DAY ONE will be a comprehensive study of body language and facial expression. Live dogs and videos will be used to show the full range of signals dogs give us to tell us how they are feeling and what we can expect from them. Dogs often given very subtle signals and you will learn how to develop your observation skills and how to interpret what you are seeing.

Understanding a dog's basic temperament is essential before you place a dog in a home or you offer a pet owner a behavior program.

DETAILS OF THE ASSESS-A-PET® evaluation system will be introduced and discussed, including sensitivity to touch, teeth checks, food bowl aggression, possession aggression etc.

ASSESS-A-PET® has been developed over more than 20 years of testing thousands of dogs. It has been proven to be predictive of behavior. This workshop will teach you how to apply this tool and refine your observational skills.

DAY TWO will have you observing a wide variety of dogs and making your own observations and interpretations. Participants will be divided into groups and you will observe dogs on videos as well as live dogs. Using Assess-A-Pet's score sheets, you'll learn to read the most subtle signals. One on one critiques of your scoring will be given as you hone your skills.

WORKING HANDS-ON with dogs from the shelter, we'll explore the key elements of the Assess-A-Pet® test and how it relates to a dog's ability to live successfully in a home. Predictors of aggression will be closely studied and likely outcomes of behavior modification programs explored.

Sue Sternberg is the head of Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption, a community not-for-profit animal shelter which serves both the local (upstate New York) community as well as runs national programs, such as Training Wheels, dedicated to ensuring the quality of life of animals in their community and at animal shelters as well as safe animal adoptions, around the world. She has over 23 years of canine behavior experience, including as an animal control officer, a behavior consultant at the ASPCA, a kennel and animal shelter owner, a successful competitor in a variety of dog sports, and a teacher of dog trainers. Since 1993, she has operated a not-for-profit animal shelter in rural New York called Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption, which is featured in an HBO documentary called Shelter Dogs (www.shelterdogs.org). Her most recent shelter guide book is Great Dog Adoptions: A Guide for Shelters (Latham Foundation Press, 2002, www.latham.org). Her first book written for the general public on adopting a great dog was published in September '03, through Wiley Publishing. Sue has five dogs and two cats (all adopted), and shares her yard with a host of adopted farm animals. She is an accomplished fiddle player, a mineral and fossil collector, loves Earl Grey tea, and is a major Star Trek fan. Photo

DOG STUFF
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME. No dogs attendees' pet dogs are allowed in the seminar room.

PEOPLE ETIQUETTE During the seminar, please turn off all cell phone and pager audio alerts. Please take all private conversations outside while the speaker is presenting.

VIDEOTAPING
No videotaping or audiotaping, please. You July order videotapes of Sue's past lectures.

BABIES
The presence of a baby is likely to be distracting to other participants, so we ask that you refrain from bringing any babies or very young children into the lecture hall.

BOOKS & TOYS, ETC. FOR SALE
A selection of books, videos and toys will be available for sale. Checks and cash will be accepted only. Sue will also have her items for sale. Go to www.suesternberg.com for a list of her books and videos.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE
July 5-6 Session : Tuesday, July 3, 2007.
July 18-19 Session : Monday, July 16, 2007.

REFUND POLICY
Full refund issued if requested by email or phone no later than deadline above. Refunds requested after that date will be issued a 50% credit slip (less food purchases) that may be applied to future Puppyworks educational events.

PARKING
There should be ample parking near the seminar location.

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.

For registration inquiries, contact:
email: events@puppyworks.com