Dogs of Course has created this 3.5 day dog training and behavior conference with the duel purpose of fundraising for St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center's capital campaign and providing a quality educational experience for anyone who believes that dogs can be your best friend.

Inspired by the loving lifelong friendships possible between dog and owner, this conference will concentrate on training and behavior to foster strong unbreakable bonds.  It is dedicated to the joy and love dogs bring to our lives. As the curriculum uncovers the many aspects of living with and understanding dogs, the question we will keep asking is how can we as professionals, hobby trainers, and dog lovers foster and build a life long commitment between dog and owner - a Best Friend Forever. Are there ways to inoculate against canine relinquishment, abandonment, abuse, and neglect by providing accurate and useful information to families? Our faculty thinks so and wants to share their insights and experiences with you.

Our instructors are not only some of the best teachers in the country but they are also friends who have come together to support St Hubert's Animal Welfare Center's vision for a new shelter and education center. Our faculty includes:

• Carolyn Barney CPDT-KA

• Vinny Catalano, MBA CPDT-KA, CPBC

• Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D., CAAB

• Trish King CPDT-KA, CDBC

• Emily Levine, DVM

• Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., CAAB

• Pamela Reid Ph.D., CAAB

• Pia Silvani, CPDT-KA

• Nancy Williams MA, RVT, ACAAB

To learn more about our faculty, click on this link: Instructors

The Best Friends Forever Conference (BFFC) format is lecture with visual aids and some demonstrations when appropriate. The day is broken up into four sessions with two choices for participants to select from during many of the sessions. At other times the whole group will learn together. BFFC will host a Trainer's Social and Welcome Party on Friday night that will include an auction to raise additional funds for St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center.

The conference schedule and topics are available as PDF files. See the buttons below in the "Schedule and Topics" section.

The conference is currently limited to approximately 175 participants. Registration ends July 26, 2010 or when the conference is full.

Please click on the buttons to get the PDF files for the schedule and lecture descriptions. PDF files require the free Adobe Reader program.

Registration is closed.

If you would like to be on a waitlist you may email Crevling@dogsofcourse with your name, contact information and what days you would like to attend. We will contact you if a spot opens up. Thank you.

Payment Options: You may pay via PayPal or check. Your registration will not be considered complete until we receive payment. Registration is pending for check payment until received and processed.

Participants will receive a BFFC logo T-shirt with registration to one or more full days at the conference. For those participants that register by July 7, 2010, we will be able to order you the exact size shirt you order. For those that register after July 7, 2010, you will get to select from the sizes available at registration.

Conveniently located in our host hotel, the conference features two breakout sessions, a pub, restaurant with breakfast buffet, outdoor pool for socializing, and shopping at our vender's booths. The hotel has pet friendly rooms although we suggest you leave your dogs at home as this will give you time to focus on yourself. Dogs will not allowed in the meeting rooms or conference area.

The Inn at Chester Springs is located just minutes off the PA Turnpike and near many amenities. If you are flying into Philadelphia there are shuttle/van services to the hotel. The hotel does provide all the amenities needed for your stay however you may choose to have a car for additional convenience.

Exton, PA is in Chester County. The area is brimming with historical and cultural activities including Valley Forge National Historic park and Longwood Gardens.

Conference Room Rates:
$99 plus tax per night until July 4, 2010
Your room includes a complementary breakfast buffet (up to 2 per room). A value of $10pp
Pet friendly, $25 one-time non-refundable pet fee. Please tell them if you are bringing a pet.
Rollaway beds $15/night based on availability

To make your reservation, CALL the hotel and give them our code: Best Friends Forever Conference. Our conference room rates are only available by calling the hotel directly.

RVs - $35/ per night. See RV policy information below.

Driving Directions:

From the East - New Jersey/New York:

Take New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 6 - PA Turnpike West to Exit 312 "Downingtown Exit," bear left onto Route 100 South, follow 1 mile, Inn is on left. Exit to the right just before light, left onto Route 100 to Inn on right.

From the West - Harrisburg:

Take the PA Turnpike East to Exit 312 "Downingtown Exit", bear left onto Route 100 South, follow 1 mile, Inn is on left. Exit to the right just before light, left onto Route 100 to Inn on right.

From the South - Delaware:

Follow I-95 North to Route 202 North, continue for 15 to 20 minutes to Route 100, "Exton Exit." Follow Route 100 North approximately 5 miles to Inn on right.

From the Philadelphia International Airport:

Follow I-95 South to "West Chester Exit," Route 322 West. Follow Route 322 West to Route 1, make a left onto Route 1 and and follow approximately 3 lights. Make a right onto Route 202 North, continue for 15 to 20 minutes to Route 100, "Exton Exit." Follow Route 100 North approximately 5 miles to Inn on right.

Area Airport and Shuttle/Van Services:

• Philadelphia International Airport, 30 miles from the conference

• Rainbow Cab and Limo Service, 610-696-6060,  approximately $45 one way

• A2Z Airport Shuttle, 610-644-5858,  approximately $45 one way

All attendees will receive a conference CD at registration. The CD contains: conference program, abstracts, outlines of the sessions, and biographies of each instructor. The outlines for each session will also be available via a web link for registered participants two weeks before the conference so outlines can be printed out for note taking at the participants discretion. 

Registered participants can expect an e-mail with  web link to the outlines by Wednesday 7/29.
 

Best Friends Forever Conference (BFFC) is a non-working educational conference. We don't suggest bringing your dog to the conference as dogs are not allowed in the conference areas of the hotel. If you must bring your dog because you don't have other options, a well-behaved, quiet, and friendly dog is allowed in certain hotel rooms. Dogs must be crated when left alone in the rooms. Aggressive, noisy, or disruptive dogs will be asked to leave the hotel/property and the owner will not be refunded if she/he misses the session or conference. 

Participants who do not clean up after their dogs will be asked to remove their dog from the hotel property and/or leave the conference. The owner will not be refunded if she/he misses the session or conference.

A limited number of RVs are welcome. The INN at Chester Springs parking lot is sloped. However, the Inn is happy to work with RV participants in providing space either in their parking lot or a lot on adjacent property within walking distance of the hotel. RVs must be self-contained. There is a $35/day fee. If, however, you are an overnight guest in the hotel, you may park your RV in a specified area free of charge. In all cases, reservations are required directly with the hotel. The conference is not responsible for customer service related to RV parking.

BFFC reserves all video and audio taping rights at this educational conference. No video or audio taping is permitted.

Certified Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA)will receive 3 CEUs for Thursday and 6 CEUs per day for the conference. A total of 21 CEUs for the whole event.

IAABC has approved 3 CEUs for Thursday and 13.5 CEUs for the three day conference.

We are happy to give you proof of attendance to get credits from other organizations but we will not be applying for the approval for you.

We expect to have items for sale from St Hubert's Dog Training School, McConnell Publishing, and Animal Behavior Associates as well as other vendors. More information on vendors will be posted in the future. Please check back for updates.

If you are interested in vending space, Please contact Dana Crevling.

On Friday night at the Trainers Social and Welcome Reception, we will have a fund-raising auction to benefit St Hubert's Animal Welfare Center. We expect many nice items and hope you will join the fun.

Participants are on her/his own during meals. The Inn at Chester Springs offers a complementary full breakfast buffet for our conference guests who stay at the Inn. Two breakfasts per room per day. The Inn will also provide an optional lunch buffet for all attendees for approximately $10/pp. Dinner is also available at the Inn or nearby restaurants.

The conference will provide coffee, tea, and water during the morning and afternoon breaks.

You are invited to our Trainers Social and Welcome Reception on Friday night to enjoy appetizers. There will be a cash bar.

All cancellations must be sent to Dogs of Course and received in writing. An acknowledgement of your cancellation will be emailed to you within 3 business days from Dogs of Course. Please keep a copy of the cancellation email for your records; your cancellation is not valid without this confirmation of receipt. BFFC and Dogs of Course are not responsible for cancellations that do not reach the office by the deadlines.

• Cancellations received on or before May 1, 2010 will be refunded less a $25 processing fee.

• Cancellations on May 2, 2010 through July 1, 2010 will be refunded 50% of the tuition or registration is transferable to another person for a $25 processing fee. The participant is responsible for finding a replacement and working out reimbursement arrangements with that person. An e-mail or faxed letter transferring registration to the new person must be sent from the original participant along with the $25 transfer fee. Registration is not transferred until payment and documentation have been received and acknowledged.

• Cancellations received after July 1, 2010 will not receive a refund; however, registration is transferable to another person for a $25 processing fee. If you cancel after July 1, 2010 you are responsible for finding your own replacement and working out payment arrangements with that person. The participant is responsible for finding a replacement and working out reimbursement arrangements with that person. An e-mail or faxed letter transferring registration to the new person must be sent from the original participant along with the $25 transfer fee. Registration is not transferred until payment and documentation have been received and acknowledged.

• "No-shows” will NOT receive a refund.

• If you register for the full three-day conference and later decide that you want to switch to a two-day or one-day registration, it is considered a cancellation. You will be refunded the difference in tuition in accordance to the above cancellation policies.

This policy applies to participants that must withdraw for ANY reason, including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency, and personal or work-related reasons. 

Participants asked to leave the event/property by BFFC or hotel management will not be refunded any part of the tuition.

This policy is without exception.

Contact Dana Crevling at Crevling@dogsofcourse.com or leave a message at 508/529-3568 EST, 8am -7pm M-F. Messages will be returned within 2 business days.