Workshops

CANIS Workshops will be held on October 7, 2026, at the Schaumburg Convention Center. These workshops require separate registration and are not included in the standard conference package. VIP registrants may select any workshop at no additional cost, as long as space remains available.

Fit from Nose to Tail: Functional Fitness for Dogs

Instructor: Ashley Escobar

Working and Audit spots available

Fitness is the foundation of a healthy, happy, and high-performing dog. In this interactive workshop, canine fitness expert, Ashley Escobar, will guide participants through functional fitness techniques to improve strength, flexibility, balance, proprioception, and coordination. Attendees will learn how to target key muscle groups, safely increase load, and structure training sessions with effective warm-ups, cool-downs, and exercise progressions. Through practical demonstrations and hands-on activities, we will explore the dog’s body in three key sections: the front end, core, and rear end. You’ll see how each area contributes to overall mobility, stability, and athletic performance. Participants will gain practical, science-based tools to enhance their dogs’ fitness, prevent injury, and build confidence in both everyday life and sport-specific tasks!

Beyond Restraint: The Art of Handling

Instructor: Tabitha Kucera

Veterinary visits and husbandry procedures can be a significant source of stress for many cats and dogs, impacting their emotional wellbeing and the quality of care they receive. Safe, effective handling is not simply instinctive, it's a skill that every animal care professional can learn and practice. This engaging workshop combines interactive lecture, real-life case studies, video demonstrations, discussion, and hands-on practice. You will build confidence in applying handling methods and learning to adapt your approach to each individual animal. You'll leave with practical strategies you can implement immediately to improve animal care, reduce fear, stress, pain, and injuries for both humans and animals, and strengthen the human-animal bond. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand why handling is a vital skill and how it directly impacts animal welfare and clinical outcomes. 2. Recognize signals of anxiety and stress in cats and dogs during veterinary visits and husbandry procedures 3. Apply practical handling techniques that reduce fear, anxiety, and pain 4. Build a critical thinking framework that encourages proactive planning, flexibility, and empathy in every interaction.

Introduction to K9 Nose Work®

Instructor: NACSW / K9 Nose Work® Education Division

Level: Beginner

Working and Audit spots available

Learning Objectives ● Introduce the sport of K9 Nose Work® and provide an overview of its core concepts ● Explore why and how to apply foundational principles across diverse dogs—from shelter/rescue to sport competitors—as a means of building confidence and skills in both dog and handler ● Develop awareness of observation skills essential to the sport and highlight their benefits for students and instructors Presentation Description This workshop introduces the fundamentals of K9 Nose Work®, giving participants the tools to create a starting framework for training. Attendees will learn how to encourage and develop a dog’s natural scenting ability by tapping into their innate drive to sniff and hunt. Video clips from classes, training sessions, and competitions will provide a first-hand look at the wide range of applications for companion dogs, including: ● Mental and physical enrichment ● Confidence building ● Relationship development ● Behavior rehabilitation Time permitting, the session will also briefly overview the sport of competitive K9 Nose Work®.

K9 Nose Work®: Introduction to Odor

Instructor: NACSW / K9 Nose Work® Education Division

Level: Experienced

Working and Audit spots available

Learning Objectives ● Understand the process of transitioning dogs from primary reward searches to target odor searches ● Learn how to build clear, consistent associations between odor and reward to maintain enthusiasm and motivation ● Explore practical strategies for introducing odor in a variety of search setups while preserving the dog’s independence and confidence ● Recognize the progression from foundation work to more complex odor problems in sport and real-world applications Presentation Description: This workshop builds on the foundation established in the Introduction to K9 Nose Work® seminar or equivalent class experience. Participants will be guided through the process of introducing dogs to target odors (birch, anise, clove) paired with primary rewards. Video clips and live demonstrations (working teams) will highlight the core training steps needed to create strong odor associations, while maintaining the joy of the search game. Emphasis will be placed on preserving the dog’s natural hunting ability, ensuring independence, and avoiding common handler errors that can undermine the learning process. The workshop also explores how introducing odor opens doors to advancing elements of the sport, including interior, exterior, and vehicle searches, as well as the early preparation for trialing.