Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The APDT Conference

I've been away from the blogosphere for over a week but Barbara has a good excuse this time. She was at the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Annual Conference in Oakland, CA and Ambrose and I were at K9 Kindercare. This is a 5 day educational conference for dog trainers so it is very important. There were 1121 trainers there listening to the top behaviorists and trainers such as Dr. Brian Hare, Sue Sternberg, Steve White, Nicole Wilde and many others.

Since Barbara is the president of the APDT, she had lots of jobs to do while there. I feel that as First Dog, I should have been there too. Especially when I saw that she got to stay in the Presidential Suite. Look at the size of that place-I could have had a good time playing there.



Unfortunately I would have had to fly in the belly of a plane to get there, and of course I will not do that. The conference is mostly lectures and demonstrations so I think I would not have enjoyed it that much. I'd much rather be playing or doing tracking. And if we brought Ambrose, he would have wrecked the place for sure.

Barbara did get to go to San Francisco by ferry which I would have enjoyed. The sunset looked lovely.



The best part of the conference, as far as I am concerned, is the trade show. Vendors sell all sorts of cool dog products and Barbara always buys us lots of toys and treats. I was very excited to see that her training bag was crammed full of good stuff.



I inspected the bag very carefully. There were Wubbas, Kongs, chew toys and this great giraffe with a braided fleece body and a good squeaker in his head.



Of course I had to check out all the treats. Last year, you may remember, I did a very scientific palatability test on the various treats so that I could let you know which ones were delicious and which ones were icky. I am very willing to put my efforts into doing this again for you so that you don't have to suffer eating boring tasting treats. We will try to post about it this weekend.



Of course goofy Ambrose had to try to get in on the act. Barbara says that I have to share. Boo! Hiss!



I have the giraffe. It is mine.



If Ambrose thinks he can have it, he is goofier than I ever thought. I am going to take this giraffe onto my bed and keep Ambrose away so he doesn't get his puppy cooties all over it. He can have the Wubba!



As much as I enjoy going to K9 Kindercare and I know that it is important for Barbara to be at the conference, I am glad to be home with all my new treats and toys.

12 comments:

Lorenza said...

Hi, Niamh!
You are so right... nothing like home!
Glad Barbara is back! Sure she had a pawesome (and working) time at the APDT Conference!
And she brought toys and treats for you and Ambrose!
I can't wait to know your opinion about them!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

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

You just hang on to that giraffe, Niamh! And it is so very selfless of you to agree to try out the treats again this year!

Dexter said...

Momma says that San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities she ever saw. It does look nice, but I am with you on that belly plane flying.

At least there were enough goodies brought back so your dumb brother could get some and not get cooties on yours.

Slobbers,
Mango

Molly the Airedale said...

The training bag is overflowing with goodies for you, Niamh! We can't wait for you to rate the newest treats!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Agatha and Archie said...

Go for the Buddy Biscuits( we saw them in the bag) and OF COURSE you get the giraffe( did you set up that bomb shelter yet??????? Give him the wubba...he can bounce it around and stuff while you check out the rest of the bag.. Lvoe A+A

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, Niamh, I didn't know your human is the President of the APDT!! I feel so honoured (and awed) to know you now!! :-)

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

We would let mom go to that anytime if we got all those pressies when she came home...

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Comet said...

We're glad Barbara is back. Even though we know people sometimes have to travel for their jobs, it's still not fun for us!

Fenway said...

I think Barbara should have brought ME along to that behavior conference. I could have been a good test case!

What are some of your favorite new toys?

Your pal,
Fenway

Anonymous said...

We Love the Pictures!!

Life With Dogs said...

See - good things do come to those who wait! But you would have had a lot more fun tearing up that suite. :)

Euri said...

You're so lucky you got treats to "try out."