Dogs exist in amazing numbers around the world. Most of them are classified by the World Health Organization as "neighborhood dogs". These are dogs that are loosely attached to people and are in continuous contact with the greater population of dogs. What this means is that most of the dogs in the world form a continuous population that feeds, reproduces and maintains their own lifestyles -- reasonably independently of people.

Why The Natural History of the Dog is important to dog owners:
Exploring the behavior of this huge population of neighborhood dogs gives us not only the dynamics of how most dogs earn a living but also suggests how they evolved and adapted to civilization. It also provides an interesting insight into dog behavior.

There are many ways to study dog behavior. Ethology, sometimes called behavioral ecology and sometimes behavior genetics, is a biological approach to measuring behavior. Most of the people interested in dogs are interested in modifying their behavior. Behaviorism developed by B.F Skinner is popular now. Known as 'click and treat,' the technique is used to teach tricks or a particular behavior. In contrast, people who train pointers or sheepdogs or other hunting and working dogs rely on a dog's innate or genetically based behavior. The exploration of these breed-typical behaviors is a job for ethologists.

Why The Ethology of Dogs is important for dog owners is quite simple. Innate behaviors can be directed but not changed. Each breed of dog was selected originally to perform in a particular way. Therefore one has to understand the breed specific behavior in order to train a dog.

Have you ever asked the question - when a border collie herds sheep, is it conscious of what it is doing? If herding behavior is genetic, then there is little need for the dog to be conscious. And how does the dog compare with other animals in characteristics such as self-awareness and intentional behavior? Can they form images of missing objects?

When one tells a dog to fetch its ball, does it form a mental image of that ball and can it generalize to other balls, or does it just learn the one and then searches for a familiar smell?

Why Dog Cognition is important for dog owners: When one is training a dog, often they can't believe how long it takes for the dog to learn a simple procedure. But to understand what the mental capabilities of the dog might be will help facilitate training. If we understand the "hardware" we can more efficiently create the "software" of how dogs learn. We will be better able to evaluate the various applications of dog training and choose which one is best for our dogs.

Do dogs have emotions? Are they like people's emotions? Most scientists think dogs express fear and alarm but don't see how they can feel guilt or love. For scientists, it is important to be able to measure quantity and quality of a behavior in order to demonstrate its effect. There is a chance that a model could be constructed that demonstrates a rich array of emotions in animals like dogs.

Why Emotions of the Dog is important for dog owners: It is important to understand a dog's emotional nature. If dogs feel good about what they are learning they will learn more quickly. But if they are in a shy or aggressive mood they won't be willing to submit to instruction. Believe it or not most dogs are internally rewarded with little pleasure sensations when you hit the right button and the dog will be more willing to learn if the process releases a nice feeling.

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.

DOG ETIQUETTE

Due to severe space limitations, we will not be permitterd to have dogs in the meeting room.

PEOPLE ETIQUETTE
During the lectures, please turn off all cell phone and pager audio alerts. Please take all private conversations outside into the hotel lobby while the speakers are presenting.

VIDEOTAPING
No videotaping or audiotaping is permitted. A selection of videotapes will be available for sale at www.tawzerdogvideos.com

BOOKS & TOYS, ETC. FOR SALE
A selection of books, videos and toys will be available for sale.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Thursday, December 7, 2006.

REFUND POLICY
A full refund (excluding food orders) will be issued if requested before Tuesday, December 5, 2006. Refunds requested after Tuesday, December 5, 2006 will be issued a 50% credit slip (less food purchases) that may be applied to future Puppyworks educational events. No refunds or credits issued after 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 7, 2006. All refunds must be requested by email or phone. There are no exceptions to this policy.

New York State Thruway (I 87) to Exit 19 Kingston (91 miles north of New York City or 51 miles south of Albany, NY). After toll, stay to the farthest right at the round-about, and follow signs for Route 28 to Route 209. After about 1/4 mile on Route 28 go through one light and almost immediately thereafter take Route 209 South in the direction of Ellenville. Stay on Route 209 South for exactly 13 miles, and just past Sparrow Hawk Bed and Breakfast, you will come to Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption on the right. Seminar will be held in the large blue training building closest to the road.