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LIVE LECTURE

VNCON 2025 – Growing Pains: Brains Under Construction, Behaviour Out of Control

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About the webinar

Adolescence is a challenging stage for dogs – and their humans. This session explores the changes happening in the adolescent dog’s brain, how these shifts affect behaviour, and the impact of factors such as the second fear period, desexing, and phantom pregnancies. Practical strategies for client communication, management, and training will also be shared to support better outcomes and stronger pet retention.

You will be able to join the live webinar directly from this page.

When is it?

Note: This webinar is being recorded. If you are unable to attend the live lecture, a link to the recording will be shared with you a few days following the lecture.

SPEAKER

Maria Alomajan

CDBC, IAABC-ADT, CANZ-ABC, CANZ-ATI

Maria Alomajan is a Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant and Accredited Dog Trainer with the IAABC and CANZ, as well as a Fear Free Certified Professional. With over 15 years of experience, she has trained and rehabilitated dogs worldwide, from pet puppies to feral and high-risk cases, using force-free, science-based methods.

Her expertise spans behaviour, enrichment, scent work, aggression management, and cognitive function, and she has trained under industry leaders such as Dr Susan Friedman, Ian Dunbar, Ken Ramirez, and Sophia Yin. Maria has contributed to major projects, including PD Insurance’s “Lead the Way” program and Southern Cross Pet Insurance’s Hi Viz campaign for pet safety.


Maria has also worked in live theatre, serving as the lead dog trainer for “Annie the Musical” and “Legally Blonde”, selecting and training canine performers. She is the author of “Dogs in Action – Working Dogs and Their Stories” and has volunteered with Urban Search & Rescue, Avalanche Rescue, and multiple dog welfare organisations.


Her philosophy centres on three key principles:
🐾 Do no harm – prioritising fear and force free training
🐾 Agency for all animals
🐾 Dialogue – listen to what the animal is telling you


Maria’s global experience and deep passion for education, welfare, and advocacy continue to shape her impactful work in the world of dog behaviour and training.

Live Webinars

This webinar starts at 12:00 AEDT
on October 15, 2025.

1 Structured CE Credit

Race Pending

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Dr Philip Judge

BVSc MVS PG Cert Vet Clin Stud MACVSc (Vet. Emergency and Critical Care; Medicine of Dogs)
Philip graduated from Massey University in New Zealand in 1992, and spent 7 years in small animal practice before undertaking a 3-year residency in veterinary emergency and critical care at the University of Melbourne in 1998.

Following his residency, Philip worked for nearly 6 years at the Animal Emergency Centre in Melbourne, becoming the Senior Veterinarian at the centre in 2004. In 2006, Philip undertook a 1-year surgical externship before moving to Townsville to take up the position of Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care at JCU.
Philip is also co-founder, and director of Vet Education Pty Ltd (www.veteducation.com) – one of Australia’s leading providers of online continuing education for veterinarians and veterinary nurses.

Philip has published numerous manuals and guides concerning emergency medicine, including a CRI manual, haematology and biochemistry interpretation guide, emergency anaesthesia guide, and a ventilation therapy manual for small animals, in addition to being published in peer reviewed literature.

Philip’s key interests in veterinary science include respiratory emergencies, ventilation therapy, envenomations and toxicology.