Dog Training Professionals Annual Conference Features Petra Ford

Houston, TX, February 09, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) will hold its 2014 Annual Gathering on Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13 at the Clarion Inn and Conference Center in Hudson, OH. Dog trainers and instructors from around the country are expected to attend for a weekend of education and entertainment.

Internationally known competitor Petra Ford will present both days. On Saturday, she will discuss "Canine Conditioning and Rehab." Topics will include: structure for function to identify potential areas of weakness; importance of a proper warm-up and cool down; stretching for injury prevention and early identification of injuries; components of a conditioning program; how to develop a personalized conditioning program that will target your dog's needs.

On Sunday, her half day presentation will address "Maximizing Ring Performance for Dog and Handler." Topics of interest to the obedience and agility competitor will include: importance of fitness in preparation for the competition; improving your dog's performance in the obedience ring using specific strengthening and body awareness exercises; introduction to using periodization for conditioning and training to maximize your dog's performance at key events; exercises to improve balance and body awareness which affect the dog's performance.

Petra is a Physical Therapist and a certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist. She attended the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2007. Petra graduated from UMDNJ School of Health Related Professions with a degree in physical therapy, and has experience working with an extremely varied caseload including pediatric through geriatric clients with a vast range of diagnoses. Her areas of expertise include in-patient rehabilitation, orthopedics and neurology.

Petra trains and trials her Labrador Retrievers in obedience, field work and agility. Her black Labrador Retriever, Tyler (NOC2 OTCH Count Tyler Show Me The Money UDX3) had the distinction of being the 2008 and 2009 National Obedience Champion. In 2012, Petra and Tyler became the first American team to win the Obedience World Cup at Crufts.

Petra's written work includes articles on canine conditioning, canine injury prevention, competing with your dog and more. She has been published in a number of magazines including Clean Run, Front and Finish, and Whole Dog Journal.

The 2014 Gathering has been approved for CEUs for NADOI, APDT, and IAABC.

Registration now open. Call (303) 867-9188 for more information.

The National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors was founded in 1965 to promote humane training methods and to elevate the standards of the dog obedience instructing profession. Our mission today remains unchanged: To certify dog obedience instructors of the highest caliber, to provide continuing education and learning resources, and to promote humane, effective training methods and competent instruction. NADOI members are found all across the USA.

Please visit our website at www.NADOI.org to locate a certified dog trainer, or for more information about NADOI.