About the Seminar

Beyond Behaviour: Understanding Dogs as Individuals is an immersive, in-depth educational seminar designed to help you truly understand dogs beyond labels, diagnoses and surface-level behaviours.

Over one and a half days, participants will observe live, one-to-one assessments of different dogs and their families, guided by international canine educator Hugo Fernández (En Clave de Can). Each case is approached as unique, taking into account the dog’s personality, emotional needs, motivations, learning history and lived experiences.

Rather than focusing on techniques or protocols, this seminar invites participants to observe, reflect and think critically, developing a deeper understanding of canine communication, behaviour and the human–dog relationship.

This is a rare opportunity to learn from real cases, in real time, guided by a highly experienced educator whose work is rooted in ethics, welfare and respect for dogs as individuals.

Who Is This Seminar For?

This seminar is open to:

• Dog guardians who want to better understand their dogs and improve communication

• Professionals working with dogs (dog walkers, trainers, behaviourists, vets, groomers)

• Students of canine behaviour and education

• Anyone interested in ethical, respectful and individualised canine education

Participants may attend:

• 🐕 With their dog, as one of the selected assessment cases (limited places)

• 👀 As observers, without bringing a dog, learning through live case analysis

You do not need to be a professional to attend.
The seminar is accessible to guardians and highly valuable for professionals.

Seminar Structure

🐾 Day 1 – Saturday (Half Day)

• Live individual assessments with dogs and their families

• In-depth observation and guided analysis

• Exploration of canine communication, emotional states and behavioural expression

• Group discussion and reflective learning

🐾 Day 2 – Sunday (Full Day)

• Additional live assessments

• Continued exploration of individual cases

• Integration of learning into real-life contexts

• Q&A and collective reflection

Each dog is assessed individually, with no simultaneous dog interactions, allowing for calm, focused and respectful observation at all times.

A total of 8 dogs will be assessed across the weekend.

What You Will Learn

• How to read and interpret canine communication more accurately

• How personality, motivation and life experiences shape behaviour

• Why behaviours emerge — and what dogs are communicating through them

• How to support dogs and families beyond protocols, labels and quick fixes

• How to develop critical thinking in canine education

• How to move from “what to do” to “how to understand”

This seminar encourages participants not just to learn information, but to change how they observe and understand dogs.

Teaching Approach

Hugo’s teaching approach combines:

• Scientific knowledge and ethological foundations

• Live observation of real dogs

• Clear, structured explanations

• Guided reflection and critical thinking

Rather than offering recipes or techniques, the focus is on building understanding, empowering participants to develop informed, ethical decision-making skills when living or working with dogs.

About the Presenter

🧠 Hugo Fernández

International Canine Educator | Founder of En Clave de Can

Hugo Fernández is an international canine educator specialising in canine communication, behaviour understanding and respectful education. He is the founder of En Clave de Can, a canine education centre based in Spain, dedicated to improving coexistence between dogs and their families through observation, analysis and ethical practice.

With a professional background as a trained teacher, Hugo brings a highly structured, didactic and accessible approach to canine education. His ability to explain complex concepts clearly makes his work equally valuable for professionals and dog guardians.

Hugo has delivered seminars and educational programmes across Spain, South America and Switzerland, and has appeared in national television and press as a recognised voice in respectful canine education.

This seminar marks his first professional event in the United Kingdom.

Why This Seminar Is Different

• Focus on individual dogs, not generic behaviour categories

• Live case analysis rather than scripted demonstrations

• Ethical, respectful and welfare-centred approach

• Accessible to guardians, highly valuable for professionals

• Encourages reflection and critical thinking, not dependency on methods

Certification

All participants will receive a certificate of attendance issued by the Respectful Canine Association.

For professionals, this seminar may be considered professional training / continuing education.
Please note that tax deductibility depends on individual circumstances and local regulations.

Practical Information

• 📍 Location: London (venue details to be confirmed)

• 📅 Dates: 18–19 April

• 🎓 Format: In-person seminar

• 👥 Places: Limited

• 🗣️ Languages: Spanish with live English interpretation

• 🗣️ English Interpreter: Samantha, Huellas Mineras Dog Shelter

• 🎟️ RCA Members benefit from reduced ticket prices

• 💰 Investment:

Observer Attendance (no dogs) : £198 per person (Early Bird: £178)

Seminar + Dog Assessment: £245 per family unit (one or more dogs from the same household) (Early Bird: £220) - LIMITED to 8 selected dogs - Application must be completed.

RCA Members : Members benefit from 15% Discount on all RCA training and seminars

Early Bird rates are available during the first week after launch only. Discounts are not cumulative.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions