Events
2 Day Workshop for Show Dogs with Vicki Ronchette
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Spend the weekend learning from Vicki Ronchette of Show Dog Prep School as she shares her approach to developing confident, enthusiastic show dogs through positive reinforcement-based training. Designed for breeders, owners, handlers, exhibitors, and trainers who want to bring out the best in their dogs while preserving their joy for the sport.
September 26-27, 2026
9am-4pm with a one hour lunch break
Tucker, GA
This workshop is designed for everyone involved in conformation dog sports, including breeders, owners, handlers, exhibitors, juniors, and trainers who coach others. Whether you're new to the sport or a seasoned competitor, you'll gain valuable insights into creating enthusiastic, engaged dogs while maintaining a positive training approach.
CPDT 7.5 CEUs Approved
Saturday September 26th- Show Like a Pro- Stacking and Gaiting (9am - 4pm)
Saturday will focus on building the skills needed to help you and your dog look confident, polished, and comfortable in the show ring.
We’ll dive into solid hand-stacking techniques, from creating a reliable foundation to improving precision and presentation, while also working toward a flashy, confident free stack that showcases your dog at their best.
We’ll then take those skills on the move! Vicki will work with teams on developing smooth, balanced gaiting, improving communication between dog and handler, and troubleshooting common challenges that can show up while gaiting in the ring.
Whether you're developing a young show prospect, refining an experienced dog, or looking to improve your own handling skills, Saturday will provide practical techniques you can take home and continue building on.
Sunday September 27th - Troubleshooting Complex Cases and Private Lessons (9am- 4pm)
Sunday will take a deeper dive into the challenges that can make the show ring difficult for both dogs and handlers.
The first portion of the day will focus on troubleshooting more complex cases, including fear, nervousness, reactivity, lack of confidence, environmental sensitivity, difficulty recovering from stressful experiences, and other challenges that can interfere with a dog's ability to feel and perform their best in the ring. This will be in a seminar platform and may include some demos.
Vicki will work with teams to look beyond the surface behavior, identify where dogs are struggling, and develop practical, individualized strategies to help build confidence, comfort, and stronger show-ring skills.
We’ll also reserve the second half of Sunday for 50-minute private lessons with Vicki. These one-on-one sessions provide an opportunity for individualized coaching tailored specifically to you and your dog—whether you're working through a behavioral challenge, refining handling and presentation, preparing for an upcoming show, or addressing something that would benefit from more focused attention.
Private lesson spaces will be limited. Auditing will be available.
Tickets:
Saturday Working Spot (Includes FREE Sunday Audit): $180
Full Weekend Audit: $100
Sunday 60-Minute Private Lesson: $150
Tickets go on sale 8/20/2026.
Refunds: Due to the special nature of events like this, Pawsitive Futures must be notified via email (or website contact form) four weeks prior to the event start date to receive a refund. If notice is given later than this date then, your sessions will be lost and no refund or transfer will be granted.
On Site Amenities: This event will be held at a location in Tucker, GA with parking available. We will have air conditioning / heating, bathrooms, and some light beverages and snacks. We do recommend bringing your own lunch or planning for a local delivery / restaurant pick up.
Please Note: Working dogs must be able to comfortably work around other people and dogs. Dog-reactive or human-reactive dogs are not suitable for this event's working spots. Working dogs will need to be comfortable crating in the car when they are not working. Please be respectful of our space and clean up after your pet.
About Vicki Ronchette
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 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.
Bio curtesy of Show Dog Prep School (https://showdogprepschool.com/).