MET Conference 2022

Second year of the international online conference for dog lovers and dog trainers took place on April 2nd and 3rd, 2022. Users from 29 countries have joined us. The conference was approved by CCPDT organization.

Thank you for your thought-provoking questions, sharing your experiences and for the wonderful feedback from around the world.

speakers at met conference 2022

Program

Saturday

What does aggressive behavior mean and why does it arise? What does it actually look like? We will look at what we can do to improve or solve dog aggression, especially towards other dogs. All this through practical and simple procedures using behavioral sciences.

In Martina Klimešová’s lecture, we will learn more about inner motivation: how to develop it and what its benefits are. We will also learn about the motivation of the relationship: how to work on it and what its pros are. We will also talk about how inner motivation can compare to the motivation of a treat or a toy.

Regarding the criteria, Martina will help you decide how to choose a system given the age and breed of the dog. We set different criteria for working breeds and for “non-working” breeds as well as for puppies and beginners versus experienced dogs. We will also explain how to work on multiple criteria during one lesson but still focus only on one criterion at a time.

Martina will share with us why it‘s important to take care of your dog‘s nails and how to do this so that this is not a traumatic event for everyone involved. We‘ll learn what tools and techniques you can use to cut nails and why. Martina will also cover tips for those who are already fighting to cut their dog‘s nails and want to improve the experience – she will explain the most common mistakes that owners make in such a situation and how you can avoid them, as well as how to fix the damaged already done.

The key to working with dog aggression is simplicity. In his lecture, Mike will highlight the simple concepts and techniques he uses in his daily work with clients and their aggressive dogs. Mike will present real case studies, including videos that show successful solutions to problems.

We will be introduced to the stories of dogs who in the past were aggressive, especially towards people. Mike will then show us his individual steps from safety through training and management to behavior change.

Sunday

During this lecture, we will look at how to solve problem behavior in a non-aversive and effective way. Chirag analyzes various problem behaviors of dogs and shows practical solutions that you can try at home. From pulling on a leash to dogs who don’t want to return things, jumping, barking, not coming back when called, and more.

Obedience is an amazing dog sport that is based on close cooperation between dogs and humans. Dogs perform various obedience exercises. During tests, judges look for a satisfied and willing expression on the dog, and handlers are not allowed to use classic rewards such as food or toys. As a result, the focus of the training from the beginning is on making sure the dog enjoys the exercises and training with his owner.

The basis of comfortable mutual coexistence between owner and dog is on their relationship, mutual understanding and being able to meet the needs of the dog while still maintaining training control. Obedience can improve this coexistence, and Julka will show us how to do it in her lecture. Specifically, we will learn how breed can impact training, when it is a good time for training, what specific exercises we can use in everyday life, what are supportive exercises, what helped Julia in her training, and much more. 

Dogs are social animals, but they often do not have the opportunity to develop that part of them sufficiently, to improve on it, to improve their confidence and then gain freedom in their relationships. Socialization training solves this problem. Properly managed training allows dogs to build social skills and then be sociable throughout their lives. When common situations with dogs or people do not go in the right direction, well-chosen methods can help. In his lecture, Turid Rugaas will focus on modern and ethical socialization practices.

The panicked fear of loneliness deeply affects the lives of many dogs, their owners and their environment. Separation anxiety in dogs is a very common problem that is difficult to solve. In her lecture, world-renowned expert in this area, Malena DeMartini, will describe the most common symptoms and especially how to work with dogs dealing with it.

Program of the MET conference 2024

Times are stated in GMT / UTC +1 time zone (Prague, Czechia). Link to the time converter HERE.

%MET_PRAGUE_TIME%

SATURDAY

  • 09:00 – 11:30 Simon Prins: Advanced Techniques in Animal Training and Technology Integration
  • 11:30 – 12:30 Pause (1 hour)
  • 12:30 – 15:15 Jana Radošovská: Dental care: An in-depth and practical guide
  • 15:15- 15:30 Pause (15 minutes)
  • 15:30 – 18:00 Veronika Uhlířová: Conscious Care of Dogs‘ Musculoskeletal System
  • 18:00 – 18:30 Pause (30 minutes)
  • 18:30 – 21:00 Ken Ramirez: Stimulus Control, Generalization, and Desensitization – How to be Successful

SUNDAY

  • 09:00 – 11:30 Victoria Stilwell: Building Your Dog’s Resilience YOUR TIME HERE
  • 11:30 – 12:30 Pause (1 hour)
  • 12:30 – 15:00 Hannah Branigan: Revved-Up Reinforcement: Cultivating Drive in Any Dog YOUR TIME HERE
  • 15:00 – 15:15 Pause (15 minutes)
  • 15:15 – 15:45 David Mech interview: Pack leader, dominance and over 60 years of wolf research YOUR TIME HERE
  • 15:45 – 16:00 Pause (15 minutes)
  • 16:00 – 18:45 Ken Ramirez: Aggression Treatment: Comparison and Review. Most updated version YOUR TIME HERE
  • 18:45 – 18:55 Final word and information about the headliner of the MET 2025

Program MET konference 2024

SOBOTA 

  • 9:00 – 11:30 Simon Prins: Pokročilé techniky a technologie v tréninku
  • 11:30 – 12:30 Přestávka (1 hodina)
  • 12:30 – 15:15 Jana Radošovská: Péče o zuby, do hloubky a prakticky
  • 15:15 – 15:30 Přestávka (15 minut)
  • 15:30 – 18:00 Veronika Uhlířová: Vědomá péče o pohybový aparát psa
  • 18:00 – 18:30 Přestávka (30 minut)
  • 18:30 – 21:00 Ken Ramirez: Jak úspěšně na rušivky, generalizaci a desenzitizaci 

NEDĚLE

  • 9:00 – 11:30 Victoria Stilwell: Budování psí odolnosti
  • 11:30 – 12:30 Přestávka (1 hodina)
  • 12:30 – 15:00 Hannah Branigan: Našlápnuté posílení. Jak zvýšit „drive“ u každého psa
  • 15:00 – 15:15 Přestávka (15 minut)
  • 15:15 – 15:45 Rozhovor – David Mech: Vůdce smečky, dominance a přes 60 let výzkumu vlků
  • 15:45 – 16:00 Přestávka (15 minut)
  • 16:00 – 18:45 Ken Ramirez: Práce s psí agresí. Přehled a srovnání přístupů
  • 18:45 – 18:55 Závěrečné slovo a představení hlavního řečníka MET 2025