2016 Events
Below is a list of past events that took in 2016.
January 22-24
Clicker Expo
Reno, NV
Expo was an exciting weekend and should not be missed by any trainer who wants to be challenged and exposed to new positive reinforcement concepts. Please check out the ClickerExpo website by clicking on the link above for more info on topics and faculty for 2016. Ken's topics included a look at working with groups of animals and an update on his counting project.
February 6-7
Weekend with Ken Ramirez
Puppy Jake Foundation
Des Moines, IA
Ken spoke on the following topics: Why Training Matters; Introduction to Operant Conditioining (Training 101); Reinforcement Strategies; Handling Animal Mistakes; Recipe for Becoming a Top Trainer; and Evolution of the Modern Trainer.
February 20-21
Art & Science of Animal Training
ORCA - University of North Texas
Dallas, TX
https://orgs.unt.edu/orca/conference/
This event was expanded to two days and was held in Dallas rather than Denton. Ken presented two talks. One on Conservation Training and one on Training Beluga Bublle Rings!
February 26-27
Seminar with Ken Ramirez
Marker-Training Academy
Tel Aviv, Israel
This was Ken's first seminar in Israel. His topics included: Reinforcement Strategies; Handling Animal Mistakes; Problem Solving; and Aggression Treatments, Management, & Case Studies.
March 5-6
Advanced Training topics
Washington, DC / Virginia area
Burke, VA
Ken's topics included: Reinforcement Strategies; Complex Tools; Social Animals - Working with Groups; Aggression Reduction Strategies; Case Study: Teaching Aggressive Dogs to Live Together.
March 18-20
Clicker Expo
Cincinnati, OH
This Expo was sold out and it was a wonderful weekend that for the first time included an entire series on equine training in addition to all the other great seminars and labs. Ken's opening talk on the Butterfly Effect discussed that project as well as his views on the importance in being inclusive in our acceptance of trainers who may use aversives and other tools.
March 28 - April 1
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, due to popular demand the course will be offered twice in 2016, March and August. To get on the list for notificatiion when registration opens, e-mail Kelly at the e-mail address above.
April 8-11
Penn Vet Working Dog Conference
Philadelphia, PA
http://pennvetwdc.org/education/conference/
Ken was been invited as the keynote speaker this year. His first talk was titled "How Animal Training Taught me Better People Skills." Then later he spoke on "What Exotic Animals Taught Me about Training Working Dogs."
April 30 - May 1
Advanced Training Topics
Austin, TX area
Cedar Park, TX
Ken's topics included: Reinforcement Strategies; Complex Tools; Social Animals - Working with Groups; Aggression Reduction Strategies; Case Study: Teaching Aggressive Dogs to Live Together.
May 5 - 8
Professional Training Seminars
Happy-Fellow Coaching & Seminars
Puchberg am Schneeberg, AUSTRIA
This was Ken's first seminar in Austria. Joining him for the 4-day event were Dr. Susan Friedman and Helen Phillips. Ken spoke on Non-Food Reinforcers (which encluded a demo lab), Concept Training, and Working with Multiple Animals.
June 1-2 & 8-9
Seminar with Ken Ramirez
Positive Animal Solutions
1-2 Winchester, UK
8-9 Leeds, UK
www.positiveanimalsolutions.com
Positive Animal Solutions brought Ken back to the United Kingdom to conduct seminars for zookeepers, dog trainers, and others interested in positive reinforcement training. Topics included Aggression, Husbandry, Complex Tools, Chained Behaviors, the Complete Trainer, and Games Trainers Play.
June 12-16
3rd International Animal Training Conference
Twycross Zoo
Twycross, Unted Kingdom
http://twycrosszoo.org/animal-training-conference/
Ken was invited to give the keynote address at this conference, the theme this year Animal Training - The Journey.
June 18-19
Weekend with Ken Ramirez
Curso Clicker
Madrid, Spain
This will be Ken's 3rd time in Spain. He will be speaking on new topics and the seminar will be conducted entirely in Spanish. Topics were all new topics for Spain and included Husbandry, Scent Discirmination, Common Trainer Errors, Concept TrainiModifiers, Adduction, and Counting), and the Complete Trainer.
July 30-31
Advanced Training Topics
Boston, MA area
Natick, MA
Ken's topics will include: Reinforcement Strategies; Complex Tools; Social Animals - Working with Groups; Aggression Reduction Strategies; Case Study: Teaching Aggressive Dogs to Live Together.
Full notes of Ken Ramirez Seminar for PuupyWorks.
PuppyWorks Seminar Outline 2016.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [1.3 MB]
August 22-26
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. T
August 27 – October 15 (Every Saturday)
WIU Graduate Course on Animal Training
Western Illinois University (class at Shedd Aquarium)
Chicago, IL
The class is a graduate version of Ken's week long course for professionals. Students must register and qualify through Western Illinois University. This will be Ken's 20th year teaching this class. Due to scheduling and space conflicts, this class was cancelled.
September 14
Surgeon's Symposium
Montefiore Medical Center
New York, NY
A unique sumposium introducing positive reinforcement training to and TAGTeach to doctors who teach surgical skills to medical students. Ken provided a brief introduction to the science and a look at what is possible with positive reinforcement training.
September 25-30
AZA Training Course
Denver Zoo
Denver, CO
This is an excellent course for zoo trainers. Ken was invited to participate for the 10th straight year. This course has multiple instructors including Emily Insalaco, Tim Sullivan, Steve Martin and Michelle Skurski. This was the first year holding the course at the Denver Zoo, where they did a great job following in the footsteps of the staff at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
October 2
Parrot Expo
Seattle, WA
www.flight-club-foundation.org/seattle-parrit-expo
Held at the Tukwila Community Center October 1-2, Ken spoke for a full day. His keynote speech was titled Why Training Matters: Evolution and Practical Applications Across Species. In the afternoon he talked about Working with Groups of Animals and Handling Animal Mistakes Positively. All three of hhis talks were focused and tailored for bird trainers.
October 5-6
Animal Welfare Congress
Mexico City, Mexico
http://www.
A two-day conference focusing on different aspects of animal care. Ken focused his talk on Animal Training: The Welfare Connection.
October 22-23
6th Annual Conference of AICAS
Zoo Lagos
Algarve, Portuga
Ken was invited to share a talk on husbandry training with the attendees as the opening for this conference.
October 28-30
Clicker Expo Europe
Billund, Denmark
Expo is always an exciting event and this was our 3rd time in Europe - in a new locatiion. We had an expanded schedule. Please check out the ClickerExpo website by clicking on the link above for more info on topics and faculty for 2016.
November 7-11
PP&G Summit
The Pet Professional Guild
Tampa, FL
www.petprofessionalguild.com/2016-Summit
Ken was been invited to their 2nd annual conference. He did three talks at the conference Evolving Challenges for the Positive Reinforcement Trainer in the Modern World, Controversial Tools Examined, and Handling Animal Mistakes Positively.
November 13-18 N
International Marine Animal Trainers Association Conference
San Diego, CA
Whether or not Ken conducts seminars at this confernece, the annual IMATA conference is an excellent place to meet trainers and talk training. Ken's involvement included two preconference seminars on Sunday, November 13. He also did a special presentation during the conference Conservation Connection: Training to Save Wildlife, which was won the People's Choice Award.