Last month, I had the incredible opportunity to attend Clicker Expo, one of the largest dog training conferences in the world. Although I’ve participated in the virtual version every year since 2021, this was my first time experiencing it in person… and WOW, it absolutely did not disappoint.

The weekend kicked off with a welcome reception on Thursday evening that immediately set a fun, inspiring tone for what was to come. I connected with so many passionate professionals in the field, including members of the team at Our Companions Animal Rescue here in Connecticut. Their commitment to dog welfare and behavior aligns so closely with my own values, which made it especially meaningful to meet and get to know some of their staff.

Chirag Patel, giving a talk on choice and control in dog training — *Chirag Patel, giving his talk on choice and control*

Friday morning began bright and early with an opening talk from the legendary Ken Ramirez. I was first introduced to Ken’s work back when I was a marine mammal trainer, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to continue learning from him as I’ve transitioned into dog training.

From there, the weekend took off. I started day one listening to one of my favorite trainers, Chirag Patel, who delivered a powerful talk on choice and control. He reminded us how important it is for all beings, including dogs, to have agency, and shared practical ways we can incorporate this into our work to improve outcomes for both dogs and their humans. The day continued with an incredible lineup of speakers, and I wrapped it up with another favorite, Susan Friedman, whose perspective on compassion and its role in behavior work continues to shape how I approach training. I always learn something valuable from her. She’s been instrumental in my journey into behavior analysis.

Day one was long, but it flew by. By the morning of day two, I actually woke up before my alarm. I think my brain was itching for more! I carved out time for a much-needed Dunkin run (I was definitely “running on Dunkin” all weekend long!) before meeting up with colleagues for what ended up being one of my favorite talks of the entire conference.

Rick Hester from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo presented on enrichment and its critical role not just in training, but in overall animal welfare. His talk sparked so many ideas that I’m excited to implement with my own dogs and share with clients. It was a powerful reminder that enrichment isn’t extra. It’s essential.

The rest of day two was just as impactful. I watched Chirag Patel demonstrate his exceptional teaching skills, listened to Ken Ramirez and Susan Friedman engage in thoughtful discussions around complex and sometimes controversial topics in our field, and ended the day with practical, effective leash walking strategies from Kiki Yablon. I can’t wait to start using her approach to leash walking with my clients. They feel like they’ll not only improve results, but also make the training process more enjoyable for both dogs and their people.

By day three, the caffeine was starting to wear off, but man, my brain just couldn’t get enough. I had the chance to learn from Rick Hester again, and his insights gave me a lot to think about, especially in relation to my work with dogs experiencing separation anxiety. I walked away with new ideas and approaches I’ve already started to incorporate into my training plans. It was also a strong reminder that sometimes, simplifying things leads to the most meaningful results.

One of the most powerful parts of the conference was seeing the dogs themselves. So many incredible dogs demonstrated the impact of positive reinforcement training. They were walking calmly through busy halls filled with so many distractions (including LOTS of people and other dogs), and relaxing quietly alongside their owners during sessions. It was a beautiful, real-life example of what’s possible when we train with positive reinforcement.

Ken Ramirez wrapped up the weekend with an inspiring (and tear-jerking) talk about relationships with animals. It left me reflecting on the many animals I’ve had the privilege to build deep bonds with over the years (like Eggbert, pictured below. The bird who stole my heart!). It was the perfect closing to such a meaningful experience. I left feeling inspired, and while physically exhausted, energized in all the best ways.

This experience reinforced so many of my values: That when we know better, we do better, that science matters, that positive reinforcement is the way forward, and that all beings deserve choice and control. It also reminded me to slow down (a lifelong work in progress), to truly observe each dog as an individual, and to listen to what they’re communicating. When we allow dogs the space to say “no,” we often find they’re more willing to say “yes” and when we do that, the results speak for themselves.

With wags and aloha,

Cori Tufano- CPDT-KA, FDM, CSAT, FFCP

All of the Clicker Expo speakers, on stage, giving a round of applause during the closing talk

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