We – Rachael, Andre, and Verena – just got back from Portland, Oregon, where we spend 4 days at ClickerExpo – a huge conference for clicker trainers, run by the Karen Pryor Academy, where all three of us studied. It was a truly amazing experience, spending four straight days surrounded by clicker trainers of all walks of life and experience levels.
We spent one full day doing chicken camp – in which we clicker trained chickens with Terry Ryan. This should be on every dog trainer’s bucket list. It’s an excellent way to brush up on your precision and timing, with a less forgiving animal than a dog.
Three days were then spend back to back in labs and seminars, with presenters like Kathy Sdao, Dr. Susan G. Friedman, Ken Ramirez, Michele Pouliot, Sarah Owings, Laura VanArendonk Baugh, Hannah Branigan, Jesus Rosales-Ruiz, and more.
I think it’s fair to say that we all came back better trainers – and teachers – than we were when we left.
Rachael, Verena, and Andre in Portland
Chicken Camp Attendees
Andre and his Chicken (Photography by: Marty Strausbaugh)
Terry Ryan & Verena
First Night of Expo Meet and Greet
Working with Chickens! (Andre on left, Rachael on right)
Andre, Verena, and Rachael with our Chickens