Geelong Obedience Dog Club
Proudly Presents ‘Kris Kotsopoulos’
“The Dynamics of a Focused and Harmonious Obedience Performance”
MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA 18th and 19th May 2013 - OBEDIENCE IN DRIVE
“The Dynamics of a Focused and Harmonious Obedience Performance”
Kris Kotsopoulos has been involved in Breeding and Training Dogs since 1981. He has worked with first-time dog owners to the most demanding Law Enforcement Canines and World Championship Competitors. Kris and his wife Tonia are breeders of Dobermanns and German Shepherds under the kennel name “Von Forell”. His dogs and training philosophies have been inherited into many training systems by competitors and Law Enforcement Agencies Worldwide.
Kris’s “Obedience in Drive” Workshop is designed to give you a clear directive of how dogs learn, what drives them, how to improve learning due to purposeful directives to shape behaviour for an Dynamic, Focused and Harmonious obedience performance. This is an opportunity to learn the latest cutting edge training systems to deliver a spirited animals on cue.
Having devoted the last 32 years of his life to the research, development and education of the working dog, paired with extensive work in the area of animal welfare, Kris has now expanded his professional horizons by sharing his knowledge with the community as a consultant for a range of government agencies, breed clubs and animal welfare groups.
Over the past three decades, Kris has travelled the globe in order to learn from the world’s best International trainers, breeders and animal behaviourists. As a result of his enthusiasm and dedication for greater knowledge, Kris has acquired an in-depth understanding of raising, developing and training dogs for a variety of purposes.
Through the skills and successes he has achieved, Kris has gained a sound understanding of what motivates animals to behave the way they do, and just as importantly, how to apply this knowledge to achieve specialised goals. Kris currently shares this knowledge by operating both National and International training programs, seminars and workshops, each individually tailored to meet the needs of the general community, other trainers and government agencies globally.
Kris has implemented a variety of learning systems ranging from basic family obedience, to the most demanding competition, police, prison and professional security animals. He is truly committed to breaking down barriers that exist for dogs and dog welfare in our community and believes that consultation with Breed Clubs, Animal Management Officers and Animal welfare groups will help extend this commitment of learning outcomes and his ultimate goal.
“Purposeful, meaningful relationships between handlers and their dogs to create Extraordinary Dogs and Extraordinary Handlers.”
Kris’s commitment to the dog world is further highlighted through his three companies:
Von Forell Kennels
An international provider of working dogs Dobermann & German Shepherds, Training Equipment, Premium Dry Dog Food and cutting edge training technologies. The company’s primary focus is the breeding of highly driven animals that are genetically orientated to be working service dogs and excellent family companions. www.vonforell.com
Detector Dogs Australia
A specialised consulting service that focuses on providing explosive and narcotic detection dogs specifically trained to meet the individual needs of government, business, private enterprises and the education sector. Detector Dogs Australia has been appointed to provide Explosive Detection services for the Port of Melbourne since 2008.www.detectordogs.com.au
K9 Security Service
A specialised security and consulting service that focuses on providing security dogs trained to meet the specific needs of government, business, private enterprise and educational sector assets. www.k9security.com.au
How To Achieve Precision Tracking With Your Dog
Kris is the author of this internationally acclaimed manual for teaching dogs the specialised skills of Competitive Tracking, Police Canine Tracking and Search and Rescue. www.precisiontrackingdogs.com
Kris is also a Co-founder of the National Dogs Trainers Federation - a representative and educational organisation for the dog training industry, which has now become the national representative body in Australia for dog trainers from all fields. The NDTF offers Australia’s only Government accredited, nationally recognised, dog trainer certification course, and by using Kris’s strong links and networks with other animal organisations, both nationally and internationally, Kris is able to assist with the development of formal policies, contribute to ongoing research in the area of canine training and behaviour, and further build on the necessary educational programs required to assert positive influence and bring about permanent change.
Some of the topics covered in this seminar:
Melbourne Australia 18th & 19th of May 2013.
In this 2 day intensive Obedience Performance Dog Training Seminar Kris will coach and work with you personally - 10 dogs from puppies to adult will be participating.
- Appropriate relationship between a dog and his handler
- Criteria of the Leader
- Positive Reinforcement and how it relates to drive
- Clicker Training - do’s and don’t
- Nurturing and development of your puppy 0 – 7 weeks - information for the breeder
- Puppy Development for success from Sevens Weeks to 12 months
- The Necessary Drives and Their Utilization and Development for Obedience
- Focus, Recall, Stand, sit, down, return to heel - all before any heeling is ever done and why
- The Proper association of a Competition Dog to His Training Field
- The Basic Components that Form All the Exercises In Obedience
- Strengthening the Components, the Locking of Positions
- Introduction of Negative Reinforcement by Leash Direction
- Developing Each Exercise by Linking the Basic Components – Back Chaining
- Balance of Expression, Speed, Attention, & Precision
- Balancing Motivation & Concentration
- Obedience - Basics to a High Level of Control
- Problem Solving in Training
- Importance of Preparation, Organization, Structure, & Discipline in Training
- The Development of a Daily Schedule to Weekly Plan to Monthly Tactic, To Yearly Strategy and more!!!
- Questions and answers all weekend and ongoing for all seminar attendees.
COURSE DETAILS
WHEN: 18th and 19th May 2013
START: 9am to 5pm Sat & Sun
WHERE: Geelong Obedience Club. Breakwater Road Breakwater.
WHAT TO BRING: Notebook, pen, seasonal training clothes, dogs & an open mind.
COST $440 per person - “Previous Von Forell Participants 15% Discount ” $370
Additional: This event is fully catered for - Please advise of any special dietary requirements.
Lodging available locally.
Expressions of interest, bookings or questions to be made by contacting Tina Button via email at Tina monlaird_kennels@hotmail.com or Kris info@vonforell.com
Kris Kotsopoulos phone 0418 348 804 or Tina Button phone 0414 363 556
Payment options will be sent by reply email on confirmation of booking info@vonforell.com
Kris Kotsopoulos phone 0418 348 804 or Tina Button phone 0414 363 556
Payment options will be sent by reply email on confirmation of booking info@vonforell.com
Looking forward to meeting you all for this exciting event
To book your participation please call now!
Telephone from Australia 03 5786 5388
Fax from Australia 03 5786 5277
International Calls +61 3 5786 53 88
International Faxes +61 3 5786 52 77
Postal PO Box 419 Greensborough 3088 Melbourne Australia
Internet
Personal Advice:
By telephone, e-mail or at our facilities, our specialists will answer any questions what ever they may be, and guide you in your choice of products and services.
All rights reserved.
Copyright © - Kris Kotsopoulos Von Forell International
No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.
Hi Kris,
ReplyDeleteI would like to thank you for the opportunity to be able to attend your workshop in Sydney Australia. I was very happy with what I came out of the seminar with, your easy going approach to the world of dog training and your open mind towards it really created a great learning atmosphere. It made me feel comfortable as a learner that you would and were answering my questions and made it clear that no question is a silly one unless unasked. This made me as a student still very new to the world of dog training comfortable and it made learning easier due to this relaxed approach.
I was happy with the way you were happy to pass on your knowledge in the seminar and not just give us the basics, I felt as if it was more in depth and that you revised so that people gained knowledge not just words. The beginning of the seminar on the first day was a little overwhelming, but when you went through it on the second day it all began to fall into place and my understanding of the many concepts that were being discussed grew.
I am also impressed with the way in which you were happy to work with everyone's dogs no matter what level the dog or handler was at and changed your approach to suit the individual needs of the dog and their handler to suit. Your professional approach to handling others dogs was great, I would feel comfortable with you handling and working any of my dogs because of that.
I am interested in the next seminar which will be run in Sydney 27th & 28th of April 2013 and was curious as to what topics you were planning on covering and will it be a further continuation on of the other seminar?
Thank you
Lainey Kemp NSW Australia
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHey Kris,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to thank you again for your book How to Achieve Precision Tracking. My dog and I just received a 98 in our first ever tracking trial - an FH1 at that! I must admit I was nervous because many of the big names in IPO were there watching. Once Ivy hit that first article, I knew she had it covered. The judge, Mike West (SVF) said she was a joy to watch. The other judge, Karoly Meszaros, told my trainer he should get me to help him with tracking! (I did lend him your book.) As we finished checking out, Ivy went over to the track layer and nudged him. We weren't sure whether she was saying, "nice track" or " I found you" but she got her point across and we all laughed.
Just as we teach every other exercise one piece at a time, you have broken tracking down into the basic pieces. The tests you provide for proofing the behavior show whether the dog truly understands exactly what he is tracking (my guess is many aren't sure whether it is decayed ground scent, human scent infused articles, or hot dogs.) They are also good confidence builders for handler and dog. We do "find the human scent" test just as a game sometimes.
I told you when I first read your book that the greatest resistance would be that it was too simple. There was a guy at the trial who had been a big fan of your book last fall. When he congratulated me, I told him we owed a lot to "our Aussie friend." He looked sad and said his trainer had told him all that was silly and would cause a high nose. He had gone back to scuffing and cutting hot dogs. Meanwhile his dog's tracking had gotten worse.I thought this was ironic because his trainer was just telling my trainer the day before that he had sent his giant schnauzer to Julio because he wouldn't track well. It so happens that Julio was the track layer at this particular trial. I told my friend to dig out his book and give it to his trainer and Julio and say that Ivy sent it.
Jay Tullis - USA
11th April 2013
ReplyDeleteA huge thank you for the fantastic 2 day seminar which was held at the German Shepherd Dog Association grounds in Perth on the 6th & 7th April 2013.
There was an attendance of around 50 enthusiasts and these included members from the German Shepherd, Rottweiler & Doberman clubs, plus of course others. The focus of the seminar was developing prey drive using a variety of stimulus and reward to gain superb results.
I have been involved as an obedience instructor for a number of years and by attending your seminar with an open mind, ready to learn, I came away from the seminar with a much better understanding of how to get the best from the animals under training. I am sure I can incorporate, into our training program, many of the training methods that you covered during the week-end. Kris, you have a very positive manner when talking to the group and your comments were always informative, concise and went straight to the point. The knowledge that you passed on to us will be of great benefit whether it is used in the show or obedience field.
There was no suggestion of using aggression or tagging while training and the emphasis was always about positive learning which in turn will allow your dog to perform to its best ability by wanting to do what you require to receive his reward.
Thank you again for a very positive week-end and I look forward to the next time you are over here in the West. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending your seminars to anyone who wants to improve the drive of their dog and who wants to get the best out of their dog.
Ian Marr, Life Member and President, German Shepherd Dog Association of WA
11th April 2013
ReplyDeleteA huge thank you for the fantastic 2 day seminar which was held at the German Shepherd Dog Association grounds in Perth on the 6th & 7th April 2013.
There was an attendance of around 50 enthusiasts and these included members from the German Shepherd, Rottweiler & Doberman clubs, plus of course others. The focus of the seminar was developing prey drive using a variety of stimulus and reward to gain superb results.
I have been involved as an obedience instructor for a number of years and by attending your seminar with an open mind, ready to learn, I came away from the seminar with a much better understanding of how to get the best from the animals under training. I am sure I can incorporate, into our training program, many of the training methods that you covered during the week-end. Kris, you have a very positive manner when talking to the group and your comments were always informative, concise and went straight to the point. The knowledge that you passed on to us will be of great benefit whether it is used in the show or obedience field.
There was no suggestion of using aggression or tagging while training and the emphasis was always about positive learning which in turn will allow your dog to perform to its best ability by wanting to do what you require to receive his reward.
Thank you again for a very positive week-end and I look forward to the next time you are over here in the West. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending your seminars to anyone who wants to improve the drive of their dog and who wants to get the best out of their dog.
Ian Marr, Life Member and President, German Shepherd Dog Association of WA
22nd April 2013
ReplyDeleteHi Kris,
RE: Obedience in Drive Workshop – Perth, Western Australia 6th and 7th April 2013
I would like to personally thank you for conducting the “Obedience in Drive” workshop and I would also like to extend my gratitude to Canine Education and Training (CET) for hosting this event. I don’t believe I can adequately express the value of attending your workshop.
Of course, I can expound the knowledge I have gained; the training tools and system of training were presented in a logical and informative manner. The practical demonstrations using a variety of dogs consolidated learning. However, your workshop delivered much more than its placard claimed.
While the subject content appeared to be directed at high level obedience for competition using high drive working dogs, I was amazed at the actual versatility of the workshop. You were able to explain and demonstrate dog training concepts in order to cater for attendee’s backgrounds, experience and requirements. Whether a breeder, pet dog owner, behaviourist, competitor or trainer, the information you provided was applicable and relevant.
However, the outstanding and undeniable highlight of the workshop was being witness to your dog training/handling approach. During the practical session, you accounted for the individual differences in each dog and made adjustments to training accordingly. You were genuinely humane, sensitive to the dogs’ needs and balanced in the way you approached each dog whilst still achieving incredible results.
I left your workshop tired, challenged and inspired! Thank you!
Cheers
Lina Femia-Moore
PS. Weeks later, I am still challenged and inspired, just not so tired
Hi Kris,
ReplyDeleteI have finished reading your book, "HOW TO ACHIEVE PRECISION TRACKING WITH YOUR DOG". I found it stimulated a far better understanding and reinforcement to many of the modules in my NDTF course materials, that I found that I probably did not fully appreciate at the time. As yet, I haven’t pursued Tracking as a skill, but plan to do so. I have dabbled with a couple of training sessions in the Tracking arena, but frankly, your Book provides far more common sense based information and motivational elements, not just for Tracking, but in the management of one’s beloved canine companion.
To me, your Book should be compulsory reading for NDTF students, and indeed, any Certificate III Canine Behavoural Management courses students. Your presentation of some difficult subjects is handled with sensitivity and common sense, while stimulating a need for such matters to be addressed more effectively at the political and administrative levels.
I am looking forward to your next book, which, as I recall (rightly or wrongly), is being prepared.
Kindest Regards
John V. McIntosh