Trainer Retreat Information
Event Location: 1104 Ames Hill, Brattleboro VT
Please do not make any non-refundable reservations or payments for travel or lodging until we can confirm that we have enough participants to run the program. We will determine this at least 30 days prior to the first day of the program.
Cancellation Policy
Registrations are transferable.
Cancellations received in writing less than 7 days prior to the start of the event are not refundable
Cancellations received in writing 8-14 days prior to the event will receive a 50% refund
Cancellations received in writing 15-29 days prior to the event will receive a 75% refund
Cancellations received in writing more than 30 days prior to the event will receive a 100% refund
CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT LIST
Autumn is a lovely time to be in Vermont. It is New England and we could get snow, rain or unseasonal heat. Each day will be spent both inside and outside in a field or barn with animals.
- Raincoat
- Hat for sun/rain/warmth
- Sweaters/jacket for layering
- Warm socks
- Closed toed shoes or boots/comfortable for walking
- Mittens/gloves
- Notebook for use during training
- Computer/phone/camera (for note taking and documenting training mechanics)
- Water bottle (we have great water)
- Tick/insect repellant
Included: Beverages, snacks, 2 breakfasts and 1 lunch and 1 dinner will be provided. There is a refrigerator available if you want to bring your own food. There are shops in Brattleboro about a 15 minute drive away.
Lodging and Accommodation
The nearest city is Brattleboro Vermont. There are chain hotels in the area, a downtown hotel (The Latchis) and a variety of Air B&Bs in the area. Nearby neighboring towns include Guilford and Marlboro. The Blueberry Lodge is a nearby option for groups. It is available on both VRBO and AirBnB.
There are two bedrooms, each with a single bed, available in the ‘bunkhouse’ located at Lemon’s Hope/Training Matters. The rooms have access to a kitchen and bathroom with shower. During the day the kitchen and bathroom are used by other attendees of the event. These rooms are available for $50 per night. For more information or to reserve a room, contact Sara at sematters@gmail.com.
Food, Health & Safety
Please feel free to share any dietary restrictions, medical concerns, and your pronouns with us. We will do our best to make it possible for any-body to join us, based on the current facilities and property. Contact us with questions or requests.
Topics & Ideas
We welcome hearing from you about any topics you’d like to see addressed or explored or ideas for activities.
Waiver & Release
Please sign and return waiver to us. If you send a PDF please also bring original with you to the event. No changes may be made to content.
SCHEDULE
September 29, 2023 Friday
5:00-7:00pm -Meet & greet with introductions, and How We Train 101. Snacks will be provided
September 30, 2023 Saturday
8:30-9:30am Breakfast available
9:00am-10:30am- Ran and Stephanie from the Dog Behavior Institute will be presenting on data collection during training, why it’s important, how to do it, and how to use it.
10:30-10:45am Break
10:45am-12:15pm- Hands-on training with animals supervised by Ran and Stephanie focusing on data collection. Working in teams you’ll have the opportunity to train animals at the farm. You can start to put your new knowledge to work for you, and practice the unique mechanics for prompting, and reinforcement delivery each species requires. Staff and presenters will be available for coaching during hands-on training.
12:15-1:30pm- Lunch. You are welcome to bring your own lunch, but we’ve also scheduled enough time for folks to head to the nearby Brattleboro Farmer’s Market where local produce, food, and gifts are available.
1:30-2:45-Portable Operant Conditioning Lab (PORTL). This table top game developed initially by trainer Kay Laurence and produced by Jesus Rosales-Ruiz, provides a hands-on opportunity to observe the principles of shaping and reinforcement, in action.
3:00-4:30m-More hands-on with animals. Continue working on a training plan with your animal, watch other people train, get coached on new skills.
5:00-7:00pm- Dinner will be served at the farm. We’ll order out for pizza, build a fire, listen for coyotes and owls.
October 1, 2023 Sunday
8:30-9:30am- Breakfast available
9:00-10:45am- Trauma assumed training. What does it mean to be force-free and avoiding the use of aversives in training. How do the concepts of using a constructional approach and non-linear contingency analysis fit into our training practices.
11:00am-12:30pm- Animal time!
12:30-1:15pm- Lunch will be served onsite.
1:15-2:15- What are you trying to say? Using the most behaviorally accurate language to describe and explain what we are doing to help others be more efficient and ethical trainers.
2:30-4:00pm- Animal time!
4:00-4:30pm- Closing & farewells til next time.
This schedule is subject to change. We are happy to accommodate the specific interests and questions of participants.
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