{"id":14380,"date":"2026-03-12T10:31:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:31:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myperfectdog.lv\/?page_id=14380"},"modified":"2026-04-27T09:43:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T07:43:06","slug":"speakers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/myperfectdog.lv\/en\/speakers\/","title":{"rendered":"Conference speakers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t\tT. 27993370 | liga@myperfectdog.lv\n\t<\/h2>\n

\n\t\t(Trainings: P.-S. 9AM-9PM, contact us: 9AM-6PM)\n\t<\/h2>\n

\n\t\tLOCATIONS:\n\t<\/h2>\n

\n\t\tR\u012aG\u0100, J\u016aRMAL\u0100, IK\u0160\u0136IL\u0112, JELGAV\u0100 AND AFTER REQUEST OTHER CITIES\n\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"MyPerfectDog-New-logo_peach_plakans\"\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"LV\"\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"ENG\"\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"MyPerfectDog-New-logo_peach_plakans\"\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMAIN CONFERENCE PAGE\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMAIN CONFERENCE PAGE\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tREGISTER NOW!\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n

\n\t\tABOUT SPEAKERS AND LECTURE TOPICS\n\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\"Amber\n\t\t\t\t\"Amber\n

\n\t\tAmber Batson\n\t<\/h3>\n

\n\t\tVet and behaviourist and founder of Understand Animals from UK.\n\t<\/h4>\n

\n\t\tFirst speech:\n\t<\/h4>\n

\n\t\t \ud83d\udcac “Sick as a Dog: How Does Disease Influence Behaviour”\n\t<\/h2>\n\tThis presentation will look at the most common non painful diseases that can affect not only the dog’s wellbeing but also their behaviour.\nHow as non vet behaviour professionals and trainers can we recognise disease in our clients dogs and how do we collect this information to present to their vet?\nWe will explore the role of non vet behaviour professionals in supporting the dog’s overall wellbeing when they have a chronic disease and how positive emotions matter to both the dog and their human family to continue a life worth living.\n

\n\t\tSecond speech:\n\t<\/h4>\n

\n\t\t\"\ud83d\udcac\" “A Pain in the Neck:\u00a0 How Does Pain Affect Dog Behaviour”\n\t<\/h2>\n\t

This presentation will give a brief over view of the different types of pain we recognise in dogs and why this matters in how they can influence the dogs behaviour including emotions, cognition and sensory experience in different ways.<\/p>\nHow as non vet behaviour professionals and trainers can we recognise pain in our clients dogs and how do we collect this information to present to their vet?\nHow do pain trials work?\u00a0 How can we support dogs during such a trial and on occasions where pain is identified to be part of a behaviour issue?\n\t\t\tAbout Amber Batson<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\tAmber Batson graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 1999.\nShe started working in general veterinary practice straight from graduating, but quickly became aware that many consultations involved elements of behaviour, which set her on a path of acquiring science-based behaviour knowledge.\nFor many years she worked in practice whilst undertaking a number of behaviour qualifications in dogs, horses and cats which became blended in with her veterinary work.\nIn 2007 she set up her own business, Understand Animals, with the aim to bridge the gap between up to date science and using that in a practical way to benefit animals and the humans they share their lives with.\u00a0 Alongside working in clinical vet practice, her business provides education across the globe regards animal behaviour and welfare, as well as providing vet behaviour consultations for clients and legal expert witness work.\nAmber remains passionate about using science to support a pragmatic and empathetic approach to behaviour and physical issues in animals.\n\t\t\t\t\"Marina\n\t\t\t\t\"Marina\n

\n\t\tMARINA GATES FLEMING TR IDTE\n\t<\/h3>\n

\n\t\tCanine consultant from Belgium\n\t<\/h4>\n

\n\t\t\"\ud83d\udcac\" “Listening to Dogs: Ethics, Emotions and Respecting Their Choices”\n\t<\/h2>\n

\n\t\tUnderstanding Dogs from the Inside Out\n\t<\/h2>\n\t

This talk explores what it means to see dogs as sentient beings and the ethical responsibility that follows when we take that seriously.\u00a0 If we accept that dogs have emotional lives, then those experiences matter and that may ask more of us than we expect, especially when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

We will look at emotions not as problems to solve, but as meaningful experiences that shape how dogs feel about their world. Particular attention will be given to “big emotions”, those moments when dogs are finding things difficult, feeling overwhelmed or highly aroused, because these are often the times that ask the most of us. Dogs are always communicating, inviting us to look beyond the surface and consider what lies underneath. It is here that our ethical responsibility feels most present, calling for observation, thoughtfulness and respect.<\/p>\n

The talk will also reflect on the role of agency, choice, safety and context in everyday life and how cumulative stress and environmental factors can either support or undermine emotional well-being. Emotional needs and agency are not optional extras: they are central to ethical practice.<\/p>\n

It closes with a reflection on listening more carefully to dogs.\u00a0 Recognising their inner lives, respecting their choices and allowing ethics to guide how we live together.<\/p>\n\t\t\tAbout Marina Gates Fleming<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t

After living in London and working in the City for many years, Marina is now based near Brussels, Belgium. Throughout her life, she has shared her home with many dogs, who continue to teach her every day.<\/p>\n

Following her retirement from the corporate world, Marina dedicated herself to her lifelong passion: understanding and supporting dogs and their humans. She completed the International Dog Trainer’s Education (IDTE) with Turid Rugaas and has been a Full Member, Mentor and CR Belgium for many years.\u00a0 In March, she joined the Board as a backup member following a casual vacancy and will support the Board in this role until the next AGM.<\/p>\n

Marina consistently champions PDTE ethics in her work with clients and colleagues, making observation, patience and ethical guidance the cornerstone of her approach. She encourages other professionals to uphold these principles and shares her knowledge through a variety of educational and practical activities, all delivered in her approachable style.<\/p>\n

Her mission is simple: to help dogs and their humans understand each other better and live more relaxed lives together. As she puts it: “This is not training; it is living together – a way of life, for life.”<\/i> More insights and resources are available at happyandrelaxeddogs.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"Anne\n\t\t\t\t\"Anne\n

\n\t\tAnne Lill Kvam\n\t<\/h3>\n

\n\t\tEthical dog trainer\/behaviour consultant from Norway\n\t<\/h4>\n

\n\t\t\"\ud83d\udcac\" “Sniffer workshop for boosting self confidence, and for fun!”\n\t<\/h2>\n\tFrom the morning we’ll do tracking<\/b> – when your dog learns to follow someone’s footprints like a search & rescue dog. How to get a dog to do the very first track, and the steps to more advanced tracking. How does the surface matter, the weather and winds?
\nWhat is really difficult for a dog with some experience? We shall have fun and try to find good challenges for each of the participating dogs. This game is a wonderful stimulation and it supports self confidence a lot. Very good medicine for troubled dogs.\nAfter lunch we’ll turn to other sniffer games.
\nScent discrimination<\/b> – your dog can learn to find money or herbs, or pick your scent from any other’s. All dogs can learn this! Indoors or outdoors, and can be done on leash so suitable for aggressive and fearful dogs of all kinds and levels.\n

Naming toys<\/b> – your dog can learn the name of all his toys, or any other things (remote controls, telephones…) and find them in your house or outside. Dog can bring his find to you, or mark his finding with a behaviour like bark or lay down… May be played indoors, outdoors and on leash if necessary. Suitable for soft dogs, fearful, aggressive, or any other challenges<\/p>\n

Enriched environment<\/b> – not really a search game, but a gift for your dog. We place interesting objects on a chosen spot, for dog to explore, sniff, maybe even destroy which is perfect! We want to have something for every sense. This activity is effective medicine for traumatised minds, and fun for dogs of all sizes, ages, and most mental states. It is proven effective on trauma for humans and animals! <\/p>\n\t\t\tAbout Anne Lill Kvam<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t

There was \u00abalways\u00bb dogs in my life, and at the age of 8\u00a0 I managed to convince my parents to let me have an Australian terrier. A very wilful and troubled little dog, but back then in the 60’s the tolerance for dogs’ behaviour was far higher than what we see today.<\/p>\n

When I was young, I showed two dogs to become beauty Champions at conformation shows, I had a short career in obedience competitions, and in utility competitions. <\/p>\n

After I discovered the magic and mutual pleasure of tracking and other search games, I left obedience and conformation shows for good. In 1988 me and my dog was certified as search and rescue team in Norwegian Association for Avalanche Dogs. And since then\u00a0 my interest in the senses took me to learn about emotions and then about behaviour, and here I am!\u00a0<\/p>\n

My searching for good knowledge on dogs took me to Turid Rugaas’ Dog trainer education in 1995, and from 1996 dogs was not only my passion but also my profession. After learning that behaviour is the produce of emotions, my dog work is about making an effort to understand the dogs’ emotions and why they do this and not that.<\/p>\n

I am travelling the world, studying and learning around dogs, and giving workshops, speeches and dog trainer educations many places. Dog trainer education is ongoing Asia\/ Taiwan, and plans to start up other places are under considerations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And I am always open minded about new places to go, so maybe I come to you, if you ask me \ud83d\ude0a<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"Linda\n\t\t\t\t\"Linda\n

\n\t\tLinda Rugaas\n\t<\/h3>\n

\n\t\tEthical dog trainer\/behaviour consultant from Norway\n\t<\/h4>\n

\n\t\t\"\ud83d\udcac\" “Why I never use treats when working with fear, anxiety, reactivity or aggression”\n\t<\/h2>\n\t

My lecture will be on the big emotions, the body language of the dogs and ourselves, and how our good intentions often come in the way for learning, mastering and overcoming those big emotions. I will talk about how we can better help our dogs overcome fear or reactivity without using treats or comforting, but still support the dogs to find their own coping skills.<\/p>\n\t\t\tAbout Linda Rugaas<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t

Linda Rugaas works together with her mother Turid Rugaas at their dog center in Kristiansund, Norway. She has received her formal education from Nordic Education Centre for Ethical Dog Trainers, And also she has an education in learning psychology for children 1-11 yo. Also she has been an apprentice and assistant of her mother Turid Rugaas for 30 years. Together they are doing studies, sharing experiences and finding improvement possibilities through honest evaluation.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\""Smiling\n\t\t\t\t\""Smiling\n

\n\t\tLyubov Elupova, Ena Kobentar, Leticia Sanchez Moral\n\t<\/h3>\n

\n\t\t“SMILING LEASH” TEAM\n\t<\/h4>\n

\n\t\t\"\ud83d\udcac\" “Social Walks as Part of the Solution”\n\t<\/h2>\n\t

In this talk, we show how social walks can help dogs with difficult emotions in a simple and practical way. We will share real case studies and lots of footage to help you apply our ideas.<\/p>\n

We will talk about common issues dogs come with, the role of stress and pain, and how small changes can make a big difference. You’ll see easy ways to reduce stress, using ideas inspired by Turid Rugaas and adapted to real life imperfect conditions.<\/p>\n

We will also explain how to start social walks safely: how to choose dogs, the environment; prepare human clients, and how to build groups step by step. We’ll touch on working with shelter dogs too.<\/p>\n

Finally, social walks are not just about behaviour-they also help people feel supported and build a strong community. We’ll look at this aspect as well.<\/p>\n\t\t\tAbout “Smiling leash” and its team<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExpand<\/i><\/a>\n\t\t

The goal of the Smiling Leash is very simple and wildly ambitious: to change an idea in people’s minds.<\/p>\n

We tend to perceive what we see most often as normal and do not question it much. That can be applied to the way we treat our dogs. More specifically, about how we walk (with) them.<\/p>\n

Smiling Leash is dedicated to showing the best examples of walking and enjoying time together with our dogs, connected by a smile.<\/p>\n

The project is run by an international group of friends and dog trainers: Lyubov Elupova, Ena Kobentar and Leticia S\u00e1nchez-Moral since 2019.<\/p>\n

Over the years, the project has become a knowledge and support hub for caring dog guardians who seek a kinder, more ethical approach to living with dogs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"Auriane\n\t\t\t\t\"Auriane\n

\n\t\tAuriane Hurtes\n\t<\/h3>\n

\n\t\tHolistic nutritionist specialized in feeding dogs for optimal health from France\n\t<\/h4>\n

\n\t\t\"\ud83d\udcac\" “When Emotions Are Too Much – The Role of Species-Appropriate Nutrition in Behavioural Health”\n\t<\/h2>\n\t

Dogs are designed to eat fresh, species-appropriate food. When we deviate from this foundation, health concerns emerge- and with them, behavioural challenges. This presentation explores the critical connection between nutrition and emotional regulation, revealing how what dogs eat directly impacts their stress resilience, impulse control and behaviour.<\/p>\n

Key topics include:<\/p>\n