time was provided throughout and after for
questions from the audience and it was great to hear the thoughtful and
relevant questions asked.
By close of Sunday the exhaustion from so much mental
stimulation was written on our audience’s faces and I know of a good number who
were very thankful they’d arranged a day off on the following Monday!!!
For those who were able to obtain a ticket for their own dog
to attend the workshop components of the weekend event, I must say that I was
impressed and pleased with the level of ‘responsible dog-ownership and handling’
exhibited on the day. That the dogs were
calm and controlled did not go
un-noticed and was actually commented on by
authoritive persons outside of the Event, but who ‘popped in’ unexpectedly
for an interested ‘look-see’. So
well-done to all of our audience for their enthusiastic interest in learning
and also their sense of responsibility to their dogs.
Many have asked for more workshops and given the level of
enthusiasm it is our ambition to provide more opportunity for learning in the
future. When another Event is arranged,
details will be put up on this web-site, so ‘watch this space’, as the saying
goes.
Following is a collage of some of the photos taken throughout the weekend. Unfortunately, lighting quality for the photo’s
could have been better, but nevertheless indicative of the busy and wonderful weekend
we were privileged to share with those who came along .....
Featured below are some of our attendees :
             
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