Ramirez is a popular speaker and his seminars fill quickly, so register early!

Saturday June 20
Basic Training Philosophy: Introduction to the two-day seminar and an overview of Ken’s personal training philosophy and how these topics might weave together. 

Reinforcement Strategies: “Using Non-Food Reinforcers Effectively” Most experienced trainers recognize the value of finding reinforcers other than food or treats. However, not every trainer knows how to establish new reinforcers nor how to evaluate their effectiveness. Ken will share his perspectives and experience with non-food reinforcers and explain his approach to implementing them into a good training program. 

Handling Animal Mistakes: Ken will share his perspectives regarding how a positive reinforcement trainer should deal with animal errors. He will look at the popular use of no reinforcement markers and time outs and offer more positive alternatives, particularly the use of re-direction. 

Complex Tools: This seminar will look at a potpourri of topics that are sometimes not explored in great depth. Ken will look at the practical aspects of these tools and look at the science behind each of them. These may include, but are not limited to: Keep Going Signals, End of Session Signals, No Reward Markers, Least Reinforcing Scenario, Recall Signals, Jackpots, Behavior Chains, Release Signals, Differential Reinforcement Strategies, and Adduction. 

Sunday June 21
Concept Training (Modifiers, Mimicry, Matching to Sample, Counting & Adduction): “Stretching Your Dog’s Capabilities” There are many conceptual ideas that require a much more focused approach to training. This seminar will review the foundation needed for training broad concepts like modifier cues, mimicry, adduction, matching to sample and other conceptual tasks. A large amount of time will be focused on step by step training procedures for several of these ideas. This topic is designed for experienced trainers and animals. 

Social Animals: Ken has worked with exotic animals for more than 35 years and used specific strategies for introducing dangerous animals to each other and followed strict protocols which assisted in teaching these animals to live successfully together. In 2013 he took on a dog project with a number of aggressive and reactive dogs and used the same techniques he had used with exotic animals to teach these problematic shelter dogs to live together. This seminar will outline the strategies and techniques needed to train animals to live and work together. 

Conservation Training: One of Ken’s passions in the past decade has been to use his training skills to assist in conservation projects with animals living in the wild. In this brief seminar he will share some inspiring stories about unique uses of positive reinforcement training to assist in helping wildlife.