Seminars & Events

910 - Agility Fun Match

Novice Agility Fun Match, May 17, 2025

10:00 am - 2:00 pm (check in at 9:30 am)

A Fun Match is intended for fun and to experience a trial-like atmosphere. Instructors will be available to act as a judge, but no scoring or prizes will be offered. This event is open to all dogs more than one year of age. Dogs must be able to do all equipment safely and be off leash within the fenced ring area. Toys, hand-delivered treats and lavish praise are encouraged in the ring.

Volunteering: Fun Match participants are encouraged to volunteer for various agility trial jobs (i.e. gate stewards, pole setters, leash runners, timing). We will mentor you in how to perform these jobs if you are new to the sport. Now is a great time to learn, since Agility Trials can only be run with volunteer help and it is expected that you volunteer for some portion of any trials you attend. Our goal is to help you learn in a stress-free environment, so you can help out with confidence at a real agility trial one day.

Entry Fees: $20 per dog for two runs, or $35 per dog for four runs (with the same dog). Each run is 90 seconds. Additional dogs per handler are allowed with a separate entry and fee. Entries close 2 days prior to the event or when entry limits have been met (no day-of entries).

Refund Policy: To request a refund, please email ohbehave@marinhumane.org. Requests for cancellations must be received via email at least 1 week prior to the event for a refund. All refunds are subject to a 10% processing fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations less than 1 week prior to the event, or for no-shows or excused dogs.

Jump Height and Run Selection: After registration, you will receive an email from athomason@marinhumane.org requesting your dog's jump height (4”, 8”, 12”, 16”, 20” and 24” only). If you have only registered for 2 runs, you will also be asked to choose which standard or jumpers runs you would like to run.

Event Schedule: Check in at 9:30 am, Course walking at 9:50 am, First Dog on the Line at 10:00 am.  Nested Standard Courses (runs 1 & 2) will be run first. After a short break and course change, nested Jumpers courses (runs 3 & 4) will be run.

Dogs Participating must be at least twelve months of age and healthy on event day and should be current on all vaccinations required by law. Please plan to crate in your car or bring your own crate to set-up on the grassy area in KD Park adjacent to the agility field. You will need to provide your own shade, crate and chair. Dogs will not be permitted to roam and must be crated when not running. Participants are responsible for the behavior of their dogs. The owner of each dog is solely responsible for having your dog ready when it is time to enter the ring. Please do not use flexi-leashes for walking dogs on event grounds. We ask everyone to allow dogs at least 6 feet of distance at all times.

If this event is sold out, please contact Annette at athomason@MarinHumane.org to be put on the wait list.

920 - NACSW Trial

Odor Recognition Test (ORT)

Winter dates tbd 

NW1/NW2 and NW3 Trials

Sept 20 & 21, 2025 in Novato, CA

Link to premium coming soon. Entries open August 4th.

920 - Sniff n Go - Petaluma

Sniff and Go in Petaluma

Location: FDSA Ranch in Petaluma, CA.  Specific location will be emailed to participants before the event.  Note: the property is spread out and hilly, so you may be required to walk long distances and/or up and down hills between your vehicle and search areas,  The property contains a variety of farm buildings, livestock, and related distractions. Expect to navigate uneven terrain, dirt, mud, brick, gravel, as well as uneven surfaces, stairs, etc. Please consider whether this is feasible if you have mobility challenges. 

Fees: $50 per dog for four searches. Note: A variety of searches will be offered and will approximate a trial environment but may not meet all competition requirements. Runs may be done blind or with known hide locations, handler's choice. Additional dogs may be run by the same handler with a separate entry and fee, but the hide locations will not change.

Schedule: Participants will be assigned a specific arrival time. More information including location, waivers, run-order and check-in time will be emailed at least 2 days prior to the event. You will run all of your searches back-to-back and then depart the facility. Volunteers will be available to act as a judge, but no scoring or prizes will be offered. Participants may request as much or as little help as needed during the search; this is a training opportunity not a trial!  Searches may be split between 2 to 4 "judges" and run concurrently.

Dogs Participating: Dogs must be crated in cars when not working, please be prepared with your own shade and water. There is no specific reactive dog parking but we ask everyone to allow all dogs at least 8 feet of distance at all times. Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash when not searching. Please only use the designated potty areas, and do not wander the property.

Restrooms: There is a porta potty available. 

If you would like to be put on the waitlist, please contact ohbehave@marinhumane.org.

940 Reactive Dog Camp Audit Spot

Reactive Dog Camp: Register for an Audit All-Access Pass
May 30-June 1, 2025, Petaluma
A 3-day intensive at FDSA Ranch with Amy Cook, Ph.D., Karen Deeds, CDBC, and Sophie Liu, DVM
Hosted by Marin Humane and FDSA Ranch

Barking, lunging, growling, jumping at the end of the leash, fixating, refusing food, ignoring well-known cues, all because a dog or other trigger comes into sight…is this your dog?

We describe this behavior as reactivity, and no matter where you are on your training journey we invite you to join us for Reactive Dog Camp, a three-day intensive at FDSA Ranch in Petaluma with three leading experts in dog reactivity. Walk away with new tools, a deeper understanding of your dog’s behavior, and the strength of a community.

Presenters

• Amy Cook, Ph.D., is the founder and creator of the Play Way. She has been training dogs for nearly 25 years and has been specializing in the rehabilitation of shy and fearful dogs for over 15 years.
• Karen Deeds, CDBC, opened Canine Connection in Dallas (now Memphis) in 1994. She’s worked with assistance dogs, sport and competition dogs, and shelters and rescues, and now specializes in dog fear, anxiety, and aggression.
• Sophie Liu, DVM, is a veterinarian and owner of Oakland Canine Concierge. She completed her behavior medicine residency at San Francisco SPCA and maintains a focus on evidence-based, compassionate, and practical training.

Event Schedule

May 30-June 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Each day includes three lab sessions with Amy Cook, Karen Deeds, and Sophie Liu (list of topics below), during which working teams learn hands-on with the presenters. Some labs are inside the training building, others are outside. The days wrap with a lecture diving deeper into topics of training and support for reactive dogs.

Lab & Lecture Topics

Audit All-Access Pass Info

If your dog isn’t ready for a working spot or you’re just here to learn, we have a limited number of audit spots for humans only. Observe your choice of labs and lectures.

Details to Chew On

• Continuing Education Units will be available for this event. Details to come.
• Need a place to stay? Here is a list of area hotels.
• Lab sessions will be held at various locations on the ranch, some requiring walking uneven and hilly terrain.
• Questions about this event? Please contact Marisa Walker, mwalker@marinhumane.org or 415-588-0159.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellation requests must be emailed to ohbehave@marinhumane.org. Cancellations received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, May 16, 2025 will receive a refund minus a 10% processing fee. Cancellations received after 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, May 16, 2025 will not be refunded. No refunds will be issued for no-shows. This cancellation and refund policy applies to participants that must withdraw for any reason including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency, and personal or work-related reasons.

940 Reactive Dog Camp Lectures-Only Pass

Reactive Dog Camp: Register for a Lectures-Only Pass
May 30-June 1, 2025, Petaluma
A 3-day intensive at FDSA Ranch with Amy Cook, Ph.D., Karen Deeds, CDBC, and Sophie Liu, DVM
Hosted by Marin Humane and FDSA Ranch

Barking, lunging, growling, jumping at the end of the leash, fixating, refusing food, ignoring well-known cues, all because a dog or other trigger comes into sight.

We describe this behavior as dog reactivity, and invite you to take a deeper dive into training and supportive tools available to dogs, handlers, trainers, and veterinarians who work with reactivity.

Presenters

• Amy Cook, Ph.D., is the founder and creator of the Play Way. She has been training dogs for nearly 25 years and has been specializing in the rehabilitation of shy and fearful dogs for over 15 years.
• Karen Deeds, CDBC, opened Canine Connection in Dallas (now Memphis) in 1994. She’s worked with assistance dogs, sport and competition dogs, and shelters and rescues, and now specializes in dog fear, anxiety, and aggression.
• Sophie Liu, DVM, is a veterinarian and owner of Oakland Canine Concierge. She completed her behavior medicine residency at San Francisco SPCA and maintains a focus on evidence-based, compassionate, and practical training.

Lecture Schedule

May 30-June 1, lectures 3:45 to 5 p.m. daily

At the conclusion of each day of Reactive Dog Camp, presenters will lecture on topics offering a deep dive and opportunity for questions. Click here for detailed descriptions.

• Friday, May 30: Amy Cook, Ph.D., presents on the Play Way
• Saturday, May 31: Karen Deeds, CDBC, presents on Predictability and Choice
• Sunday, June 1: Sophie Liu, DVM, presents on Behavior-Modifying Drugs and Responsible Use in Dogs
• Bonus Roundtable Thursday, May 29, at 6 p.m.: Amy Cook, Karen Deeds, and Sophie Lui will kick off the weekend with an informal roundtable at Marin Humane

Details to Chew On

• Continuing Education Units will be available for this event. Details to come.
• A Zoom option will be available for lectures, or you may join the event in person at FDSA Ranch.
• Questions about this event? Please contact Marisa Walker, mwalker@marinhumane.org or 415-588-0159.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellation requests must be emailed to ohbehave@marinhumane.org. Cancellations received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, May 16, 2025 will receive a refund minus a 10% processing fee. Cancellations received after 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, May 16, 2025 will not be refunded. No refunds will be issued for no-shows. This cancellation and refund policy applies to participants that must withdraw for any reason including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency, and personal or work-related reasons.

940 Reactive Dog Camp Working Spot

Reactive Dog Camp: Register for a Working Spot
May 30-June 1, 2025, Petaluma
A 3-day intensive at FDSA Ranch with Amy Cook, Ph.D., Karen Deeds, CDBC, and Sophie Liu, DVM
Hosted by Marin Humane and FDSA Ranch

Barking, lunging, growling, jumping at the end of the leash, fixating, refusing food, ignoring well-known cues, all because a dog or other trigger comes into sight…is this your dog?

We describe this behavior as reactivity, and no matter where you are on your training journey we invite you to join us for Reactive Dog Camp, a three-day intensive at FDSA Ranch in Petaluma with three leading experts in dog reactivity. Walk away with new tools, a deeper understanding of your dog’s behavior, and the strength of a community.

Presenters

• Amy Cook, Ph.D., is the founder and creator of the Play Way. She has been training dogs for nearly 25 years and has been specializing in the rehabilitation of shy and fearful dogs for over 15 years.
• Karen Deeds, CDBC, opened Canine Connection in Dallas (now Memphis) in 1994. She’s worked with assistance dogs, sport and competition dogs, and shelters and rescues, and now specializes in dog fear, anxiety, and aggression.
• Sophie Liu, DVM, is a veterinarian and owner of Oakland Canine Concierge. She completed her behavior medicine residency at San Francisco SPCA and maintains a focus on evidence-based, compassionate, and practical training.

Event Schedule

May 30-June 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Each day includes three lab sessions with Amy Cook, Karen Deeds, and Sophie Liu (list of topics below), during which working teams learn hands-on with the presenters. Some labs are inside the training building, others are outside. The days wrap with a lecture diving deeper into topics of training and support for reactive dogs.

Lab & Lecture Topics

Working Spot Info

• Dog+handler teams experienced with training and managing the dog's reactivity using a positive reinforcement approach.
• There will be group work with other dogs in a well-managed and distanced training setup, as well as human observers. Please make sure your dog can work in this environment. Audit spots are available for humans whose dogs may not be comfortable but still want to learn.
• Dogs must be able to settle in the car or crate indoors when resting or out of turn.
• Not sure if your dog is ready for a working spot? Contact Marisa Walker, mwalker@marinhumane.org or 415-558-0159.

Details to Chew On

• Continuing Education Units will be available for this event. Details to come.
• Need a place to stay? Here is a list of area hotels.
• Dogs must be healthy on event day and should be current on all vaccinations required by law. 
• Handlers must be able to safely manage their dogs and walk uneven and hilly terrain.
• Questionnaires will be emailed to working spot registrants the week of April 14.
• Have a question about this event? Please contact Marisa Walker, mwalker@marinhumane.org or 415-588-0159.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellation requests must be emailed to ohbehave@marinhumane.org. Cancellations received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, May 16, 2025 will receive a refund minus a 10% processing fee. Cancellations received after 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, May 16, 2025 will not be refunded. No refunds will be issued for no-shows. This cancellation and refund policy applies to participants that must withdraw for any reason including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency, and personal or work-related reasons.

940 Reactive Dog Roundtable

Reactive Dog Roundtable
May 29, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m., Novato
With Amy Cook, Ph.D., Karen Deeds, CDBC, and Sophie Liu, DVM

Barking, lunging, growling, jumping at the end of the leash, fixating, refusing food, ignoring well-known cues, all because a dog or other trigger comes into sight…is this your dog?

We describe this behavior as reactivity, and no matter where you are on your training journey we invite you to join us for this roundtable discussion with three leading experts in the field of dog reactivity. Whether you’re attending Reactive Dog Camp May 30-June 1, the full camp is beyond your schedule, or you’re new to working with a reactive dog, come listen, learn, and ask questions of these incredible teachers.

Presenters

• Amy Cook, Ph.D., is the founder and creator of the Play Way. She has been training dogs for nearly 25 years and has been specializing in the rehabilitation of shy and fearful dogs for over 15 years.
• Karen Deeds, CDBC, opened Canine Connection in Dallas (now Memphis) in 1994. She’s worked with assistance dogs, sport and competition dogs, and shelters and rescues, and now specializes in dog fear, anxiety, and aggression.
• Sophie Liu, DVM, is a veterinarian and owner of Oakland Canine Concierge. She completed her behavior medicine residency at San Francisco SPCA and maintains a focus on evidence-based, compassionate, and practical training.

Details to Chew On

• Lecture takes place at Marin Humane. A Zoom option will be available.
• No dogs, please.
• Questions about this event? Please contact Marisa Walker, mwalker@marinhumane.org or 415-588-0159.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellation requests must be emailed to ohbehave@marinhumane.org. Cancellations received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, May 16, 2025 will receive a refund minus a 10% processing fee. Cancellations received after 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, May 16, 2025 will not be refunded. No refunds will be issued for no-shows. This cancellation and refund policy applies to participants that must withdraw for any reason including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency, and personal or work-related reasons.