Where we sit down with Sarah Dixon for a frank discussion about a harm-reduction approach to animal training, why our reinforcement-minded messaging is failing to reach the right people--our animal-owning clients, and the benefits of gap-bridging.

Also, Matthias' gratitude to Sarah for her approach to newbs, Lauren's training-minded adaption of the National Harm Reduction Coalition's guiding principles, and what this episode actually should have been called.

⁠Barks and Recreation website⁠

⁠Sarah's online training school⁠

⁠Lauren's harm reduction principles adaptation⁠

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Topic or guest suggestions? Fan mail? Hate mail? We love to hear from you all!

Email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Where we sit down with Jeff Silverman for a discussion about the benefits of allowing the owner to be the main decision maker in the owner-trainer business relationship, the perils of ignoring the end user's needs, and ways to honour what the client really wants while also meeting the animal's needs.

"My clients are the experts in what they need, and I am the expert in what is possible."

Also, the reality that your client is likely not a big ol' training nerd, Matthias' reflection on his use of the word 'lazy' in the last episode, and Lauren's post-recording realization that we could make an effective podcast drinking game by taking a drink every time she blames certifying bodies for things. Sorry, Listeners!

Training Tracks

Goal Orientated Approach Article

Training Tracks Website

Topic or guest suggestions? Fan mail? Hate mail? We love to hear from you all!

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Where we sit down in a cheap motel room with Dr David Lane for a discussion about some differences in how we approach animals for veterinary care and training or behaviour modification work: giving clients treatment options and causing animals tolerable stress or discomfort.

Also, having the willingness to refer to another professional if something is outside of your wheelhouse, respecting client autonomy, and the difficulties of trusting professionals to do their work.

⁠Predation Substitute Training⁠

Topic or guest suggestions? Fan mail? Hate mail? We love to hear from you all!

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Where we sit down with Dr Sam Couper for a discussion about what science is (and isn't), and how research about training and behaviour may (or may not) be relevant to our work as boots-on-the-ground animal training and behaviour professionals.

Also, Lauren's justification for feeding dogs ice cream cones, 'publish or perish' in academia, and a case for the dreaded 'doing your own research'.

Sam's website

Sam's IG

Sam's Facebook

Sam's TikTok

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Where we sit down with dog trainer Kristi Walker for a frank discussion about her personal journey in moving away from using harsh training, led by experiences with her own dog.

Also, Kristi & Bren's turning point, our very normal, human reactions to criticism from others, and possible ways to better effect change in our industry.

Ideal Canine website

Ideal Canine IG

Where we sit down with Verena Sutherland for a discussion about her journey through the stages of being a crossover trainer, the pain of changing your beliefs, and who - if anyone - identifying labels serve.

Also, how constructional approaches might be the gateway drug to paradigm shifts, having discussions about 'amputation-equivalents' in our industry, and Lauren escapes having to publicly say 'I drink lemonade gladly', in German.

IG Reward Your Dog Training

TT Reward Your Dog Training

Website Reward Your Dog Training

Reward Your Dog Training Podcast Patreon

Fan mail? Hate mail? Topic or guest suggestions? Email us @ [email protected]

Where we sit down once again with Sarah Stremming for a timely talk about recent events in the Olympic horse world, the harms of subjective judging in sport, and using values to guide our competitive natures.

Also the lifelong effects of putting sparkly pink whips into children's hands, selective breeding of animals to 'wear' pressure, and a discussion about if vilification of offenders is the most productive way we can move forward.

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Where we sit down for a discussion about what happens if/when we can't give animals choice and control, minimizing behavioural injury, and the role of cognitive appraisal during what might be stressful events.

Also a harrowing tale about Lauren's first combat roll whitewater kayaking, what not to say to a child who falls off a horse, and the motivating factors that get Matthias on scary rollercoasters.

Dr Deb Jones' Cooperative Care titles

Dr Amy Cook's Play Way

Pony formerly afraid of oral meds

Teaching a pony 'You have no choice here'

Child and meteor cartoon

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Where we sit down for a discussion about the efficacy of lecture-based versus hands-on learning, the importance of real-world, practical experience, and the debate over whether trainers should compete to validate their skills.

Also, we discuss using The Bucket Game with children, who would win an escalator competition, and how Lauren isn't great at keeping what happens in Vegas, in Vegas.

Learning by trying vs passive listening article

The Bucket Game intro

Pony receives oral meds video

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Where we sit down with the rational Ruth Crisler for a discussion about the ethical considerations and practical applications of aversives in animal training, particularly within the positive reinforcement training community.

Also, the importance of open, non-judgmental dialogue around the use of aversives, the need for clear and accurate definitions, and the potential for aversives to provide valuable information and enhance training efficiency.

Ruth Crisler See Spot Run

Matthias' Partners in Crime presentation

Lauren's Understand Horses Courses

Fan mail? Hate mail? Topic suggestions? Email us @

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠