This episode Heather Samper, Moody Gardens and “All Things ABMA”, discusses the importance of body language while training. The first part of the episode focuses on learning to read an animal learner’s body language, how to implement that into your sessions, and the benefits of being a keen listener of body language.  The second portion of the episode focuses on why it is so vital for us as trainers to be cognizant of our own body language.  Stay tuned in for two "Training Tales" from Heather! The first is a hilarious story involving a coati and Russian secret service agents (yes, you read that correctly) and the second is an in depth look into search and rescue with Heather’s beagle.  For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] To reach Heather about ABMA related discussions email [email protected] or [email protected] and for items regarding MyTrainingStore.com email [email protected] Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

This episode Kelli Meyers, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, discusses The 10 Modern Principles of Shaping as created by Karen Pryor and how they have evolved from "The 10 Laws of Shaping". Kelli breaks down each principle and gives advice on how to best implement and think about each of the principles. The 10 principles can be found below in the timestamps for this episode. Stay tuned in for Kelli's "Training Tale" about how she had to get really creative with her body positioning (hint: it included floating in the middle of the habitat) to help teach a sea lion a "clapping" behavior. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to reach Kelli you can email [email protected] Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

This episode Esther Verhoeven discusses the human perception of animal intelligence (both from the point of view of an animal care professional and a guest) and how that effects behavior. The conversation starts with Esther discussing how behaviorists should view animal intelligence so that it doesn't create excuses or affect the way we manage the animals in our care. Esther finishes the discussion by commenting on educating guests about animal intelligence and the importance of the language that we use when talking to and about animals. Stay tuned in for Esther's "Training Tale" as she dives into discussing how dolphins perceived the idea of a behavior differently during scuba diving training sessions For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to reach Esther you can find her on all major social medias (Estherv_n). Link to Esther's Ted Talk:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCqOCQ4J9qc Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

This episode Gabby Harris, uShake Sea World, discusses an article that she wrote for "Engage", the quarterly behavior publication of The ABMA. The article is titled "Welfare Considerations for Behavior Management of Animals in Human-Care: The Role of Self Regulation”. Gabby educates about why self-regulation can affect an animal's wellbeing and how we can provide opportunities for self-regulation to animals. Stay tuned in for two "Training Tales" each focusing on learning moments with dolphins! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to contact Gabby email [email protected] or visit her website: www.touchinganimalsouls.blogspot.com To read the article in "Engage": engage Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

4:40 Introduction to Gabby Harris 

12:30 Summary of “Engage” article

15:45 Mental wellbeing of animals 

18:25 Definition of Self-Regulation 

22:40 Providing opportunities for self-regulation

42:25 Optimism of animals 

43:50 “Training Tales”

This episode Kyle Banton-Jones, Wild Enrichment, discusses the importance of focusing on the individual vs the group or species in regards to behavioral husbandry. This episode was recorded in collaboration with Kyle's podcast and is a compliment to episode 53 of the Wild Enrichment Podcast, so be sure to check out here: https://wildenrichment.podbean.com In continuation from that episode, Kyle talks about the evolution of enrichment and advancing behavioral husbandry of under-represented species. Additionally, Kyle discusses an article that he wrote, "Behavioral Husbandry for the Individual", and gives considerations for focusing on both the species/group while also ensuring that individual animal's needs are met. Stay tuned in for Kyle's "Training Tale" about how a macaw gave him a lightbulb moment about communicating with animals while training . For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to reach Kyle email [email protected] or contact any of Wild Enrichment's social channels. To learn more about Wild Enrichment, read the article that this episode discusses, and utilize their resources visit: https://wildenrichment.com Let's talk some training!

6:00 Introduction to Kyle Banton-Jones and Wild Enrichment 

10:50 How the word “enrichment” has evolved and changed 

13:45 Advancing behavioral husbandry in “under-represented” species

20:20 Behavioral Husbandry for the Individual 

23:45 Considerations from the viewpoint of the species

28:40 Considerations from the viewpoint of the individual  

31:45 Providing opportunities for the group while also providing opportunities for the individual 

34:15 Focusing on one individual’s enrichment goals within a group 

38:10 The importance of applicable data collection 

39:30 “Training Tales”

This episode Dani Larson, Southwick's Zoo, discusses prompts and how they provide additional information to animal learners. Dani gives great examples of prompts and discusses the difference between a prompt and a discriminative stimulus. Additionally, Dani educates about the importance of fading prompts, but also how to utilize prompts when a behavior breakdown. Stay tuned in for a wild "Training Tale" about how Dani used a soup spoon to teach her dog "Paw". For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to reach Dani contact her on Instagram, @danipoirier, or email [email protected] Let's talk some training!

5:55 Introduction to Dani Larson 

11:25 Definition of a Prompt 

13:40 Examples of prompts 

18:35 The difference between a prompt and a discriminative stimulus (cue) 

21:30 Fading out prompts 

29:15 How to fade out a prompt 

38:40 How to utilize a prompt when a behavior breaks down

43:25 “Training Tales”

This episode Meghan Holst, one of the co-founders of MIAZS (Minorities in Aquarium and Zoo Science), adds another addition to "The Behaviors of..." series by discussing the behaviors of allyship and giving insight in to MIAZS as an organization. Meghan educates about what allyship is and ways in which everyone can be involved in being an ally. Meghan also talks about how to professionally and effectively bring up social justice issues in a workplace and why human behavior is just as important as animal behavior. "The healthier and supported humans are, the healthier and supported the animals are." Stay tuned for Meghan's "Training Tale" about conditioning an electrical signal bridge for sharks. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to reach Meghan email [email protected]. Also, check out all of the free, informational resources offered by MIAZS on their website. https://www.miazs.org Let's talk some training!

3:35 Introduction to Meghan Holst 

8:30 All about MIAZS (Minorities in Aquarium and Zoo Sciences) 

17:30 How to get involved and support MIAZS 

19:35 What is Allyship? 

23:00 Behaviors of being an ally 

28:15 How to bring up social justice issues in the workplace 

33:20 Why is human behavior just as important as animal behavior 

38:40 “Training Tales”

This episode special guest, Sabrina Brando, AnimalConcepts, continues the welfare discussion from episode 35 with a focus on introducing the topic of Welfare Assessments. Sabrina discusses a holistic approach to welfare and the necessity of observational, research-focused data as opposed to emotional thinking in welfare assessments. Sabrina also explains the difference between output-based and input-based welfare assessments. The episode ends with a conversation about constant welfare analysis and effective assessments models. Stay tuned for Sabrina's "Training Tale" about reinforcing a dolphin for saying "no" and not coming to her when asked. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to reach Sabrina contact her on the AnimalConcepts website ⁠https://www.animalconcepts.eu/,⁠ LinkedIn, or the AnimalConcepts social channels. Also, check out all of the free, informational resources offered by AnimalConcepts on their website.  Let's talk some training!

This episode concludes Behavior Month 2023 with special guest, Sabrina Brando, AnimalConcepts, to discuss this week's theme for Behavior Month 2023: Welfare Around the World. This episode serves as the podcast's introduction to welfare with plans for future episodes to dive deeper into the science of welfare. Sabrina explains what welfare science is and the different lenses in which we can view animal welfare. Sabrina also discusses the Five Domains Model and the importance of affective states to animal welfare. Stay tuned for Sabrina's powerful "Training Tale" about a monkey taking his choices into his own hands. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to reach Sabrina contact her on the AnimalConcepts website https://www.animalconcepts.eu/, LinkedIn, or the AnimalConcepts social channels. Also, check out all of the free, informational resources offered by AnimalConcepts on their website.  Let's talk some training!

This episode continues the learning of Behavior Month 2023 with special guests from The ABMA Board of Directors; Chris Jenkins, Marni Wood, and Justin Garner. The panel of guests discuss this week's theme for Behavior Month 2023: The Human-Animal Connection. The panel talks about the importance of having strong, trusting relationships with animals and tackles the questions: how do we evaluate our relationships with animals and what makes for a "good" or a "bad" relationship? The panel also offers advice on how to grow a relationship through changing our own actions. Stayed tuned for a "Training Tale" from podcast host, Shane, about how his relationship with a red river hog paid off during a unique situation. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to reach any of our panel of guests you can email [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected] Let's talk some training!

4:35 Introduction to Chris Jenkins, Justin Garner, and Marni Wood 

8:40 Human-Animal Relationships from an academic lens 

10:25 Building human-animal relationships in a modern setting 

16:25 What defines/how do you measure a “good” relationship 

20:15 What would cause you to define a relationship as “bad”

27:35 When and when not to take away from your trust account 

31:40 If the relationship needs improved, how do we strengthen it 

35:25 What can we, the human learner, change in our behavior

41:15 Reading animal body language 

43:50 Advice for building a stronger, better relationship 

51:00 The future role of human-animal relationships in welfare science 

52:50 “Training Tales”