If we want to understand a dog’s behaviour, we must first understand how they experience the world. Sensory integration offers exactly that insight.
How do dogs perceive the world around them? How do their senses, physical well-being, and emotional states influence their behaviour, responses, and ability to self-regulate?
In October 2026, we are delighted to host a two-day workshop on canine sensory integration with internationally renowned speaker Els Vidts.
During this workshop, Els Vidts will introduce the field of sensory integration in dogs and explore its significance for understanding behaviour and well-being. The workshop is founded on the belief that behaviour cannot truly be understood when viewed separately from the body, emotions, and the way a dog perceives and processes sensory information from the environment.
This hands-on workshop will place particular emphasis on understanding the sensory systems and the ways in which dogs receive, organise, and make sense of the information they encounter every day. The ability to effectively process sensory input forms an essential foundation for self-regulation, learning, and coping with everyday challenges.
Participants will learn how to observe dogs beyond the most obvious behavioural signs—through their posture, movement, muscle tension, use of space, and non-verbal communication. Together, we will explore the relationship between physical responses and emotional experience, and how a deeper understanding of this connection can contribute to greater relaxation, confidence, safety, and overall balance in dogs.
The workshop offers a valuable opportunity to explore an approach that supports a deeper understanding of canine behaviour in both personal and professional settings. It is suitable for dog guardians, trainers, therapists, and other professionals, as well as anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of dogs and develop relationships based on observation, understanding, and cooperation.
No prior knowledge is required.
Workshop Format and Schedule
The workshop will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Each day will include two short coffee breaks and a longer lunch break. A detailed schedule will be published closer to the event.
Our two-day learning experience will begin on Saturday with a brief theoretical introduction to the fundamentals of sensory integration in dogs. The remainder of the workshop will focus on practical learning through the observation and active exploration of individual dogs. Each day, seven dogs will participate in practical sessions and work directly with Els Vidts.
The workshop will provide both theoretical and, above all, practical insights into the role of sensory integration in canine behaviour and well-being. Participants will have ample opportunities for observation, discussion, and experiential learning throughout the weekend.
The workshop will be conducted in English.
Workshop Fee and Registration
The fee for the two-day workshop with Els Vidts is €250 without a dog or €300 with a dog. The number of places is limited.
The workshop fee includes coffee breaks and light refreshments. Accommodation and all other meals are not included and should be arranged independently by participants.
Only seven working spots with a dog are available. All participant dogs will work with Els Vidts on Sunday, 11 October 2026. Due to the limited number of places, working spots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants applying for a working spot with a dog will be required to agree to the participation guidelines and conditions designed to ensure the welfare and comfort of all dogs attending the event. Further details can be found in the workshop registration form.
Registration is open until 25 September 2026, or until all available places have been filled.
More About Sensory Integration
Sensory integration explores how the brain receives, organises, and combines sensory information to create a meaningful understanding of both the external world and the body itself.
One important aspect of sensory integration is the regulation of sensory input. A sensory stimulus may be perceived as stronger or weaker than it actually is. As a result, some dogs react to almost every movement, sound, or change in their environment, while others seem to notice very little. Such responses may be shaped by learning and experience, but they can also reflect challenges in the regulation of sensory information—often, they are influenced by a combination of both.
A second key aspect is the integration of different types of sensory information into a coherent whole. To function effectively, a dog must combine information from its body and environment into a clear and usable picture. Some dogs, for example, have limited awareness of their hindquarters despite constantly receiving sensory input from that part of the body. Others may appear clumsy, frequently bump into objects, or struggle with spatial awareness, even though they perceive sensory information from their surroundings. In these cases, the challenge lies not in receiving information, but in processing, integrating, and using it effectively.
Understanding sensory integration helps us recognise why such differences occur and how targeted exercises can support the development of more functional perception, movement, and behaviour.
This approach can be a valuable complement to behavioural support, particularly in situations where changing associations or counterconditioning alone does not produce the desired results. At the same time, an understanding of sensory integration is highly beneficial for anyone living or working with puppies and young dogs who wishes to support their optimal development. The ability to self-regulate is built upon the effective integration and processing of sensory information.
About the Speaker
Event Location
The workshop will take place in Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenia. The exact venue and all additional details will be announced soon.