Join us as we delve into how reinforcement strategies (markers and reward placement), play, and arousal integrate into training the different exercises - including heeling. We will then explore competition readiness, putting these skills and others to work. The seminar will wrap up with a day of handlers choice working with each dog and handler whether it be teaching new skills or problem solving a training challenge!

Kamal Fernandez is a world-renowned dog trainer, coach, speaker and author, with over 33 years of experience in the world of dogs, dogs sports, and dog training. He has dedicated his life to promoting the use of reinforcement-based methodology to train competitive dogs, including Crufts winners. Kamal has competed at the highest level in dog sports and has represented multiple teams at the Crufts Championship. 

Kamal has been invited to speak at conferences and deliver seminars all over the world including the Lemonade Conference for FDSA and the Victoria Stillwell Bite Prevention Conference. He’s also made numerous television appearances, both in front of and behind the camera. He’s been a presenter at Clicker Expo, as well as a keynote speaker at multiple summits. He has coached the Australian and New Zealand Crufts World Cup teams, the IGP World team members, and an FCI Agility team member. Other career highlights include being a guest speaker on Susan Garret’s ‘Dogsthat’ podcast, being a keynote speaker at the IMPACT Conference, a Championship Obedience judge and Crufts competitor, and an instructor for the Fenzi Dog Sport Academy.

This program has been designed for the elite competition obedience handler and professional dog trainers. It has been approved for CEUs through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA 21 credits; CPDT-KSA 12 credits; CPDT-KSA 9 credits).