Pet tech and dog training are in a relationship and it’s getting serious — so much so that an entire conference was created to introduce and familiarize trainers with all the new positive training aids developed to assist and reinforce learning, and keep bored, home alone dogs from going to the dark side.
What Happens When Trainers, Techies, and Pet Parents Meet?
The Pet Tech Conference gives attendees a chance to experience and learn about new technologies available, and how they are changing the way we work with animals.
“In the next couple of years, you’re going to see a significant increase in the product offerings in the pet industry that are leveraging these new technologies,” says Dr. David Roberts, assistant professor of computer science at North Carolina State University and conference speaker. “These types of products are really going to increase our bonds with our companions, as well as help us communicate and understand them and improve our relationships with them.”
It’s now possible to reduce barking and separation anxiety behaviors using positive methods when you’re not home! The Pet Tutor with its reliable smart remote system is ready to help you help your dog. This news must come as a great relief to so many. Behaviors like these are not only the cause of much sadness and confusion for dogs and their families, but for many it leads to a final trip to the dog pound.
Already a very useful tool for some difficult behaviors, the Pet Tutor also functions as an interactive playmate, and turns dinner time into an exercise session. Is Pet Tutor really a pet nanny?
Dr Jean Donaldson, founder and director of The Academy for Dog Trainers, the “Harvard of Dog Trainers”, discussed how to incorporate technology into training, something she has been doing for several years now with her two-year virtual dog training course. She addressed virtual training techniques and how to help clients gain important precision in timing skills when reinforcing learning at home.
Expanding on timing and motor skills, Jennifer Cattet, Ph.D, scientist, animal behaviorist and writer for Smart Animal Training Systems, the conference sponsor, points out in her recap that Dr Sophia Yin likened animal training to a sport. In sports, Yin said most coaches rely on video for objective feedback. Video slows the process down and allows you to study what’s going on with the dog and observe how your skills are affecting the dog’s performance. Coach’s Eye is an app made specifically for this purpose.
And That’s A Wrap on Pet Tech and Dog Training
Just a few more products presentations made during the conference, each one definitely worth a look:
This Conference looks like the start of something big for positive training with useful new technology-based tools contributing to behavior modification, play, mental stimulation, training reinforcement and exercise. Technology seen here could save lives, and that’s serious. It can also enrich the days for dogs who spend half their lives home alone. Either way, it’s a great gift! There are some very useful applications here — I wonder what they’ll come up with in 2015!
How about you? Do you use any tech devices to engage your dog while you’re not home? Have you had success? I’ve been lucky with my dog, then again, working from home doesn’t give him much of a chance to need anything =) If you had a free choice, which of those items above would you like to have for your dog(s)?
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