Bio
Vicki Ronchette is a Professional Dog Trainer/Behavior Consult, Author, Speaker, Breeder/Owner/Handler and has been working with dogs professionally since the early 1980s. She has worked with animals as a veterinary assistant, pet groomer, dog and bird trainer, raptor handler and behavior consultant. She has competed in conformation, obedience, rally, field trials, earth dog, agility, freestyle, barn hunt, and nose work. She is the Founder and Lead Instructor of Show Dog Prep School, the only online dog training organization dedicated to training, handling and presenting show dogs with positive reinforcement. Vicki is the author of Positive Training for Show Dogs – Building a Relationship for Success. From Shy to Showy – Help for Your Shy Show Dog. Ready? Set. SHOW! – A Handbook for Dog Shows, Litter Evaluations – The Planning, the Process, the Picks (co-written with Andrea Stone) and the soon to be released The Calm Before the Ring – Managing Performance Anxiety in Dog Shows and Other Dog Sports. She is the owner and moderator of the Positive Training for Show Dogs Facebook group and the co-founder of the Cooperative Conformation Coalition. Her passion is helping people train their show dogs using positive reinforcement methods. Vicki teaches people locally in group classes and workshops and offers webinars which have been attended by people from all over the world. Vicki has finished many dogs of her owns and of friends and clients. She has handled dogs from all of the AKC groups and her clients have attained many high-level accomplishments including championships, grand championships, best in specialty show wins, group placements, All Breed Best in Shows as well as national breed rankings including multiple No. 1 rankings in competitive breeds.
Seminar Information
Vicki can speak on different subjects, but generally speaks on conformation training. There are different ways to structure a seminar and we can tailor one to meet the needs of your group. Some ideas are:
One full day seminar for dog owners on using positive reinforcement training for show dogs and problem solving issues with show dogs
One full day seminar on problem solving specific show ring issues
One half day seminar of Vicki’s From Shy to Showy which focuses on working with shy or fearful show dogs
Two and a half hour mini workshops for Show Stopping Stacks and/or Mastering Your Dog’s Movement
One full day seminar for dog trainers on teaching conformation and offering conformation classes
One full day seminar for dog owners and one half day for dog trainers
One full day seminar for dog trainers and/or owners and one full day of private sessions
One to three hour presentations for breed clubs or training clubs for various conformation topics
This can all be tailored to meet your needs
Half day seminars are offered only with one full day seminars for out of state hosts
Vicki’s Style
Vicki enjoys doing a combination of lecture/powerpoint and working with seminar dogs. Dogs can be set up in the area with their owners as if they were at a dog show (dog’s crate by owner’s chair) so they can work on crate skills during the lecture pieces. Vicki welcomes relevant questions throughout the seminar. Vicki’s teaching style is very welcoming and relaxing with lots of encouragement and support.
Expectations
Depending on what the presentation is on, attendees should expect to leave with a clear understanding of how a dog show works, what equipment is available, what behaviors a show dog needs to be taught, how to problem solve issues with show dogs, helpful tools to use with training show dogs and much more. Seminars for professional trainers will help them have a clearer understanding of how dog shows work, how to support their show dog clients and how to offer show dog classes and training.
Speaking Fees
Speaking fees do not include travel expenses including airfare, lodging and meals.
$1000 per day (approximately 6 speaking hours, 7 hours total, for up to 18 working teams, plus auditors) Additional working teams $75 per team.
$125 per hour for private lessons.
$600 for half day (approximately 4 speaking hours, 5 hours total, for up to 14 working teams plus auditors) Additional working teams $60 per team kamagra oral jelly rezeptfre
$300 for 2.5 hour workshops (2.5 speaking hours, up to 14 teams, Northern California ONLY)
$150 for 1 hour for breed club or training club workshops or clinics
$125 for one hour online breed club presentations
Outside of the US – $1500 per day plus travel, lodging and food
Filling the Workshop
When you book the workshop you will be sent a speaking contract. Please know that you will be able to cancel or postpone if you cannot fill the workshop with up to 45 days notice.
Venue
Seminars have been held in very large training buildings and as small as 800 sq ft. As long as there is enough space to accommodate the dogs and people it works for us. Depending on weather events can be held outdoors with appropriate facilities, shade, etc.
Lodging
Host is responsible for providing lodging. Vicki is happy to stay in a hotel or to stay with the host in order to save hosting costs. She enjoys spending time with other dog trainers and behavior geeks and their dogs.
Travel
Host is responsible for booking and paying for airline expenses to the location from Northern California. If the seminar is within 3 hours she will drive and the other expenses will be added to the total.
Charging for the seminar
We have been hosting other speakers for years and understand that it can be intimidating to try and put a workshop or seminar weekend so here is a breakdown to give you an idea of possible this can be to do. Hosts may set the fees for the seminar based on averages in their area. Generally, $125 a day is the average and many hosts will offer an early bird registration discount as well as auditor spots for people who won’t be bringing a dog.
Hosts, have the opportunity to make a significant profit if they have space. Here is an approximate hypothetical breakdown of costs for a one-day seminar. Speaking fee to Vicki – $1000
Airfare – $500
Hotel – $0 if Vicki stays with host
Meals – $50
Printing – $100
Total – $1650
In this scenario you would need 13 attendees to attend one day to break even and any extras would be 100% profit for the host.
“It was a real pleasure to have Vicki Ronchette present Polishing Your Performance and From Shy to SHOWY at UCLA Dogs. Her information was informed and in-depth and clearly comes from a place of passion. She has a dynamic presentation style and truly engaged our students, helping them develop skills specific to their and their dogs’ needs. Not only does she know dog shows inside and out, but her training information is backed by behavioral science.
Speaking as a host, Vicki was wonderful to work with. She is flexible and down to earth making the somewhat daunting task of putting on a seminar so much easier. It was a lot of fun having her out and we look forward to making it happen again soon! Thanks, Vicki!”
Contact Us
If you are interested in hosting a Vicki Ronchette seminar please email us at braveheartdogs@gmail.com.