Description
The Conversation of Teamwork
with Sue Sternberg and Dana Zinn
Registration will open in early April.
Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30, 2023
9:00am – 5:00pm
MasterPeace Dog Training
Franklin, MA
Current limit is 80 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.
Sue Sternberg
Sue Sternberg has traveled the world offering her insight in dog behavior focusing on the shelter or rescue dog and determining the dog’s adoptability for rehoming. She has authored the Assess A Pet system to assist in promoting safe rehoming decisions for shelter and rescue organizations alike. While Sue has often received stark criticism (even outright physical threats) for her work, she has preserved and still remains an accomplished observer and interpreter of dog behavior. She has been described as a “visual thinker” with great insight reading dogs.
Sue began her career over thirty-five years ago as a dog control officer in rural Massachusetts. At the ASPCA in New York City, Sue counseled the public regarding pet behavior problems, taught volunteers and staff how to safely and humanely handle shelter animals, evaluated the temperaments of shelter dogs, and made recommendations for placement and euthanasia. In 1993, she founded a not-for-profit animal shelter in rural New York, where she developed many innovative programs for the welfare of shelter dogs and the people in surrounding communities. She shares her knowledge of dog behavior on radio talk shows, as a popular speaker at national humane and dog training conferences, and through books and videos available at www.dogwise.com.
Her programs, including Assess-a-Pet, have been used with positive results at shelters across the country and abroad.
It is Sue’s undaunting capacity to “read” our dogs’ (and every dog) and enlighten those of us on the end of the leash, that makes her observations of our dogs doing nose work so invaluable.
Sue is an avid fan of K9 Nose Work® and NACSW™ and we are fortunate to have her expertise shared in webinars and workshops. Since her nose work journey began, she has competed in all trial levels and is currently working at the Summit and Elite levels with her dogs Chappy and Pon. With her broad background is in the handling and training of dogs, this additionally makes her a valued coach in K9 Nose Work® teamwork and how our handling (on and off leash) affects our dog’s behavior and can help or hinder our success as a nose work search team.
Dana Zinn, CNWI, CPDT-KA
Dana Zinn has been working with and training dogs since 1999. Her many years of dog training experience include working at the spcaLA as an Animal Behavior & Training Specialist. It was the time working with dogs in the shelter that drew her to the sport of K9 Nose Work®; not only for her own dogs, but for the many dogs in need of a “job” to do.
Dana was involved in the first publicly offered Nose Work class in Long Beach, CA. She not only participated but eventually assisted in instruction. From there Dana became involved in the development of the K9 Nose Work® instructor certification program. Dana was one of the first participants to be certified as an instructor for the K9 Nose Work® curriculum approved by the National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC.
Today, her many jobs with NACSW include certifying official, supervising certifying officlal, and trial judge. She is also thrilled to be a part of education committee helping to train new certifying officials joining the organization.
Her learning never stops as she continues to teach classes, instruct at camps, compete in trials, create webinars, and teach workshops. One of her proudest moments was placing first in the 2014 NACSW National Invitational.
Dana has participated in a variety of canine activities such as obedience, herding, agility and of course Nose Work. Dana moved from California with her family to Golden, Colorado in 2008 and brought the sport of K9 Nose Work® with her. She hosted the first trials in Colorado and has absolutely loved watching nose work flourish there. Dana is honored to be a part of the amazing community that has grown around the game and sport in Colorado and surrounding areas.
Dana strives to increase her knowledge about canine behavior and instruction. She has attended and helped coordinate many seminars featuring some of the world’s most sought-after speakers. One of her most memorable educational experiences was working with and learning from the renowned dog behavior expert and trainer John Rogerson. She has traveled to England and Washington state to work with and assist him on many courses including his 21-day Instructors’ Course.
Dana is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and a member of the Colorado Trainers’ Networking Group. Dana was certified as a professional dog training in 2005 by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).
Dana currently shares her life with her wonderful husband Ken, two beautiful children Jessica & Ben, and her two Labrador Retrievers, Winnie and Sunny.
This two-day workshop will provide valuable information about how we, as handlers, influence the search with our body movements, direction and pathways, and speed and body orientation. Sue and Dana will also discuss what we are communicating to our dogs from all of our “handler actions or inactions” throughout the search, and why we may be getting certain behaviors from our canine partners in trial that baffle us.
This workshop will include video footage from other dog sports and video submissions from those attending the workshop as auditors both days, to demonstrate deliberate and inadvertent communication between dogs and their handlers. Additionally, Dana will set up exercises, with the working dogs, to highlight handler movement and the dog’s response to better understand what our dogs are communicating “at each moment” and improve our productivity as handlers without diminishing drive and independence.
Participants will also be given specific handling tools to increase the ability to listen while simultaneously allowing the dog more freedom to make choices and hunt independently.
Sue and Dana deliver this workshop with humor, compassion and enthusiasm knowing that teams will leave with a new way of looking at the search and new tools to strengthen the handler/dog team through the long-term journey of this amazing game.
Working Team Information:
- Working teams are limited to 10 per day.
- A different group of dogs selected for each of the two days to best accommodate as many teams as possible.
- Handlers of working dogs must attend both days. You will audit one day and work your dog on the alternate day.
- Please do not apply if you ONLY want a working spot and are not interested in attending as an auditor both days if you are not selected.
- Working teams will be selected to showcase a variety of working styles, breeds, and skills in order to provide the best overall education throughout the weekend.
- Dog and handler will be selected from the applicant pool no later than 3 weeks before the workshop weekend. All applicants will be notified at that time.
- Those selected will be invoiced for the additional working fee.
- Dog and handler should be comfortable working in front of a large group of people in novel situations.
- Dogs CANNOT be reactive to other dogs or people or environmentally sensitive.
- Dogs must be actively searching on all three NACSW odors: Anise, Birch, Clove.
- Dogs need to be quiet in crate in the building or car if weather permits.
- Crating inside is in a section of the same room,behind a 4′ movable wall along with the other working dogs, where the searching and lecture is being held.
If you would like to be considered as a working team, please fill out the information below when you register.
Auditors:
- For 2-day Auditors only – Submit videos to Sue Sternberg of your searches at least two weeks before the workshop. You and your dog can be part of of the discussion. Full information will be in your confirmation. See next section for details on how to submit your videos.
- 2-day attendance is strongly encouraged so you get the best education available.
- May attend Saturday only.
- We are not offering ‘Sunday only’ attendance unless you are fully familiar with the techniques and are approved by Dana Zinn or Sue Sternberg and Dana Crevling.
Email Dana Crevling with your experience with their techniques for review if you want an exception.
Bonus Q&A Session for Instructors:
On Sunday, July 30, from 5:30 – 6:15PM, we will be hosting a special Q&A Session with Sue Sternberg and Dana Zinn for an additional fee of $30. If you are a Nose/Scent Work instructor and have questions or want the opportunity for further information specific to teaching you can join Sue and Dana. The session will be informal and cater to the questions of the group. We need a minimum of 8 instructors to run this bonus time.
This workshop will include video footage from other dog sports and video submissions from those attending the workshop as auditors both days, to demonstrate deliberate and inadvertent communication between dogs and their handlers.
For 2-day Auditors only:
Submit videos to Sue Sternberg of your searches by July 15, 2023. You and your dog can be part of of the discussion.
As a 2-day auditor, you have the opportunity to submit to Sue trial videos for analysis during the workshop. This is a unique opportunity for learning without having a working spot! Indeed, it IS a sort of working spot—and a way to learn how to review your footage for maximum learning and improvement.
Sue will be reviewing videos to show not only how the handler’s path, speed, orientation and trajectory affects dog path, but when to use these to deliberately influence—and yes, make withdrawals in the Bank of Joy—The dog. Videos from trials would be ideal, but training videos that show areas of handler influence/suggestion would be useful, too.
Auditors who contribute video footage for analysis can expect to have commenting and questions carefully monitored by Sue to ensure that compassion, support and learning prevail. This will be a tremendous learning opportunity for those contributing videos, plus a valuable demonstration of how all handlers can analyze their own videos in the future.
Please send videos to Sue Sternberg through YouTube or DropBox links, or Google Drive. In your email, please include dog’s name, age, male or female (spare her the embarrassment), level of training/competing, and anything else you want Sue to know.
Deadline for video submission is July 15th.
Thank you all!
Before you register, please read the important information under “Rules, Considerations and Refunds” below
Registration will open Tuesday, March 21, 2023.
Auditor – Both days
- $270 – early bird rate (register and pay on or before May 29, 2023)
- $310 (register and pay after May 29, 2029)
Auditor – Saturday only (Note: Participants may request “Sunday only” auditing if qualified. See “About This Seminar” section)
- $160 – early bird rate (register and pay on or before May 29, 2023)
- $180 (register and pay after May 29, 2023)
Bonus Q&A Session for instructors Sunday, July 30, 5:30 – 6:15PM
- $30 – minimum attendance of 8 for the the Q&A session to be held
Working Spot – Must be willing to audit if not selected.
- $100 additional fee if selected (one day working)
We will send you an invoice for the additional $100 if your dog is chosen.
There will be a different set of working dogs each day. Your dog will only work on the day we assign to you.
Limited to 80 attendees.
Registration will close one week before the start of the seminar or when the seminar is full.
Business Group Discounts are available for AUDITORS ONLY. 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 are on an upswing, it is possible masking may be required. You should be prepared to wear one if needed.
- By coming to the event, 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 event, 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 event 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 event, 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
CEUs pending approval
CCPDT
CEUs pending approval
IAABC
CEUs pending approval
KPA-CTP
CEUs pending approval
More Information about CEUs:
If you indicated, on your webinar registration, that you need CEUs for NACSW, CPDT, IAABC, or KPA, you do not need to do anything else unless the organization is requiring proof of attendance. If you need proof of attendance for your organization, we will let you know.
- 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.
Shopping:
The “Camp Store” sells clothing and other items for the Nose/Scent Work enthusiast. Cash and checks are encouraged. We will give you any additional information in the final confirmation email, which will be sent 5 days before the seminar.
Charity Raffle:
Our charity raffle will benefit a designated 501(c)(3) that helps fight Canine Cancer. Raffle tickets purchases will be in the form of cash or a check to the charity.
If you have a new item you would like to donate please contact Dana to discuss.
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 Seminar Attendees
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.
Working Seminar Attendees
- Transfers from working to auditor spots will be reimbursed the difference in tuition based the date of the change per the above refund policies.
- Due to the many facets of coordinating and administering a seminar with dogs participating, as well as the requirements each dog/owner team must meet for working seminar, the registered working participant/dog team cannot transfer her/his registration to another person for working seminars.
Dog Policies
- We ask that only working participants have dogs in the building during the seminar. The strictness of this policy depends on the location of the seminar and space availability.
- Unless otherwise stated, all dogs must be friendly with people and dogs, and quiet in a crate or ex-pen. Noisy or disruptive dogs will be asked to be moved to your vehicle or leave.
- Participants asked to leave the event/property because her/his dog is dangerous, disruptive or un-manageable will not be refunded any part of the tuition.
- Unless otherwise stated, females that are currently in estrus (day 1 – day 21) are excluded from participating in working seminars. The owner has the option to switch to an auditor position and will be reimbursed per the transfer to auditor refund policy listed above. If the owner does not choose to switch to auditor status, she/he forfeits registration.
- Dogs must be on leash and supervised at all times. Owners must pick-up after her/his dog.
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:
MasterPeace Dog Training is conveniently located off I-495, in southeastern Massachusetts.
Find your best route to Exit #43 off Rt 495 to Route 140 South.
Follow Rt 140 South for approximately 1 mile.
Turn right onto Fisher Street and go to the end, passing over the railroad tracks. MasterPeace is the last building on the left.
Hotel Information:
CHECK PET POLICIES BEFORE MAKING RESERVATIONS! Make sure you understand ALL the fees and restrictions. Policies and rates may change.
- Best Western Plus Executive Residency Inn, Franklin, MA (508-553-3500). ($25/night per dog)
- Holiday Inn Express, Milford, MA (508-634-1054) ($35/night per dog)
- Hampton Inn, Franklin, MA (508-520-2999) (accepts service dogs only)
- Best Western Plus Executive Residency Inn, Franklin, MA (508-553-3500). ($25/night per dog)
- Holiday Inn Express, Milford, MA (508-634-1054) ($35/night per dog)
- Hampton Inn, Franklin, MA (508-520-2999) (accepts service dogs only)
Area Airports:
Providence, RI (TF Green) – about 35 miles away
Worcester, MA (Worcester Regional) – about 40 miles away
Boston, MA (Logan) – about 45 miles away
Food: Lunch will be on your own. There are many places to eat within a 10-minute driving distance.
Lunch break is scheduled for 1 hour.
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. Exceptions may be made for the working teams that want video of themselves for personal use only.
Dog Policies: Auditors, please leave your dogs at home if possible. If you must bring your dog, please plan on crating in your vehicle. Working teams, we expect that you will be crating inside due to the time of year. You may be able to crate outside if the weather permits. Please bring fans, shade cloths, cooling coats, and other items to keep your dog comfortable if you might crate in your car.
If you have questions about this seminar, please contact Dana Crevling via email. We will do our best to reply within 2 business days.
Registration will open in early April
Currently attendance limited to 80 participants.
Auditor – Both days
- $270 – early bird rate (register and pay on or before May 29, 2023)
- $310 (register and pay after May 29, 2023)
Auditor – Saturday only (Note: “Sunday only” option for auditors, only if approved see “About This Seminar” info.)
- $160 – early bird rate (register and pay on or before May 29, 2023)
- $180 (register and pay after May 29, 2023)
Bonus Q&A Session for instructors – Sunday, July 30, 5:30 – 6:15PM
- $30 – minimum attendance of 8 for the the Q&A session to be held
Working Spot – Must be willing to audit if not selected.
- $100 additional fee if selected (one day working)
We will send you an invoice for the additional $100 if your dog is chosen.
There will be a different set of working dogs each day. Your dog will only work on the day we assign to you.