Welcome to the PDTE Annual Conference and AGM 2025 in Slovenia!

PDTE AGM 2025 –  Movement Matters: The Connection between Canine Movement and Behaviour

Join us from September 27th to 30th, 2025 in Slovenia to explore the connection between movement and dog behavior, while also building connections with fellow dog lovers and professionals!

Movement Matters!

It is time for everyone—from dog professionals to pet dog guardians—to become aware of how different life circumstances can impact a dog’s movement and, equally important, to understand why and how a dog’s movement (dis)abilities can affect its behavior.

That is why we’ve chosen The Connection Between Canine Movement and Behavior as the central theme for the PDTE Annual Conference 2025.

This event is open to all, whether you are a dog behavior specialist, a veterinary professional, a canine physiotherapist, a researcher in dog behavior, psychology, ethology, or biology, or simply an interested dog guardian seeking to better understand your dog’s behavior and needs.

We are looking forward to meeting all of you soon!

What can you expect to learn?

During this 4-day event, 9 experts will share their knowledge and experiences through a series of informative lectures and hands-on workshops. All presentations will be held in English.

The first two days will feature lectures on a variety of topics, including the proportional and gait development of puppies, myofascial development and maintenance throughout life, the impact of pain on behavior and quality of life in dogs, and mobility solutions, including the use of special equipment for dogs with physical limitations. You’ll learn essential skills of finding, reading, and utilizing scientific research, explore the benefits of forest agility and take an in-depth look at the biomechanics of jumping in agility sport dogs.

The final two days will be dedicated to workshops. One will focus on sensory integration for dogs, while the other will cover sniffer games, ideal for dogs with any movement difficulties.

We’re already excited and look forward to meeting you in Slovenia to learn, share, and connect!

The schedule of the conference program

All presentations will be held in English. You can view more details of each day by clicking on the arrows below.
If you prefer, you can also download the program as a PDF – both a brief summary and a detailed version are available.
Please note that the program is subject to minor changes.

18:00 – 22:00Welcome evening: WELCOME DRINKS
7:00 – 8:00Breakfast
7:00 – 8:30Registrations
8:30 – 9:00Conference Opening Ceremony & Technical Briefing
9:00 – 10:30Julia Robertson: Myofascial Development and Maintenance – from puppies to seniors – PART I 
10:30 – 10:45Coffee break
10:45 – 12:00Julia Robertson: Myofascial Development and Maintenance – from puppies to seniors – PART II + Q&A
12:00 – 13:30Lunch break
13:30 – 14:45Sharon Ferrer: Fascia in Motion: from connective tissue to the emotional well-being of the dog
14.45 – 15:00Coffee break
15:00 – 16:45Katja Söhnel: From Puppy to Adult Dog—New Insights from a Long-term Study
16.45 – 18:00End of Day One
18:00-22:00Taste of Laško: A Beer-Fueled City Tour, Local Beer Tasting, and a Festive Dinner with Live Music
7:00 – 8:00Breakfast
8:00-10:00PDTE Annual General Meeting
8:30-10:00Something different: A Healing Forest Therapy Session
10:00-11:00Ute Bühner: Forest Agility
11:00-11:15Coffee break
11:15 – 13:00Katja Söhnel: Biomechanics of jumping dogs
13:00-14:30Lunch break
14:30-15:30Beate Bjornhom: Pain and Behaviour 
15:30 – 15:45Coffee break
15:45-16:45 Eva Tasič: When four legs are not enough
16:45 – 17:15PDTE Conference closing ceremony
17:15 – 18:00End of Day Two
18:30A Taste of Tradition: Rustic Dinner & Evening with Friends
7:30 – 8:30Breakfast
9:00 – 17:00  Els Vidts: Sensory integration for dogs
9:00 – 17:00Coffee breaks and Lunch Break
18:00 – 19:30Canine Challenges: A Playful Twist on the Classic Quiz with a Dog-Inspired evening Escape Room Game
7:00-8:30Breakfast
9:00-17:00   Anne Lill Kvam: Nosewise workshop for dogs of all ages and all stages
9:00 – 17:00Coffee breaks and Lunch Break
18:00Event Ending
We are thrilled about the outstanding lineup of speakers for the PDTE Annual Conference 2025.

You can find more information about their lectures, their work, and the speakers themselves by clicking the link below:

About the Conference Venue and Location

The PDTE Annual Conference and AGM 2025 will be held at Hotel Špica, located in Laško, Slovenia.

The hotel is a charming, family-run establishment that has been recently renovated, offering a welcoming atmosphere. It is perfectly situated, just across the bridge over the Savinja River from the city center, providing easy access to both nature and the town.

Hotel Špica 3* Superior offers two modern, multi-purpose rooms equipped with projection and hi-fi equipment, and flexible seating arrangements for 30 to 100 people, making it an ideal setting for our conference presentations.

It also provides 27 rooms, which are already fully booked by conference attendees and therefore not available for new registrations.

For those who enjoy good food and a pleasant ambiance, the hotel also houses a restaurant and pizzeria with a diverse culinary offer, where you can spoil you taste buds either indoors or on the terrace of the restaurant.

For those looking for alternative accommodation, there are additional options nearby. For more details, including travel information to help you plan your way to Laško, click here:

Laško, Slovenia

Laško is a tourist town with a rich spa, mining, and brewing tradition, where a variety of activities can be enjoyed by everyone. Hikers and cyclists will appreciate numerous well-maintained paths in nature, and different spa facilities for relaxation and swimming are only 10 minutes away.

Slovenia is a land of exceptional natural, cultural and culinary diversity, perfect for anyone, enjoying pristine nature, outdoor activities and exquisite cuisine based on seasonal and local ingredients.

Many world renowned destinations like Lake Bled, Postojna cave, Soča Valley, Lipica, Velika planina and Ljubljana, are all less than 3 hour drive from conference venue. Enjoy your stay in Slovenia!

FEES and PRICES

Conference fee includes conference materials and welcome drinks, snacks, coffee, water and juice during coffee breaks.

General information about food and accomodation

Daily lunch will be available at the conference venue for the price of 23 eur/day. This offer menu includes soup OR cold appetizer, main dish (with two types of meat and 2 types of side dishes), mixed salad and dessert. 

A general price for accomodation at the Hotel Laško Špica, including breakfast and tourist tax, is 65 eur/day*, depending on the type of room and number of nights you will be staying. Find more details here.

* only available in a conference package (from 27th September to 1st October 2025)

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT US AT

pdte.agm.2025@gmail.com

+386 41 890 900

REGISTRATION

All presentations will be held in English.

Registrations are now CLOSED. Only exceptionally and with prior agreement with the organizer, late registration may be allowed.