Ready to upskill your communication game in a truly meaningful way?

Join us for a lively and thought-provoking webinar as Mediator and Certified Professional Dog Trainer Carmaleta Aufderheide takes us into the heart of conflict resolution. What it is, why it matters, and how it can completely reshape your approach to client relationships, and personal well-being.

You'll gain practical tools for creating and maintaining safe spaces, enhancing emotional intelligence (EQ), and learn how to spot a “counterfeit yes” before it derails a conversation.

We'll also unpack how science and emotional humility intersect in training, and why stepping away from a “fix-it” mindset opens the door to more authentic client-trainer engagement. Plus, we’ll tackle boundaries, burnout, and the fine art of asking better questions!

  • Discover what is meant by Conflict Resolution. Why should we know about it? And why do we as humans avoid difficult conversations?

  • Understand why building resilience to conflict is a prerequisite for resolution.

  • Learn how to develop Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in preparation for difficult discussions.

  • Learn to spot a “counterfeit yes”, and discover ways to unlock better client-trainer engagement .

  • Unpack labels, looping, burn out, and boundaries. What do these all mean in the context of conflict?

  • See how you can obtain better information from clients for the sake of their dogs, in thoughtful conversation.

  • Discover how to create a truly safe space.

  • This event, as well as our entire learning library is available as a Member of the Grisha Stewart Academy.

  • Join as a Library Pass Holder if you prefer to stream recordings, or join as a Diamond All Access Pass Holder if you want access to everything including this live event! See below for more details.

What to Expect

  • 2 Hours of Content

    This webinar and interactive Q&A with Carm, was hosted by Tom Candy and supported by Team GSA. It ran for approx 2 hours.

    Accessibility:

    The recording includes an automated session transcript and English captions.

  • Resources & Continuing Education Units

    IAABC 2 CEUs, CCPDT 2 CEUs

    A Certificate of Completion will be available to download from your account once you have finished the course. You can use this to obtain CEUs/CPD.

  • Continue the Learning

    Diamond Members!

    You can interact with Carm, Tom, Team GSA and your fellow Members in your private FB group exclusive for Diamonds. Get your questions answered by experienced members of the GSA!

    Carm will also be joining Tom for a special extended Q+A session in our Diamond Members Meet Up for October.

Meet Your Instructor

Certiifed Dog Trainer, and Conflict Resolution Expert

Carmaleta Aufderheide, MS-CRES, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, CSAT

Carmaleta Aufderheide (Carm) is a positive reinforcement/force-free trainer in Springfield, Oregon. She holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution (CRES) and is a trained mediator. She is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA-CTP), is a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA), and a certified separation anxiety trainer(CSAT).

In 2016, Carm completed graduate studies in conflict and dispute resolution (CRES) at the University of Oregon. She researched the potential restorative impact of prison animal programming, where incarcerated individuals worked with and shared their confined living quarters with dogs nationwide. Insights from her research were included in a chapter of “Prison Dog Programs,” published by Springer. It was this research that inspired her career working with dogs.

From 2016 to 2020, she dedicated time to transformative initiatives for vulnerable populations. She co-directed and facilitated an innovative education and restorative justice program for adults in custody at the Oregon State Correctional Institution in collaboration with The Insight Development Group (IDG). Her work with IDG allowed her to witness firsthand the profound impacts of education, opportunity, and restorative practices among individuals who often conflicted with themselves, their past, present, and future. Drawing inspiration from her research and work with IDG, Carm applies lessons from these experiences to foster better connections with dogs and their families, ultimately reducing frustration.

Today, Carm owns Northstar Training Solutions. Building on her conflict resolution (CRES) background, she applies mediation and facilitation skills to navigate challenging conversations, enhance training outcomes, and enhance collaborative problem-solving when communication becomes tense or strained. Since speaking at the 2024 Aggression in Dogs Conference on improving communication skills in professional dog training, she has discussed communication on several training podcasts and collaborated with other animal professionals to enhance their conversational toolbox.

Ready to Transform the Way You Handle Tough Conversations?

You can purchase this webinar or become a Member of the Grisha Stewart Academy and get all our courses and events for one low price a month.
See below for more details and what's included in each option.

  • $29.00

    $29.00Dancing With Doubt: Navigating Hard Client Conversations with Carmaleta Aufderheide

    One time payment that includes access to the live event, course materials and the recording.

    Enrollment never expires. Watch whenever you like, for as may times you like!

    Buy Now

  • $19.99 / month

    $19.99 / monthGSA Library Pass

    On-demand access to the recording of this event as well as our entire learning library of over 160 webinars and courses.

    A Library Pass is the ideal choice if you are interested in a great value membership option, but don't need all the extras included in the All Access Pass (see below), or can't attend live events.

    New content added every month, and you can get CEUs with this pass too!
    Sign Up!

  • $29.99 / month

    $29.99 / monthDiamond Membership All Access Pass

    This is the best choice if you are a professional or aspiring dog trainer and are looking for more than just webinars.

    This pass not only includes access to all recorded webinars (over 160 at last count!) but also the:

    Member's Only Monthly On Demand videos by Grisha Stewart (NEW for 2025), Members Meet Ups, Live Case Studies & Panel Discussions, an Exclusive FB Group, a free listing in our Dog Trainer Directory and the exclusive opportunity to become a CBATI-KA/KSA.
    Sign Up!

  • $29.00

    $29.00Diamond Membership All Access Pass

    Member for a Month 30 Day Pass

    All the benefits of a Diamond Membership, but for a limited time of 30 days.

    Ideal if you would like to try being a Diamond without signing up for a monthly subscription, or if you are interested in a particular topic and would like to attend those live events.

    The pass is valid for 30 days from the date of purchase and does not renew.
    Buy Now!

  • $39.99 / month

    $39.99 / monthDiamond Membership All Access Pass

    This is the best choice if you are a professional or aspiring dog trainer and are looking for more than just webinars.

    This pass not only includes access to all recorded webinars (over 160 at last count!) but also the:

    Member's Only Monthly On Demand videos by Grisha Stewart (NEW for 2025), Members Meet Ups, Live Case Studies & Panel Discussions, an Exclusive FB Group, a free listing in our Dog Trainer Directory and the exclusive opportunity to become a CBATI-KA/KSA.
    Sign Up!

If you choose to purchase a Membership, your subscription will go for a month from the start date and then renew automatically each month after that. You can easily cancel renewal at any time and your access to the content will just expire on your renewal date.

Already a Member? You're already enrolled in this event, at no extra charge. Just log in and refresh this page, and you'll see a Start Learning or Resume Learning button on the top.

Scholarships: We have a variety of Scholarship available as we believe cost should never be a barrier to education.  Click here for scholarship information.