about Deb Jones
Deborah Jones, Ph.D., is a psychologist who specializes in learning theory and social behavior. She has taught a variety of psychology courses at Kent State University for the past 20 years. Deb has been training dogs for performance events for the past 25 years and was an early innovator in the use of clicker training techniques in dog training. She has owned and worked with a variety of breeds and has earned top level titles in agility (MACH), rally (RAE), and obedience (UD) competitions. Her focus is on developing training methods that are enjoyable and effective for both the dog and the trainer. Her mission is to help others develop strong positive relationships with their dogs. Her favorite saying is “it’s all tricks!”
In 2004 Deb developed the FOCUS training system, along with agility trainer and World Team member Judy Keller. FOCUS stands for Fun, Obedience & Consistency lead to Unbelievable Success. They first applied FOCUS training to agility dogs but quickly realized its usefulness for all dog sports. Together, they wrote “The Focused Puppy,” which lays out a strong and systematic foundation for all future training. Deb has written a series of 4 books with Denise Fenzi titled “Dog Sport Skills.” She is currently working on a book on Cooperative Care.
Deb has taught a variety of dog training classes, workshops, and seminars. She loves teaching in an online format!
Deb’s website is www.k9infocus.com.
2019 camp sessions
Day 1: Friday
11:00AM – 12:30PM ET
Hall F
Shaping Retrieves Lab
Experience Level: All
This lab will focus on the process of shaping to introduce and improve your dog’s formal retrieve. Deb will be splitting the retrieve behavior into tiny parts to isolate any problem areas. Dogs at all levels of the retrieve, including the very beginning steps, are welcome. Dogs in working spots should be highly food motivated. Bring an appropriately sized retrieve object for your dog to work with in this lab.
Day 1: Friday
4:00PM – 6:00PM ET
Hall F
Focus Games Lab
Experience Level: All
Focus! Everyone wants it, but how do you get it? This lecture and lab will lead you through the general concept of focus and the importance of specific games as the basis for teamwork. The games are designed to help you and your dog develop a fun and enjoyable working relationship. The different categories of games will encourage you to explore interactions with and without food, with and without toys, using and changing energy levels and intensity, and with social physical play. Working teams will have a chance to practice selected games and get feedback for ways to customize them for the best result.
Day 2: Saturday
9:00AM – 10:40AM ET
Hall E
Handler Choice Lab
Experience Level: All
Each team will have 10 minutes of one-on-one time to work on whichever skills they choose.
Day 2: Saturday
1:40PM – 3:40PM ET
Lecture Room
Human Shaping Lecture / Workshop – LECTURE ONLY (Open Participation)
In this workshop, you will be shaping the most difficult species of all: humans! Everyone who participates will have the opportunity to see what it’s like not only to be the trainer, but to also be the subject, timer, and scribe. Experiencing the process from your dog’s perspective will lead to amazing insights. You will shape each other in small groups using a series of fun exercises. Each exercise will highlight and strengthen an important aspect of the learning process.
Day 3: Sunday
11:00AM – 12:40PM ET
Hall E
Cue Clean Up Lab
Experience Level: All
Cues can be complex and confusing things. As our main form of communication with our dogs it’s important that we have clear and clean verbal and physical cues for behaviors. This is not always easy. What you think is perfectly clear may not be to your dog. As a trainer, understanding when and how to add cues, how to change or alter cues, and what to do when cues aren’t working as you intended, is very important. Deb will offer solid information on how to clean up your cues! Working teams will assess their dog’s true understanding of cues and can then work on adding or changing them as desired.
Day 3: Sunday
3:50PM – 5:30PM ET
Hall E
Cooperative Care Lecture/Lab
Experience Level: All
The goal is to engage your dog as an active willing partner in their physical care. In this session Deb will discuss the topic of cooperative care for husbandry and grooming. The lecture portion will consist of an introduction to the area, particularly the importance of classical conditioning and choice-based methods. The hands-on portion will consist of practicing classical vs. operant conditioning exercises, recognizing your dog’s comfort level, allowing your dog to say “no” and how to respond when he does, and providing a gentle introduction to handling and tools. Dogs in working spots should be comfortable in the Camp environment and food motivated.