|
|
||||||||||||||||
| SEMINAR OUTLINES | ||
|
Saturday & Sunday • January 17-18, 2004 9:00 am - 4:00 pm each day |
||
This two day seminar will be divided into thirds based on the
topics described below. Actual material covered each day may vary
based on audience participation and questions pertaining to the
subject matter. |
||
| THE NATURAL HISTORY OF DOGS | ||
The Natural History of Dogs concentrates on their behavioral ecology. How do dogs make a living. Most dogs are very loosely attached to people and make a living the old fashion way of searching for food. The search is usually around human settlement. The idea that most dogs are not consciously fed by humans leads to some interesting ideas and observations about the evolution of dogs. |
||
|
Back to top |
||
| ETHOLOGY | ||
Ethology is an old fashion word for behavior genetics. Dogs behave like dogs because they display species typical behavior. What then is the relationship between that internally generated doginess and development and learning. Ethology is the creation of ethograms which are an inventory of a species motor patterns. Dog motor patterns are the expression of an internal set of rules which I explore in wolves as well as dogs. The exploration integrates the natural history and evolution of dogs. |
||
|
Back to top |
||
| COGNITIVE ETHOLOGY | ||
Cognitive Ethology explores the minds and mental abilities of dogs. Are dogs intelligent and can one breed be more intelligent than another? This lecture raises eyebrows by considering several null hypothesises such as dogs may not be conscious, or may have no sense of time, and perhaps they are not all that good at finding their way home. The exploration into the cognitive abilities of dogs is fun, if not entirely satisfying. |
||
|
Back to top |
||
| FEES | ||
$120.00 (both days) |
||
| ABOUT RAY COPPINGER, PhD | ||
Ray Coppinger, PhD majored in literature and philosophy as an undergraduate at Boston University. His Ph.D. thesis in biology (at the University of Massachusetts) is on the effect of experience and novelty on avian feeding behavior. He joined the founding faculty at Hampshire College in 1969, where he is professor of biology. He teaches and does research on animal behavior, especially the behavior of canines. Ray's first professional studies of dogs occurred on the runners of a dog sled. During a twelve-year mushing career, he progressed from a five-dog to a sixteen-dog team, won many races on the northeast (USA) circuits, and developed a new strain of fast, responsive sled dogs. Many of these were sold to drivers bound for the Alaskan championship races. His research projects with sled dogs include responses of racing dogs to the stress of heat retention, and the amount of energy required to pull a sled and driver. In 1976, Ray and his wife Lorna founded the Livestock Guarding Dog Project at Hampshire College. This long-term investigation into the behavior of a new kind of dog for farmers and ranchers in the United States has resulted in greater understanding about early developmental behavior of dogs, and how early experience (or lack of it) can affect adult behavior. For the past several years, Ray has turned his attention to assistance dogs. His first-hand knowledge of harnesses for dogs, the mechanics and physiology of pulling, and the relationship between experience, training and behavior give him a unique insight into the lives of the dogs which are being asked to enhance the lives of people with special needs. Ray (and his colleagues and students) have published over fifty papers on his dog research. His favorite publication, however, is the book Fishing Dogs, a humorous and iconoclastic look at dogs, fishermen and professors. His latest book, co-authored with Lorna Coppinger, is DOGS: A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior, and Evolution. His lecture trips around the world to talk about dogs are always supplemented by a day or two searching the waters for the perfect fish. Photo | ||
|
Back to top |
||
| DOG RULES | ||
DOG STUFF Any dog that is disruptive or behaves in an aggressive manner as determined by event staff will be requested to leave. Any dog that has "personal space issues" is not allowed in the seminar room. Remember chairs are right next to each other and people and dogs may be stepping over your dog. It is not a nice experience to be snarled at when dogs/people have to walk "over" your dog. | ||
DOG
ETIQUETTE |
||
|
Back to top |
||
| MORE RULES & COMMENTS | ||
PEOPLE ETIQUETTE VIDEOTAPING
BOOKS & TOYS, ETC.
FOR SALE REGISTRATION
DEADLINE REFUND POLICY
BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR
|
||
|
Back to top |
||
| LOCATION & DIRECTIONS | ||
Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption New York State Thruway to Exit 19 Kingston, after toll, traffic circle bear farthest right, follow signs for "Route 28 to route 209" Go through one light (almost immediately) and take Route 209 South/Ellenville. Stay on 209 South for exactly 13 miles,on your right. Seminar will be held in the large blue training building near road. |
||
|
Back to top |
||
| PLACES TO STAY | ||
Super Lodge |
||
Econo Lodge |
||
High Falls Motel |
||
Sparrow Hawk Bed & Breakfast |
||
|
Back to top |
||
| CONTACT | ||
|
For
registration inquiries, contact: |
|
|
Back to top |
||
