Speakers: Katenna Jones (Jones Animal Behavior) & Erika Lessa (Cooperation Canine)

Play! For many dogs, it can address the behavior problems you’re spending all your time working on. It can also play a vital role in maintaining canine behavioral health. Distress, fear, anxiety, jumping/mouthing, barking, and more can be reduced with social interactions. Of course, playgroups are not appropriate for all dogs, but they’re great for most. This content will be helpful for any organizations introducing, facilitating, and maintaining safe play. If you are interested in beginning a play program for a shelter or a rescue, this workshop will outline the process for greetings, assessing play styles, matching dogs and building groups. 

Topics covered include value and impact of dog play, the benefits, obstacles, and solutions for shelters, setting up your play area, and safe handling of dogs, play styles, safe introductions of dogs, what to look for during play, managing groups, and breaking up dog fights.

*Note: Registration is required for this workshop. It has a maximum capacity of 20 people, pending weather. If weather cooperates and it can be held outdoors, then we can increase the capacity to 40. There will be an announcement, as well as, an update available at the registration desk the morning of the workshop.

**If you register for this workshop and are unable to make it/change your mind, please unregister to allow others to participate.

This workshop is being held at an offsite location 6 miles/10 minutes from the Hartford Marriott. You will receive address & directions prior to the conference. For those on the waiting list, please see the Registration Desk for directions if we are able to accommodate more people. 

Using your own transportation, make your way to this session for 1pm. The session ends at the same time as the rest of the conference.