Dog Trainers Retreat
Helping dogs struggling with challenging environments
Join us for a weekend of support, collaboration, education, recreation and rejuvenation!
The emotional toll of working with challenging behavior along with the physical toll of navigating life on the planet today, has left many of us feeling overwhelmed and depleted. Networking and providing mutual aid and support through the development and nurturing of community is important now more than ever. Everyone interested in training is welcome! Owners, groomers, vets, techs, shelter and rescue staff will be inspired and delighted by the opportunity to learn more about behavior and spend time with animals at the sanctuary. They love this event as much as we do! Lemon’s Hope Sanctuary is located on 77 acres in Brattleboro, Vermont. Boston and Hartford are the nearest airports.
Regardless of where a dog has landed, they may be presenting with any number of unwanted behaviors. Even in the best of homes some will find it hard to behave in ways that don’t frustrate, scare or upset their owners, or other caregivers. Understanding how to assess behavior and come up with realistic plans for training them is central to their success. There is no shortage of information about how to train a dog, and you need to be able to evaluate any method or protocol before deciding whether to use it. This event gives you the opportunity to ask questions and dig deeper into evidence-based training practices.
In addition to being located in a sublime location our weekend will include opportunities to; work on training mechanics with trusted others and resident animals, educational presentations, thought-provoking discussions, and fun outdoor activities. Presentations will include information about the use and risks of escape extinction and analyses of assent and choice protocols, and other topics of importance to trainers. We include PORTL sessions to help you develop a deeper understanding of the shaping and reinforcement process central to all training.
Regardless of where you are on your journey to be the best trainer, owner, caregiver or advocate you can be to positively impact the lives of owners and pets, this weekend has something for you. Our goal at Lemon’s Hope Sanctuary is to enthusiastically welcome everyone who is interested in learning more about the science of learning and behavior. Your hosts Sara Matters and Debbie Jacobs both share an interest in the science of Applied Behavior Analysis and how its use can be a game changer for even the most problematic behavior. Sara completed a Master’s certification program in ABA in addition to her Master’s in Animal Behavior. Debbie is the founder of this website and author of the popular A Guide To Living With & Training A Fearful Dog. Prior to the pandemic she worked as a Registered Behavior Technician with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other cognitive or developmental challenges.
Special Guest Presentations by Dr. Christine Calder, Dr. Sean Will & Maasa Nishimuta
Dr. Christine Calder DVM DACVB, is the Director of Behavior Educational Content at the Veterinary Information Network or VIN. She oversees all of Dr. Sophia Yin’s educational material including the Low Stress Handling®️ certification courses and programs. She has supported efforts that have taken Sophia’s foundational material to another level with cooperative care. Her passion is helping veterinarians become more confident treating and managing behavior cases, while also encouraging collaboration between veterinary and non-veterinary professionals (e.g. building care teams).
Dr. Sean Will & Maasa Nishimuta, MA teach various topics related to the knowledge, skills, and training techniques needed to solve behavioral challenges with animal companions and achieve meaningful goals in our training and lives with our animals. Sean Will earned a Ph.D. from Florida Tech while studying volunteer training procedures for animal shelters, teaching social behaviors to dogs, and increasing the adoptability of dogs in shelters. This research led to a dissertation on teaching volunteers how to train social behaviors to dogs in shelters to increase their chances of adoption. While earning an M.S. at the University of North Texas, Sean spearheaded the development of Constructional Affection under the instruction of Dr. Rosales-Ruiz, a training procedure that uses affection in the form of petting and gentle stroking as a reinforcer to teach social behaviors to dogs, and developed constructional shelter programs to increase efficiency in animal shelters.
Maasa Nishimuta studied under Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz and earned a master’s degree in behavior analysis from the University of North Texas (UNT). While studying at UNT, Maasa modified Constructional Affection for use with equines. In her master’s thesis, she studied the reinforcing effects of affection in the form of petting and gentle scratching with rescued equines.
Don’t miss out on this great in-person, hands-on training opportunity. Rediscover the joy of training, even the tough cases. Daily Schedule
Dates: June 13 & 14, 2026 (Check-in on the 13th opens at 8:00am, activities end 5pm June 14)
Cost: $375 Early bird discount available until April 30, 2026
REGISTER BY MARCH 1 AND RECEIVE ACCESS TO DEBBIE’S ONLINE COURSE THE ESSENTIALS OF ABA FOR SERIOUS ANIMAL TRAINERS: TRANSFORMING PROBLEM BEHAVIORS IN ANIMALS A $299 VALUE
Shelter staff $325
Regular price $425 May 1, 2026
Includes: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch
CEUs for CCPDT-pending
CEUs for KPA-pending
CEUs from IAABC-pending
CEUs from PPG-pending
“Thanks for my first opportunity to work with horses! I can’t wait to come back again and do more with them and other species.”
