920 - Dana Zinn
Advanced Handling to Emphasize Joy and Drive in the Search with Dana Zinn
Dates: March 7 & 8, 2026
Location: FDSA Ranch in Petaluma
Dana joins us to bring her knowledge and first-hand experience in regard to more advanced handling and training concepts to support a truly dog-driven search.
- How can we work with our dogs when confronted with complicated scent pictures, and how do we assess whether they really need help?
- How do we train to build resilience for moments in trials when we choose to take over?
- What are our handling options when we want to make a suggestion?
- What is “proofing” and is it a necessary training tool?
- What should we do when our hide placements don’t go as planned? How long should we let our dog work?
These are just some of the things we will question and examine in this fun-filled and educational 2-day workshop. Dana will use video examples, and video review from live working teams, to facilitate the best learning possible. This will be an open forum for questions, lively discussions, and deep thoughts. You will leave with your minds full and excited to train and trial with your best friend and search partner!
BEFORE REGISTERING, PLEASE READ ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
Schedule:
Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Lunch breaks on your own, please plan to bring a lunch, local eateries are ~15 minutes away.
Fees:
- $165.00 - Audit Saturday Only (there is no Sunday-only option)
- $285.00 - Audit Saturday & Sunday
- $100.00 - Additional Working Spot Fee - At the time of initial registration, participants will pay the 2-day audit workshop fee. If a team is selected for a one-day working spot, they will then pay the additional working spot fee.
Working Spot Requirements:
Please read carefully to ensure that you and your dog will enjoy this experience.
- You MUST be willing to attend as an auditor for both days to be considered for a working spot. If your dog is chosen, we will assign the day your dog will work and you will audit the other day.
- Working dog teams will be selected based on their skill level and an effort to show a variety of dogs and styles for the learning benefit of all participants.
- Dogs not chosen this time around will form a Wait List in case a selected dog has to cancel.
- Dogs should be resilient to challenging environments, have strong odor obedience, and be comfortable being watched by a large group of people.
- Dogs who have less experience or understanding of odor or who can become easily distracted by the environment would not be well suited for a working spot for this seminar.
- Additionally, dogs who are environmentally sensitive or reactive/aggressive with people or more than mildly reactive with other dogs would not be well suited for this type of event.
- Dogs MUST be able to stay quietly in their vehicles out of sight from their handlers. Please bring whatever your dog needs to be made comfortable and cool/warm enough in between working exercises.
- Dogs must be healthy on event day and should be current on all vaccinations required by law.
- Deadline for Working Spot consideration is 8 am February 14th. Working Teams will be notified a few days after Feb 14th by email including a link to submit the additional $100 payment within 48 hours of notification. To apply, please register for a 2-day audit spot first, and then complete the questionnaire here: Working Spot Application.
Cancellation Policy:
All cancellations for this event must be emailed to calongi@marinhumane.org. Cancellations received before 9am pacific February 14, 2026 will receive a refund minus a 10% processing fee. Cancellations received between 9am pacific February 14, 2026 and 9am pacific February 28, 2026, will receive a 50% refund only if we can fill your spot from our waitlist. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after February 28th or 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.
NACSW CEUS: 4 each day
Video/Audio Policy: No video or audio taping please. Exceptions may be made for the working spot teams that want video of themselves for personal use only.
Location: FDSA Ranch in Petaluma, CA. The specific location address 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. 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.
If you have any questions about this event or would like to be put on the waitlist for an audit spot, please contact calongi@marinhumane.org. More information will be emailed to registered participants a few days prior to the event.
