Pet Professional Guild Raises the Stakes in Virtual Competition

TAMPA, Fla. - Jan. 12, 2015 - PRLog -- The International Day of Celebration for Force-Free Training and Pet Care (ICFF), taking place between now and February 17.

Like its predecessor last year, ICFF 2015 entails a photo and video competition where members are invited to submit entries in various categories. However, the prizes on offer this time round are even more alluring, with a free pass to PPG’s inaugural convention, to be held later this year, the jewel in the crown.

Categories include:

Best Overall Picture
Best Dog(s) and Handler Team
Best Group Photograph
Most Creative Complex Training Video
Best Picture North America
Best Picture Rest of the World

For just a $20 registration fee, all participants will receive the newly upgraded PPG ICFF 2015 collector’s medal and a certificate of entry. In addition, they will be eligible for prizes such as a place on Dr. Susan Friedman’s Living and Learning with Animals online educational course, a full scholarship at DogNostics Career College, a $200 gift certificate specifically for pet industry professionals, 10 educational DVDs for professional trainers and behavior consultants, and unlimited educational PPG webinars for 12 months. The Grand Prize, “The PPG Annual Convention Package,” will be presented to the winner of the Best Overall Picture category. This will include full entry to the PPG’s first-ever summit, taking place in Tampa, FL on November 11-13, 2015, a $500 credit towards the winner’s airline ticket, hotel accommodation and food, to a total value of $2,000.

“Following on from the success of last year when we had hundreds of entries, we have upped the ante this year to offer some incredible prizes valued at thousands of dollars,” said Niki Tudge, PPG President. “ICFF is the perfect opportunity to raise more funds so we can continue in our mission to advocate for modern, science-based training methods that eschew coercion and nullifythe damaging use of choke, prong, and shock collars, while simultaneously having fun with our dogs.”

Now in its second year, ICFF was created to honor one of PPG’s founding members, the late Leah Roberts, in recognition of Roberts’ lifelong crusade to promote force-free training and better treatment for all pet dogs. The Leah Roberts Foundation receives 10 percent of all PPG income as part of PPG’s ongoing goal to educate the general populace on why training animals using forceful and punitive methods is not only ineffectual, but also counter-productive and aversive.

ICFF 2014 drew together members and pet owners from over 27 countries to celebrate, advocate for and educate about force-free, humane, positive training methods. ICFF 2015 winners will be announced on February 17, 2015.