2014 Events
Below is a list of past events from 2014.
January 24-26
Clicker Expo
Long Beach, CA
There were several new things at Expo in 2014. New instructors, some shorter sessions, and lots of new classes. Expo is always an exciting weekend that should not be missed by any trainer who wants to be challenged and exposed to new positive reinforcement concepts. Ken was invited back again and repeated three popular classes from 2013 plus introduced three new classes. The repeat classes were Misteps, Myths, and Mantra (a look at common trainer errors), Effective Non-Food Reinforcement, and How Exotic Animals Taught Me to be a Better Dog Trainer. The new classes for 2014 included a seminar titled Who Nose? which is a review of different techniques for training scent discrimination and a new seminar and lab entitled What a Concept! New Frontiers in Concept Training which will be the fourth in Ken's ongoing series about concept training.
January 27-31
California Narcotic Canine Association
Los Angeles, CA
Ken was invited to return to this conference focused on scent detection for law enforcement. He presented a seminar on Handling Animal Mistakes.
February 1-2
A Weekend with Ken Ramirez
SPCA LA
Los Angeles, CA
This weekend seminar included some practical hands on work for a select number of trainer-dog teams. Topics included seminar and practical work on Reinforcement Strategies (an advanced look at non-food reinforcers). Additionally Ken conducted seminars and practical sessions on Concept Training (particularly modifier cues, adduction, and mimicry). The weeked wraped up with a look Handling Animal Mistakes.
February 15-16
A Weekend with Ken Ramirez
Michael's Dogs
Houston, TX
http://www.michaelsdogs.com/events/ken-ramirez-seminar-houston/
The topics for this weekend inlcuded: Introduction to Operant Conditioning, Reinforcement Strategies, Handling Animal Mistakes, Common Trainer Mistakes, and Evolution of the Modern Trainer. Over 60 attendees were at this seminar.
March 22
Art & Science of Animal Training
University of North Texas, ORCA
Denton, TX
Ken was invited back once again for what is always a stimulating meeting featuring presentations by creative trainers from all over the world. Although it is only a one day event for the public, it is always worth it. Ken talked about the challenges and techniques need to work with groups of animals.
March 28-30
Clicker Expo
Norfolk, VA
There are several new things at Expo in 2014. New instructors, some shorter sessions, and lots of new classes. Expo is always an exciting weekend that should not be missed by any trainer who wants to be challenged and exposed to new positive reinforcement concepts. Ken was invited back again and will repeat three popular classes from 2013 plus introduce three new classes. The repeat classes are Misteps, Myths, and Mantra (a look at common trainer errors), Effective Non-Food Reinforcement, and How Exotic Animals Taught Me to be a Better Dog Trainer. The new classes for 2014 include a seminar titled Who Nose? which is a review of different techniques for training scent discrimination and a new seminar and lab. entitled What a Concept! New Frontiers in Concept Training which will be the fourth in Ken's ongoing series about concept training. Something new on Saturday March 29th, Expo had a remote broadcast of select Expo presentations at several midwest locations (including Shedd).
April 6-11
AZA Training Course
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Orlando, FL
This is an excellent course for zoo trainers. Ken was invited to participate for the 7th straight year. This course has multiple instructors including Steve Martin and Michelle Skurski.
April 19-26
Five Go to Sea! A Training Cruise
Miami, FL
Celebrity Cruises
http://www.fivegotosea.com/index.html
A unique opportunity to cruise the Caribbean while learning about positive reinforcement in a unique environment and unique Learning structure. Who were the five? Ken Ramirez, Kay Laurence, Alexandra Kurland, Jesus Roslaes-Ruiz, and YOU! The cruise made stops in Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and St. Martin for some great shore exursions in extoic locales - participants could choose to explore on your own or join one of the instuctors during their down time. Back on board the ship, there are three full days at sea, during which seminars, working sessions, and discussions were held to explore training toics in depth. The participants and instructors seemed equally pleased with the event and are discussing the possibility of trying it again in 2015.
May 3-4 POSTPONED to 2015
Chicken Camp
Narnia Pet Behavior & Training
Plainfield, IL
Ken will be teaming up with Terry Ryan, who teaches the very popular Chicken Camps, which are designed to help improve trainer skills by working with live chickens in the workshop. Terry and Ken independently conduct seminars and workshops frequently, but this will be the first time that they have teamed up and taught together. Details of the seminar and workshop are still pending but it should prove to be an informative, practical and fun workshop. Ken will lecture on Problem Solving, Handling Animal Mistakes Positively, Complex Tools, and Becoming a Top Trainer. THIS SEMINAR HAD TO BE POSTPONED & WILL LIKELY BE RESCHEDULED IN 2015.
May 8-12
Basic & Advanced Seminar with Ken Ramirez
WATA & ASD/APS
Rimini, Italy
Contact Monica Acciai at acciaimonica@tiscali.it
Ken returned to the seaside town of Rimini, Italy through the invitation of the World Animal Trainer's Association to teach a week long seminar focused on training a variety of species from marine mammals to zoo animals to dogs. Day 1 and 2 was focused on the basics of operant conditioning, the science and practical applications. Day 3 and 4 focused on more advanced applciations. The 5th day included a trip to a local animal park Oltremare. The seminar was a mix of zoo, dog, and horse trainers. The enthusiastic group included people from Italy, Austria, Bulgaria, Russia, Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, and the Dominican Republic!
*2014 Scholarship Winner: Marcie Neto
May 23-25
Professional Animal Behavior Associates Seminar
PABA
University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
website pending
Ken was invited to speak along with Kathy Sdao, and Andrew Luescher. Ken's topics included Training 101: A Practical Look at the Science of Operant Conditioning, Complex Tools, and The Recipe for Becoming a Top Trainer. This was Ken's first time being invited to speak at this conference which had about 150 very enthusiastic trainers.
May 31-June 2
Training from Core to Complex: The Many Faces of the Modern Trainer
Dogs of Course
White Plains, NY
This fulll weekend seminar featured a review of Core Training Tools & Practices that experienced trainers may overlook or forget, an examination of Complex Tools, a review of techniques to work with Groups of Animals, and a look at Conservation training and the key skills needed to be a Consultant. The seminar presented by Dogs of Course and hosted locally by the Port Chester Obedience Training Club was attended by over 75 people and was very well received.
June 18
Frontiers and the Spirit of Exploration
Phi Theta Kappa
Washington University, Edison Theater
St. Louis, MO
Ken was been invited to be part of a series of presentations for this International Honor Society. Ken's presentation focused on Training for Conservation and was attended by nearly 600 students from arond the country. They were an inquisitive and lively group.
July 6-13
Cruise through South East Alaska
Shedd Aquarium sponsored trip
Juneau, AK
E-mail enquiries to cmell@sheddaquarium.org
This is not a training seminar but an opportunity to travel through South East Alaska guided by Ken Ramirez to see the beauty, sights, and wildlife of Alaska. This trip will take place aboard the 232 yacht style boat the Safari Endeavor through Glacier Bay National Park, and other locations to view Humpback whales, Orcas, porpoises, sea otters, and sea lions! It was a trip of as lifetime!
August 9-10
Weekend with Ken Ramirez
The Dogue Shop
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Ken provided a weekend seminar for both dog trainers and zoological trainers. Topics included Reinforcement Strategies, Handling Animal Mistakes Positively, Problem Solving and Aggression, and Working with Groups of Animals (including a case study on introducing aggressive dogs). The Dogue Shop is a small venue, so it was packed full with 20 very enthuiastic trainers.
*2014 Scholarship Winner: Emily Faison
August 18-22
Professional Seminars for Zoological Trainers
Shedd Aquarium
Chicago, IL
e-mail enquiries to: kcathcart@sheddaquarium.org
This is a full graduate course adapted to a one-week format for zoo training professionals. An opportunity to take a full course and see Ken work with animals in his home setting, the beautiful Shedd Aquarium. Although originally designed for zoo trainers, many dog trainers take the course each year. This course fills up early, please send an e-mail to the e-mail address listed above if you'd like to be put on the waiting list. This year's class was sold out again with an even split between exotic animal trainers and domestic animal trainers. The professionalism of the attendees and the enthusiasm of the group made for an exciting weekend.
September 12-18
IMATA & AZA Joint International Conference
Orlando, FL
Ken taught two seminars again this year before the start of the conference. The first seminar focused on Basic Operant Conditioning Skills - that seminar took place on September 12 from 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm. The second seminar was an advanced look at Non-Food Reinforcers which was held on September 13 from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm. This year's conference was combined with the annual AZA conference which made this an event like no previous IMATA meeting. In all it was a massive event with over 3000 attendees for the combined conference and over 600 registered specifically for IMATA. In addition to the two pre-conference seminars, Ken participated in two panel discussions (one for AZA on Theatrical experiences in the zoo and onee for IMATA on the benefits of modern training). On the final day of the conference Ken also presented an invited talk on clarifying the use of reinforcement variety and the misuse of the term "variable schedule of reinforcement."
August 23 – October 18 (Every Saturday)
WIU Graduate Course on Animal Training
Western Illinois University (class at Shedd Aquarium)
Chicago, IL
Strict requirements, for info before applying please contact Ken at kramirez@sheddaquarium.org. The class is a graduate version of Ken's week long course for professionals. Students must register and qualify through Western Illinois University.
October 17-19
Clicker Expo EUROPE!
Manchester, England
Clicker Expo traveled to Europe for the first time. Ken was pleased to be part of this first step at expanding Clicker Expo's reach. Since this is Expo's first time in Europe many of the instructors repeated topics from previous U.S. Expos. Ken's topics included Modifier Cues (with a lab), Non-food reinforcers (with a lab), Handling Animal Mistakes - Positively, and an overview of Aggression Treatment Techniques. It was a sold out Expo with over 330 attendees from 26 countries. As usual it was a stellar event.
November 15-16
A Weekend with Ken Ramirez
Fortunate Fido
Cleveland, OH
Ken conducted a weekend seminar with topics that included, Intro to Operant Conditioning, Reinforcement Strategies: How to Use Non-Food Reinforcers, Problem Solving, Handling Animal Mistakes - Positively, Common Trainer Errors, and Evolution of the Modern Trainer. It was a great weekend attended by at east 60 trainers.
December 6-7
A Weekend with Ken Ramirez
Tails-U-Win
Manchester, CT
Topics included Reinforcement Strategies, Handling Animal Mistakes, Problem Solving, Concept Training (an overview), the Complete Trainer, and Evolution of the Modern Trainer. A wonderful weekend with about 70 trainers.
TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP
Can't afford to attend one of Ken's seminars? Looking for career or training advice? Apply for one of these unique opportunities. For more information see application below.
2014 Scholarship Winners: Marcia Neto & Emily Faison
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