Ever Wondered What Your Dog Is Really Thinking?

 
It’s often said that a dog is man’s best friend, but can we ever really know what they’re thinking? While dog owners often believe they can ‘read’ their dog’s emotions, what they’re really feeling might surprise you.
 
Delta Institute, the Australian dog behaviour research and training organisation, is hosting ‘Inside of a Dog’, its first ever dog behaviour conference, for dog lovers, dog trainers, vets and anyone working in the pet or animal industries – on 7, 8 and 9 April 2017, in Sydney CBD.
 
Dr Alexandra Horowitz, keynote speaker and world-renowned dog cognition researcher and acclaimed author comments, “A dog’s world is defined by their perception and action, including being able to smell much more acutely than humans can, they also have a significantly greater hearing range than we do, and so respond to stimuli that we don’t even notice. Gaining an insight into how dogs see the world, and appreciating their perspective, can go a long way towards enhancing the human-dog relationship.”
 
Delta Institute is delighted to have secured Dr Alexandra Horowitz, as keynote speaker for the event. Dr Horowitz is the author of the New York Times’ best-seller ‘Inside of a Dog’ (2009), and has recently released her new book ‘Being a Dog’, in which she uncovers the secrets of how dogs view the world.
 
Robin Simpson, Conference Chair, Delta Institute adds, “When you learn how complex the world around us appears to the canine nose, your perspective on dogs will change forever. To a dog, there’s no such thing as ‘fresh air’, as every breath of air is loaded with information. In her books Dr Horowitz explains that what every dog knows about the world comes mostly through its nose. So, to get inside a dog’s head, you need to know what’s going on inside its nose”.
 
The Delta Institute Dog Behaviour Conference, the first of its kind in Australia, boasts a high calibre line up of local and international speakers including;
 
Kitty Flanagan
One of Australia’s best known comedians, Kitty is a writer and performer, and is the current ambassador for Delta Therapy Dogs. Kitty will open the conference with her trademark wit and humour.
 
Alexis Davison
Internationally Certified Professional Dog Trainer and founder of Scholars in Collars.  Alexis has been a professional dog trainer since 2002, and offers a range of innovative classes and workshops in South Australia.
 
Dr. Bradley Smith  - a comparative psychologist with a specialisation in canine cognition and behaviour. He specialises in the cognition and behaviour of canids (including the Australian dingo), as well as the relationship between humans and animals.
 
Dr Vanessa Rohlf  - a researcher, educator and consultant specialising in compassion fatigue and stress management. She holds a PhD in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology where she specialised in human-animal interactions. Vanessa currently conducts seminars and workshops on compassion fatigue for the animal industries and teaches human behaviour at Monash University. She is a former veterinary nurse with a passion for animals and supporting those who care for them.
 
Veronica Boutelle - founder of the profession’s leading business support service, dog*biz, and author of ‘How To Run A Dog Business: Putting Your Career Where Your Heart Is’ and ‘Minding Your Dog Business: A Practical Guide to Business Success for Dog Professional’s.  A highly-sought after speaker, Veronica returns to Australia having spoken at two previous Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia conferences to rave reviews. She is the former Director of Behavior & Training for the San Francisco SPCA.
 
Key themes include:
·       The latest research on dog behaviour and cognition
·       The value of the human-animal bond for health and happiness
·       Best practices in positive, reward-based training techniques
·       New strategies for preventing dog bites in children
·       Advice on living with and caring for companion animals.
 
The conference schedule consists of two programs, both of which are open to the general public and animal industry professionals alike:
 
Friday 7 April: ‘From a dog’s point of nose’- an evening with Dr Alexandra Horowitz, where she will share how dog owners can use the insights from her extensive research into dogs’ emotions to better understand the dog’s point of view.
 
Drinks, canapés, and a chance to have copies of ‘Inside of a Dog’ or ‘Being a Dog’ signed by Dr Horowitz herself. (Books will be available for sale at the event).
 
Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 April: ‘Inside of a Dog’- an engaging and informative conference for dog lovers, dog trainers, vets, pet and animal industry professionals. Keynote speaker Dr Horowitz will be joined by a high calibre line up of local and international animal behaviourists, trainers, researchers and authors. The conference is also eligible for Continuing Professional Development accreditation points.
 
Whether you are a dog lover, a dog trainer, a vet or a professional in the pet or animal industries, the 2017 Delta Institute Dog Behaviour Conference will help you to develop a better relationship with dogs – your own or your clients’ - by understanding and appreciating ‘What’s inside a dog’s head”.
 
For more details on the 2017 Delta Institute Dog Behaviour Conference and to book tickets, visit www.deltainstitute.edu.au/conference
Tickets for the Friday cost $99
Tickets for the 2 days Conference start at $595
 
-Ends-
 
 
Issued by QUAY Communications on behalf of the Delta Institute
For more information, high-res images or to arrange an interview with Dr Alexandra Horowitz or Robin Simpson from the Delta Institute, please contact:
 
·       QUAY Communications, Emma Norgrove, M: 0499 688 001, T: 029386 9161
·       QUAY Communications, Cheryl Pettinau, M: 0424 157 714, T: 02 9386 9161
 
 
About Delta Institute
The Delta Institute is Delta Society’s research and training organisation, focusing on research into companion animal behavior and the human-animal bond and offering nationally recognized courses for the pet industry, including dog trainers, dog walkers, dog groomers, veterinarians and veterinary nurses. Delta Institute also runs regular seminars for companion animal owners.
www.deltainstitute.edu.au