Lecture with Dr. Kathy Murphy Understanding what’s happening in the dog’s brain can impact how you train. This two-day workshop will provide an introductory overview of neuroscientific principles and how they apply to various aspects of training and behavior. On Day 1 we will begin with applied functional anatomy and physiology, and the various ways that they are modified during neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the process by which brain structure and function changes in response to our surroundings and interactions. Delving into the complexity of neuroplasticity provides a gateway into understanding where the laws of behavior come from, and what mechanisms are at play when working with dogs at different stages of development. We will take a look at fundamental neurophysiological mechanisms such as attention, arousal, reward and fear conditioning, directly applying the science to practical examples or cases. On Day 2 we will look at how our choice of training method can influence brain structure, function and ultimately wellbeing; before moving on to understanding some of the neurological mechanisms of trauma and ways we might apply that knowledge when working with traumatized dogs. Literature and cases used to illustrate principles will be multispecies, everything from worms through to primates. Take-home messages will be designed to support you being able to easily communicate what you learn to other enthusiasts and clients without the jargon. About Kathy: Dr. Kathy Murphy is a neuroscientist and veterinarian. She qualified from the Royal Veterinary College London in 1999 and went into mixed general practice, before completing two post graduate veterinary qualifications, a PhD in behavioral neuroscience at the University of Oxford, an Assistant Professorship in Neuroscience and Anesthesiology at the Icahn School of Medicine NYC, plus a residency in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. She is now the Director of the Comparative Biology Centre at Newcastle University UK, where her clinical and research work are focused on welfare related neuroscience, anesthesia and analgesia. She is a founding member of EthicsFirst, a collective that campaigns for structured ethical debate and decision making within the veterinary profession. She has a long-standing interest in dog behavior and training, was trustee and veterinary advisor for the Rottweiler Welfare Association for 15 years and has fostered and rehabilitated many dogs. She founded Barking Brains (a neuroscience outreach project) in July 2019 in order to merge her professional expertise with her passion for dogs. She currently has three of her own dogs (Dennis, Minnie and Nancy) - two chihuahua mixes, and a rottweiler mix who she does scent work with.

Sponsor:Free Will Animal Training LLC
Speaker(s):Kathy Murphy BVetMed, DPhil, CVA, CLAS, MRCVS

Contact: Amy Blom
 Email: amy.blom@freewillanimaltraining.com
 Phone: 704-761-8364
 Web: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-introduction-to-the-neuroscience-of-dog-training-and-behavior-ticket