The Pet Professional Guild - News February 2021

February 2021: Issue 62

STOP PRESS! BARKS News is now available as a podcast! Listen here.

Geek Week 2021

More details to follow soon!

PPG and the New Netflix Dog Training Show

A number of people have reached out to PPG regarding the new Netflix Dog Training Show that is due to air on February 24, 2021. There is much concern about the show, the featured trainer and the methods being used.

The Pet Professional Guild has a Position Statement on Reality TV Dog Training that can be viewed in full on the PPG website.

Help us to educate the pet owning community about the damaging effects of punitive pet training methods by taking a few short actions.

    Share our Facebook post and the Position Statement as far and wide as you can.

    Download the Position Statement and post it across your social media platforms.

    Sign and share this petition that has been set up.

    Reach out to Netflix and share the science and facts supporting the use of pet-friendly training methods.

February Cat Behavior Call-In Lounge

Join this month’s All About Cats Call-In Lounge on Zoom. The Lounge is open to all PPG members. Please check the PPG All About Cats Facebook group for further details.

Upcoming Facebook Live Sessions

Chat Chuckle and Learn Sessions with PPG president Niki Tudge - save the dates!

Friday, February 19, 2021 / 3 p.m. (ET):

Sara Berry McLoudrey will be chatting about dog training and behavior consulting.

Friday, March 12, 2021 / 3 p.m. (ET):

Lisa and Brad Waggoner will be chatting about their prison dog program, which focuses on the rehabilitation of detainees by training their dogs using positive reinforcement training techniques.

Friday, March 19, 2021 / Noon (ET):

Dr. Dorothy Heffernan will be chatting about equine training.

Friday, March 26, 2021 / Noon (ET):

Alex Pietraszko, head of marketing for PPG corporate partner Animals Courses Direct, will be chatting about their programs and what they are currently working on.

Friday, April 2, 2021 / Noon (ET):

Kamal Fernandez will be chatting dogs, training, and catching us up on all the fun stuff he is working on.

Friday, April 23, 2021 / Noon (ET):

Victoria Stilwell of Positively will be chatting all things "positive."

Do you have something you’d like to share? Join Niki Tudge in one of our Facebook Live sessions! Just fill out this short form to get it scheduled and share your knowledge and experience with PPG members and supporters. The link is also available in the member area of the PPG website.

Check PPG Members' Facebook group for further details and to join live sessions.

Take a Sneak Peek at March BARKS

If you’re a BARKS subscriber, you can now check out the full contents list of the March issue (above, left) in your member area of the BARKS website.

If you’re not yet a BARKS member, sign up today for your free lifetime digital subscription and get instant access to the January issue (above, right), as well as all the back issues as far as 2014.

Get Your Article Featured in BARKS!

BARKS from the Guild, PPG’s bimonthly official trade publication, is looking for new writers to contribute on both a regular and an ad hoc basis. BARKS is all about pet professionals sharing their individual knowledge and experience with others as we work to grow the force-free community and spread the message. BARKS’ online audience is comprised tens of thousands of pet professionals and pet guardians all over the world; being featured in BARKS is great for your business, for your fellow pet professionals, and for the clients and pets we serve! Please read the BARKS FAQs page for more information on submitting articles or contact the editor for further details.

BARKS Podcasts are now available on Anchor, from where you can select your preferred app to listen any time or download. Make sure you follow BARKS Podcasts on whichever app you choose so you can stay updated with new releases.

Latest Podcasts:

Join Niki Tudge as she chats to:

BARKS Podcast with Debra Millikan of PPG and Lucie Malouin of Complètement Canin in Québec, Canada about the Pet Professional Accreditation Board – navigating your new credential and what do you need to know (February 5, 2021).

BARKS Podcast with Leslie McDevitt about the upcoming virtual event Reactive to Relaxed: Next Steps in Control Unleashed (February 5, 2021).

BARKS Podcast with Claire Staines of Lothlorien Dog Services about all things UK dog training and behavior (January 22, 2021).

Listen to earlier BARKS podcasts.

Upcoming Live Webinars:

Friday, February 19 / 2 p.m. EST

Planning Your First Facebook Ads Campaign. Presented by Josh Boutelle CTBC CSAT

Monday, February 22 / 1 p.m. EST

Business Planning Basics IV: The Pitch. Presented by Joan Hunter Mayer

Monday, March 8 / 2 p.m. EST

Incorporating Pig Training and Behavior into Your Practice. Presented by Tabitha Davies

Monday, March 8 / 5 p.m. EST

A Virtual “Reactive to Relaxed: Next Steps in Control Unleashed”. Presented by Leslie McDevitt

Discounted Webinars:

PPG is offering the following selected webinars at a discount this month - each webinar is just $15:

To Spay or Not to Spay – That is the Question - Dr. Jessica Hekman

Lining up the How, What and Why of Training - Alexandra Kurland

Sufferin’ Succotash! Why is My Cat Aggressive? - Dr. Lynn Honeckman

How to Build A Puppy: Early Development 0-63 Days - Suzanne Clothier

To Click or Not to Click - The "How to Train" Question - Frania Shelley-Grielen

In Case You Missed It: 2021 Workshops Update

Reactive to Relaxed: Next Steps in Control Unleashed with Leslie McDevitt

Now taking place virtually on March 8, 10 and 12, 2021 – three events with 6 hours of education!

1. Pattern Games - March 8, 2021 / 5 p.m. ET.

2. Look at That - March 10, 2021 / 5 p.m. ET.

3. Cooperative Counter Conditioning - March 12, 2021 / 5 p.m. ET.

Your PORTL to Shaping with Mary Hunter

New dates are April 9-10, 2022.

An Introduction to the Neuroscience of Dog Training and Behavior with Dr. Kathy Murphy

No alternative dates. Refunds are available.

Please contact Sharon Nettles for further information about refunds and transfers.

In Case You Missed It: PPG COVID Support Webinars

COVID is still impacting many of us, our daily lives, and our ability to conduct business. To help support its members, PPG has delivered a number of COVID support webinars… with more in the works.

In Case You Missed It: PPAB Application Fee Waiver Extended

The Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB) has extended its application and submissions fee waiver until July 31, 2021.

Apply today and save:

Canine Training Technician – All fees waived. Save $90

Professional Canine Trainer – All fees waived. Save $90

Professional Canine Behavior Consultant – All fees waived except the proctored online examination. Save $115

If you hold an existing credential and are thinking twice about renewing, now is the time to transfer it! Save the application fee of $50 and all other submission fees until July 31, 2021.

Discount codes are available in your member area.

In Case You Missed It: Survey for UK Guardians of Dogs with Behavior Problems

If you have sought advice, in the UK, for a behavior problem with your dog in the last two years, MSc student Julie Daniels at the University of Edinburgh needs your help with some important research and would like to invite you to participate in a short online survey of your experience of the behavior consultation process, and the factors that led you to follow (or not) the treatment plan afterwards.

The survey will close on March 26, 2021.

Member Brags

Two dogs from California just set the world record for most tricks performed in a minute. Congratulations to Emily Larlham (above, with her five dogs) of Dogmantics in San Diego, California who has also spoken at many PPG events!