Description
Hides & Seeking
with Barbara Schwerdt
Saturday, March 18, 2023
9:00am – 5:00pm
Canine Mastery
Seekonk, MA
This event date has passed. Thank you for your interest.
Limited to 60 attendees!
Please read ALL the information on the webpage and note that policies and related procedures have been added/adjusted due to COVID.
- All participants must agree to the COVID/health policy below.
- Please read all seminar specifics before registering.
Barbara Schwerdt, BA, CPDT-KA, CNWI
Barbara and her German Shepherd Landis (R.I.P.) were involved in K9 Nose Work since 2008. At the first sanctioned NW1 trial they earned “The Harry Award”, which is given to the most outstanding rescue dog that demonstrates extraordinary ability and spirit in nose work. They received a “Pronounced” designation for each of the three title levels: NW1, NW2, and NW3. Barbara and Landis were the 3rd team in the country to earn an NW3 Elite title. They qualified for the first four National Invitational events and competed in the first three, placing 2nd, 5th, and 12th. He earned his Elite 2 title before retiring. Landis was also part of the United States Naval Research Laboratory’s Odor Discrimination Study.
Barbara and her next K9 Nose Work partner, “Cassandra Sue (Cassie)”, a Labrador Retriever/Border Collie mix, have been working together since July 2015. After spending nearly a year on “primary” in literally dozens of locations, Cassie is now competing at the Elite level, having just earned her 3rd NW3 Title. Cassie has also earned her L1I, L2I, L1C and L2C.
Barbara and her newest K9 Nose Work partner, a German Shepherd named Renner, have been working together since February 2022. A firm believer in building a strong foundation, Renner searched for a primary reward for nearly a year in more than a dozen different locations before being introduced to NACSW target odors.
In addition to her role of Trial Judge and retired Certifying Official, Barbara also serves the organization as a Senior Faculty member. Barbara has been instrumental in curriculum development and education of new nose work instructors, as well as continuing education for certified instructors. In partnership with Dogs of Course, she has been a K9 Camp Instructor since the very first camp in Pennsylvania in 2010. Barbara has been invited to speak, coach, and teach seminars throughout the United States and on the east coast of Australia. Seminar topics include Trial Prep for NW1, NW2, and NW3, Converging Odor, Inaccessible Hides, Problem Solving, and the ever-popular Hide Placement. She teaches weekly K9 nose work classes for students at the NW3, Elite, and Summit levels.
By day Barbara is a full-time corporate trainer where she has been since 1990. She holds the position of Director of Education and Training for a not-for-profit property management company that serves low to moderate income senior citizens, families, and the chronically-mentally ill. She holds a BA degree in Deaf Studies with a minor in Gerontology from California State University, Northridge. She worked as a nationally certified sign-language interpreter for nearly 20 years.
She shares her dog training company, Amante’ Dog Training, with her husband’s dog-walking and pet sitting business Safe at Home Pet Care. Barbara is a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), a certified member of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), The National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW), the Association for Talent Development (ATD), the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), Pet Sitter’s International (PSI), AIDS LifeCycle Training Ride Leaders, and Shifting Gears Cycling Club. She and her husband have fostered numerous guide dog puppies in training, primarily German Shepherds, ensuring appropriate house-manners are part of the skills they learn.
She has been an avid distance cyclist since 2011 and has raised nearly $50,000 for AIDS LifeCycle, a non-profit organization in California which provides much needed services to those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Barbara is grateful to share her life with her long-time husband, Gerry, a house cat named Parker, their little black Labrador Cassandra Sue, and newest member Renner, German Shepherd Dog.
Just like a game of Hide and Seek, the purpose of Nose/Scent Work is for the seekers to go blindly into the search area to find and identify the target before the game ends. With planning, strategy, and perseverance, the seekers often prevail, but at other times the target is elusive. Unlike the Hide and Seek game of our childhoods, we are not searching solely by using our own senses. We must rely on our canine teammate to do the bulk of the work for us, and we become the supporting player in the game. So, how do we prepare our canine partner and ourselves for the best chances to find all the hides and “win” the game?
Join Barbara for a full-day, in-person, seminar. Through the use of PowerPoint, videos, group discussion, and demo dogs, we will explore why and when teams miss hides, how to evaluate your team when a hide is missed, and how to prepare your dog for these challenges. Whether you are just starting out or your team is trialing at Summit, Barbara will share ways to perform at your best on game day.
This seminar is appropriate for instructors and all trainer/handlers that have a basic understanding of Nose/Scent Work training and competition. This seminar is to educate the human so she/he can take back the knowledge to their dog.
Before you register, please read the important information under “Rules, Considerations and Refunds” below.
Cost:
- $140 – early bird rate (register and pay before January 18, 2023)
- $160 (register and pay on or after January 18, 2023)
This seminar is limited to 60 attendees.
Limited to 60 attendees.
Registration will close one week before the start of the seminar or when the seminar is full.
Business Group Discounts are available. Please read the information on our Business Group Discount Page for more information about who qualifies and how to register. Please contact us via email to make sure there is availability.
Confirmation Info
After registering and sending payment, you will receive a confirmation email from Dogs of Course.
Tips:
- Remember to look in your junk mail folder
- Check all your e-mail accounts for your confirmation
- Dogs of Course will be sending you updated information and reminders before the start of the seminar. Please watch for our email/s.
COVID-19, Flu, and health policies
Due to COVID-19 (and Flu concerns) and all the uncertainty that has come with it, we need to let you know several things:
- Our goal is to provide a safe environment where we can all feel comfortable and risk is minimized.
- Please do NOT attend the seminar if you are not feeling well, including having: COVID- 19, a cold or the Flu.
- ALL participants must not have contracted COVID less than 10 days prior to the seminar date AND must be symptom free.
- ALL participants must not have been in contact with, living with, or exposed to any person with COVID- 19 for at least 5 days prior to the seminar.
- We are not requiring vaccinations, so we ask that all Seminar Attendees TEST the morning of the seminar to make sure they are COVID Negative.
- Your temperature may be taken at the door. Those with high temperatures will be asked to leave and will not be allowed in.
- If there are questions on a participant’s health, additional testing will be at the participant’s expense.
- All attendees are strongly encouraged to wear masks over nose and mouth while inside the building. We are a community and this small act of kindness could keep others safe. If COVID cases increases, it is possible masking may be required.
- By coming to the seminar, you agree to, and will cooperate with, the rules or regulations set in place with regards to mask wearing, hand sanitizing, food handling, and other protocols. The host has the right to adjust procedures and protocols.
- You will be required to sign a COVID-19 waiver on-line before coming to the seminar, indicating that you do not have COVID-19, or if you are recovering from COVID-19 you are symptom-free and were diagnosed with it at least 10 days before the seminar date, and that you have not been in contact with, living with, or exposed to, any person with COVID-19 for at least 5 days.
COVID Cancellation/Refund Policy for this seminar:
Revised 12/16/22
Due to the ever changing national COVID situation, it is difficult to anticipate what will be happening when this seminar runs. Please read the COVID refund policy below, in addition to the regular seminar refund policy.
- A registrant who gets COVID within 10 days of the start of this seminar or who is still symptomatic (other than loss of sense of smell/taste) will be refunded in full minus $25 admin fee.
- Registrants who arrive at the seminar and test positive and/or have a temperature will be turned away and refunded in full less the $25 admin fee.
- If the registrant is sick the day of the seminar, please stay home. It doesn’t matter if you think it may the flu or a cold or COVID-19. If you are sick, please take care of yourself and others by staying home. Nobody wants to be sick with any of the aforementioned illnesses. Let us know you are sick, and we will refund you in full less the $25 admin fee.
- You may also give or sell your spot to another person instead of a refund. Your replacement must tell us at registration whose spot they are taking and must also follow the COVID policies including signing a waiver etc., either via email attachment or at the registration check-in desk. Replacement must also agree to follow the other health protocols in place.
- These policies may change depending on the current COVID information and status. Registered participants will be informed of changes in this policy. We will update this page as policies change.
NACSW for CNWIs
7 CEUs
CCPDT
6.5 CEUs for CPDT-KAs
IAABC
CEUs pending approval
KPA-CTP
6.5 CEUs
More Information about CEUs:
If you indicated, on your webinar registration, that you need CEUs for NACSW, CPDT, IAABC, or KPA,
- IAABC and KPA-CTP CEU codes will be sent to you through email, so you can print them and/or save them.
- NACSW™ and CCPDT CEUs are entered online and there will be no certificates sent to you. Please check your membership account on the K9 Nose Work® website instructor portal and/or CCPDT member portal three weeks after the workshop.
There may be items for sale at the seminar. We will let you know in the final confirmation email, which will be sent 5 days before the seminar.
We expect that there will be a charity raffle. Raffle tickets purchases will be in the form of cash or a check to the designated 501(c)(3) only.
Registration Refund Policy for this Seminar.
Please note special COVID Refund Policy below.
Registration for this event confirms that you have read and agree to these policies.
Non-Working Seminars
Full payment is required to confirm your registration. Registration is complete when both the registration form and your payment are received.
- Within 3 days of registration, full refund. If you change your mind about attending the event within 3 days of registration, a full refund will be offered.
- Between 3 days of initial registration and up to 45 days prior to the start date: Full refund, minus $25.00 administration fee.
- You may sell or give your registration to another person in lieu of a refund. See “Transferring your registration” in the 6th bullet point.
- Between 44 -7 days prior to the start date: 50% refund except for programs less than $50.00. Programs with tuition less than $50.00 will be refunded the full amount minus $25.00 administration fee.
- You may sell or give your registration to another person in lieu of a refund. See “Transferring your registration” in the 6th bullet point.
- Cancellations 6 days or less before the course: No Refunds. (note COVID policy exception below)
- “No-shows” will not receive a refund.
- Transferring your registration to another person. Participant may transfer registration to another person. The participant is responsible for finding a replacement and working out reimbursement arrangements. The replacement participant will tell us who they are replacing at registration check-in on the day of the seminar and must follow all rules and considerations for the seminar. The new participant is responsible for reporting her/his attendance the day of the seminar if she/he wants Dogs of Course to update seminar attendance records.
- Registration fee is not transferable to another seminar, camp, or virtual event.
- If the seminar does not meet the minimum number of participants required to hold the event and must be cancelled by Dogs of Course, currently registered participants will be refunded the full amount without penalty.
- If the seminar cannot take place or be completed by reason of fire, civil disturbances, an Act of God, public, national or regional emergency, or any other cause beyond the control of the organizers, a portion of the tuition will not be refunded. The amount withheld will depend on when the cancellation takes place and the nonrecoverable expenses the host incurs.
COVID Cancellation/Refund Policy for this seminar:
Revised 12/16/22
Due to the ever changing national COVID situation, it is difficult to anticipate what will be happening when this seminar runs. Please read the COVID refund policy below, in addition to the regular seminar refund policy.
- A registrant who gets COVID within 10 days of the start of this seminar or who is still symptomatic (other than loss of sense of smell/taste) will be refunded in full minus $25 admin fee.
- Registrants who arrive at the seminar and test positive and/or have a temperature will be turned away and refunded in full less the $25 admin fee.
- If the registrant is sick the day of the seminar, please stay home. It doesn’t matter if you think it may the flu or a cold or COVID-19. If you are sick, please take care of yourself and others by staying home. Nobody wants to be sick with any of the aforementioned illnesses. Let us know you are sick, and we will refund you in full less the $25 admin fee.
- You may also give or sell your spot to another person instead of a refund. Your replacement must tell us at registration whose spot they are taking and must also follow the COVID policies including signing a waiver etc., either via email attachment or at the registration check-in desk. Replacement must also agree to follow the other health protocols in place.
- These policies may change depending on the current COVID information and status. Registered participants will be informed of changes in this policy. We will update this page as policies change.
All cancellations must be in writing (e-mail):
A written note back from Dogs of Course, within 5 working days, will confirm your cancellation. Your cancellation is not valid without a confirmation of receipt.
This policy applies to participants/auditors that must withdraw for any reason including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency and personal or work-related reasons. This policy is without exception.
COVID-19, Flu, and health policies
Due to COVID-19 (and Flu concerns) and all the uncertainty that has come with it, we need to let you know several things:
- Our goal is to provide a safe environment where we can all feel comfortable and risk is minimized.
- Please do NOT attend the seminar if you are not feeling well, including having: COVID- 19, a cold or the Flu.
- ALL participants must not have contracted COVID less than 10 days prior to the seminar date AND must be symptom free.
- ALL participants must not have been in contact with, living with, or exposed to any person with COVID- 19 for at least 5 days prior to the seminar.
- We are not requiring vaccinations so we ask that all Seminar Attendees TEST the morning of the seminar to make sure they are COVID Negative.
- Your temperature may be taken at the door. Those with high temperatures will be asked to leave and will not be allowed in.
- If there are questions on a participant’s health, additional testing will be at the participant’s expense.
- All attendees are strongly encouraged to wear masks over nose and mouth while inside the building. We are a community and this small act of kindness could keep others safe. If COVID cases increases, it is possible masking may be required.
- By coming to the seminar, you agree to, and will cooperate with, the rules or regulations set in place with regards to mask wearing, hand sanitizing, food handling, and other protocols. The host has the right to adjust procedures and protocols.
- You will be required to sign a COVID-19 waiver on-line before coming to the seminar, indicating that you do not have COVID-19, or if you are recovering from COVID-19 you are symptom-free and were diagnosed with it at least 10 days before the seminar date, and that you have not been in contact with, living with, or exposed to, any person with COVID-19 for at least 5 days.
Waiver, Assumption of Risk, and Agreement to Hold Harmless
I understand that attendance and participation in seminars run by Dogs of Course/Dana C. Crevling is not without risk to myself and/or guests who may attend this seminar.
I hereby waive and release Dana. C. Crevling, Dogs of Course, the speaker or organization, the shelter or business the seminar is located at, any animal shelter or rescue group that provided the animal, all owners of any other animals in attendance, and any of the above mentioned employees, owners, and agents from any and all liability of any nature for injury or damage which I or my dog may suffer, including specifically, but not without limitation, any injury or damage resulting from the action of any dog, and I expressly assume the risk of any such damage or injury while attending the seminar, while supervising or interacting with a dog while on the grounds or surrounding area thereto. In consideration of my attendance and participation in the seminar, I waive the right from any and all claims or claims by any member of my family or any other person accompanying me during the seminar as a result of any action by any dog, including my own.
Directions to Canine Mastery, 102 A Pond Street, Seekonk, MA 02771 (ph: 508-399-5867):
From Rt.95 South of Attleboro
Take Exit 2A (Newport Ave.) to the 1st light. Take that left onto Cottage St. Follow along 1 mile and turn right on Read St. to 2nd right Pond St. Watch for the Orion Industrial Park on your right (3/10 mile). Turn into the park, we are the second building on the left.
From Rt.95 North of Attleboro
Take Exit 3B Rt. 123. After the fire station take a left onto Read St. Follow to stop sign turn right then immediate left onto Read St. (There are signs for the animal shelter). Take the 2nd right onto Pond St. Turn right into the Orion Industrial Park in approximately 3/10 mile. Canine Mastery is the 2nd building on the left.
From Rte. 195 East or West
Take Massachusetts Exit 1. Follow 114 A (north). In approximately one mile you will reach a fork in the road, bear to the right (Grist Mill Restaurant will be on your left). This is Arcade Street. You will come to the intersection of Rte 44. Go Straight across and continue on Arcade to the end. This is the Jct. of Rte 152. Take a right onto 152 North – Newman Ave. Follow along for about 5 miles. You will come to the intersection of Central Ave. (Which is after the Stop and Shop) Go ½ mile and take a left onto Pond Street. Watch for Orion Industrial Park on the left (2/10-mile). Turn into the park, Canine Mastery is the 2nd building on the left.
Area Airports:
Providence, RI – about 22 miles away
Boston, MA – about 46 miles away
Hotel Information: CHECK PET POLICIES BEFORE MAKING RESERVATIONS! Make sure you understand ALL the fees and restrictions. Policies and rates often change.
Accommodations That Accept Well Behaved Dogs:
- Motel 6, 821 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, MA (508) 336-7800 – 10 minutes from site
- Comfort Inn, 341 Highland Avenue Seekonk, MA 02771 – 10 minutes from site
- Clarion Inn, 940 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, MA (508) 336-7300 – 10 minutes from site
- Extended Stay, 1000 Warren Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914 – 10 minutes from site
- Red Roof Inn, Mansfield, MA, (508) 339-2323 25 minutes from site
- Normandy Campground, Foxboro, MA, (508) 543-7600 20 minutes from site
No Dogs:
- Quality Inn, 341 Highland Ave, Seekonk, MA (508) 336-7900
- Hampton Inn, 1105 Fall River Ave, Seekonk, MA 02771 (508) 336-9000
Food: Lunch will be on your own. There are many places to eat within a 15-minute driving distance.
Lunch break will be 1.5 hours.
Beverages and snacks are expected to be available. If the host feels that COVID concerns dictate a need to limit or not offer beverages and snacks, participants will be notified in the final confirmation about 5 days before the seminar. We ask that you wear your mask when not eating or drinking.
What to Bring: Bring a comfortable folding chair that you can move from place to place and a towel to place under the chair to protect the matting, something hard to write on, pad of paper, notebook or laptop for taking notes.
Dress appropriately for inside and outside temperatures. The training room is climate controlled, but you should dress in layers to be sure you are comfortable as the heat/AC can vary depending on your seating location.
Bring a mask please. We request that you wear one if possible and it may be required if conditions change.
No Video or Audio Taping, please.
Dog Policies: This is a non-working seminar. Please leave your dogs at home if possible. If you must bring your dog, please plan on crating in your vehicle.
If you have questions about this seminar, please contact Dana Crevling via email. We will do our best to reply within 2 business days.
Start your registration below.