Thursday, October 23, 2008

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference

I am sorry that I haven't been able to blog for quite awhile. I was in the kennel at K9 Kindercare for 10 days while Barbara went to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference. This is a huge 5 day conference for dog trainers to learn the latest in positive reinforcement, dog behavior and training. Barbara goes every year so she can learn things to help more dogs. Over 1000 trainers came to the conference. Barbara is on the Board of APDT and on the conference committee so she had to go early and stay late to help with the set up and the planning for next year.

They had an entire day about dog play at the conference. I could have taught that class myself as I have very good play skills. But the best part of the conference, as far as I am concerned, is the trade show. Lots of vendors come and sell treats and toys and training equipment.

Kong gives every attendee a conference tote bag. There are lots of free treats from the vendors inside. Then Barbara goes around the trade show and buys more.



You can see that I am very anxious to get into that bag.





Look at this great pile of treats and toys. Some treats are duck and potato, some are peanut butter and many other delicious flavors. I will be doing some taste tests this week to determine the best kinds.





I thought that all these great toys were just for me but it seems some are for her students' dogs. This is not fair as they look like a lot of fun.



This is a special fox toy that is all mine!



I missed my person a lot while she was at the conference but I'm very glad that she went and I wish all dog trainers would educate themselves about the dog friendly training methods. There are too many people out there that call themselves dog trainers who don't know the first thing about training and shouldn't be training a gold fish never mind a dog. So I am going to learn lots of new things, play with new toys and get delicious treats!

15 comments:

Amber-Mae said...

I hope you had a good time at K9 Kindercare. Bet you met loads of friends there! Woah, that's a huge load of Kong stuff!

Butt wiggles,
Solid Gold Dancer

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

We really missed you, Niamh!

That Kong bag looks amazing!!! You are really going to enjoy all the contents!

Our lives are a bit upside down with the arrival this week of our tiny hissy princess sister. We're hoping she will realise how nice we are VERY SOON!

Your Pals,
Tom and Sen-Chan

Hero said...

Wow, Niamh. You've got some serious hook ups when it comes to dog treats and toys. Did you get to see a lot of friends and play in the doggy pools while at K9 Kindercare?

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

Wow what a hall.. You need to send mom more than once a year..


Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Molly the Airedale said...

Whoa! You sure got some goody bag, Niamh! Make sure you post about every single flavor treat so we can drool all over our computer keyboard!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Samantha ~ Holly and Zac ~ said...

That bag full of treats looks good Niamh. Did you get first pickings? hehe.

It sounds like Barbara's conference went well. You must have missed her loads but K9 Kindercare must have been fun.

Have fun with your Fox toy. :-)

Your pals,
Holly & Zac

Lorenza said...

Hi, Niamh!
The K9 Kindercare sounds fun! I hope you had a great time there.
You got a big bag of goodies!
Enjoy them!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Hydrocephalus in Pets said...

What a treasure chest of stuff there. You'll be set for a while.

Princess Patches said...

Woohoo, new toys and treats too! That should make up for your person being gone for 10 whole days.

Aire-hugs,
Poppy, Penny & Patches

Stanislaw said...

Niamh! You're rich! Is you mom a pirate? She came home with all that loot!

As a pup who needs some serious training... We hope that human conference was very educational!

Dexter said...

I don't know about all that training stuff, but anything with all those foodables can't be all bad.

Slobbers,
Mango

Agatha and Archie said...

WOW!! That was a lote of stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have that same foxie!!!!! Well we used to have him before we destuffed him.. We wish your PL lived close to us so she could train us!! Love A+A

Pedro said...

Niamh,

I've been wondering how to pronounce your name? So you were in jail for 10 whole days??? My friend Rambo is in jail right now. At least you got a GREAT goodie bag as settlement from your human. I've never been in jail. Is it scarey???

Pedro

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

That Callie is definitely doing a lot of training so perhaps you are right she will be a black belt in no time..


Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Anonymous said...

I'm also planning to provide proper training to my pets & looking for best trainers for it. Well, used to shop at Petco for their other accessories.