Animal Training Academy

[Episode 131] - Erica Feuerbacher; Assistant Professor of Companion Animal Welfare and Behavior

3:10 - Ryan asks Erica if she can take the listeners back to the first time she heard about animal training. 15:20 - Erica discusses how her curiosity developed from a young age. 17:30 - Ryan asks Erica about how she discusses statements from others that may not have any scientific data supporting them - The two questions Erica would love people to ask! 21:05 - Ryan asks Erica what she is doing in 2020 and where the listeners can find out more about her. 24:30 - Talking about shelt...

[Episode 130] - Trish McMillan; Improving shelters in 2020 & beyond...

3:00 - Trish shares where she began her positive reinforcement animal training journey. 7:00 - Trish explains how she started working in a shelter environment, how it led to working with the San Francisco’s SPCA and developed into the opportunity to work towards achieving a Master’s Degree in Animal Behaviour. 11:00 - Trish and Ryan discuss the opportunity Trish created to speak with Dr Sophia Yin and the early training Trish dog with her Dalmatian. 12:30 - Ryan asks more about Trish...

[Episode 129] – Sonya Bevan; Part 2 - brave sharing about cancer, amputation & grief!

[Episode 128] – Sonya Bevan; Part 2 - brave sharing about cancer, amputation & grief!

[Episode 128] - Sonya Bevan; Part 1 - Dog charming in Perth, Australia

1:20 - Ryan introduces Sonya Bevan 4:00 - Sonya takes Ryan and the listeners back to where she first learned about positive reinforcement training and the journey from a career in being a physio to a behaviour consultant and dog trainer. 19:10 - Ryan asks how Sonya’s background in physio has helped her in her new profession. 20:20 - Sonya explains the assessment process she uses in her dog training and behaviour consultants. 24:15 - Ryan is curious if Sonya has a process for data c...

[Episode 127] Shelly Wood - Introducing new dogs into your home & to your other animals...

3:10 - Shelly takes us back to where her journey begin with positive reinforcement animal training. 19:30 - Ryan asks Shelly to share her work with children at Epic Pals - pairing children with dogs preparing to be adopted. 23:20 - Ryan and Shelly discuss the use of PORTL and resources used in the Epic Pals program and how it impacts the children 25:00 - Ryan asks where you can find out more about Shelly’s work at ‘Drop your jaws dog training’ and ‘Epic’ 26:00 - Ryan introduces the...

[Episode 126] Caitlin Coberly - Dog training 101 & running online communities

3:45 - Ryan asks about Caitlin’s PhD in Evolutionary Biology and Caitlin shares her stories and journey of how positive reinforcement training began for her. 13:35 - Ryan asks how the diverse areas of her knowledge influence and blend into Caitlin’s current work. 17:25 - Caitlin explains with an example how she asks about behaviours using a diagnostic approach when using an online platform. 18:35 - Ryan expands the discussion point in relation to online social platform (Facebook) com...

[Episode 125] Chris Shank - Cockatoo Downs

1:20 - Ryan introduces Chris Shank 4:50 - Chris takes us back to the start of her training journey 12:00 - Chris explains that her new education and skills were difficult to transfer to her own pets 13:25 - Ryan asks about what valuable learning opportunities occurred from Chris’s time working with dolphins in the US and in Germany. 16:45 - Chris is honest and brave about sharing her experience regarding her introduction to breeding birds and the impact to her life. 20:45 - Ryan ...

[Episode 124] Constructional affection with Sean Will

3:10 - Sean shares how he started on his training journey and how constructional affection was ‘born’ 15:50 - Ryan asks: Do some trainers have a reliance on food? Or are not looking for other methods or reinforcers? 20:20 - Sean introduces how he used CAT and CA with his own dog. 21:20 - Sean describes the procedure of Constructional Affection and outlines the two main steps required: Step 1: The interaction guidelines & Step 2: The affection required 28:07 - Sean defines the term ...

[Episode 123] Malena DeMartini; Separation anxiety amid a pandemic...

4:00 - How does the current global situation with the pandemic & subsequent change in our routines influence our animals and their behaviors. 4:20 - Malena defines and unpacks the term ‘Separation Anxiety’ 6:44 - Ryan describes his own experience of a panic attack 7:30 - Ryan asks how do we build empathy in dog owners towards the effect of a panic attack or separation anxiety 10:45 - Malena’s shares the importance of helping clients to understand ‘The Why’ of the treatment of separ...

[Episode 122] Dr Afiya Fredericks – The Growth Mindset, Part 2

* 4:45 - Ryan asks Afiya to expand on her academic journey and how she chose to study a Masters and Phd on the topic of growth mindset * 9:16 - Afiya explains how struggle in her personal studies impacted her mindset. * 9:50 -  The game changer for Afiya…How she became receptive and open to seeing failure as an opportunity to grow and learn. * 12:45 - Afiya explains how gratitude presented an opportunity in Mindsetworks * 17:35 - Afiya discusses how preparation of mindset opens ...

[Episode 121] Dr Afiya Fredericks - The Growth Mindset, Part 1

* 4:30 - The Growth Mindset defined, why it is important and how it impacts and influences both behaviours and outcomes in our lives * 8:00 - Ryan and Afiya raise how the context, & individual learning history may support and impact the development of our mindset * 9:10 - Afiya shares ideas on where our mindset comes from * 11:45 - How success impacts our mindset * 15:00 - How praise can influence our mindset * 18:00 - How communicating and rewarding a process rather than the...

Steve Martin: Natural Encounters Inc. - Problems are opportunities in disguise! [Bonus Episode]

* 4:06 - Steve talks about when he first learned about positive reinforcement training and shares some stories from that time. * 8:45 – Steve shares about learning to give the animal a voice by being a student of body language and his move to becoming “the partner of the bird”. * 12:43 – Ryan asks Steve to share with the listeners how they might become better observers of behavior. * 16:15 – Steve talks about his process in building high trust accounts with people to give them feed...

[Episode 120] Lili Chin - changing the world one drawing at a time!

* 3:34 – Lili shares about when she first learned about positive reinforcement animal training, including a story about her dog Boogie. * 10:39 – Lili talks about Boogie and some things she has learned from him. * 12:14 – Illustrating dog body language has become a bit of an obsession for Lili. * 18:46 – Ryan asks Lili to share about reaching out to Sophia Yin to collaborate. * 27:21 – Lili uses art to make language about positive reinforcement training accessible to the public....

[Episode 119] - Dr Gregory Hanley; Values first & Widely effective!

* 3:44 – Greg talks about getting started in the field of Behavior Analysis. * 9:13 – Greg shares about some pivotal moments in his career. * 14:17 – About Greg's company - FTF Behavior - and the work that they do. * 22:15 – Greg tells people they can visit www.practicalfunctionalassessment.com and go to the “Implementation Assistance” tab to find information about how to improve sleep. * 23:54 – Ryan asks Greg to share important considerations he makes when teaching clients abo...

Ken Ramirez; On pandemics & 'staycations' [BONUS episode]

* 5:22 – Ken discusses some of the changes that he and KPA have had to make as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic [including changes to the Karen Pryor Professional dog training certification]. * 16:57 – Ryan asks Ken to share what message he can give to trainers who are currently struggling. * 31:14 – Ryan asks Ken if he can share some thoughts on how trainers may best serve others during this time. * 39:30 – Ken shares about a time he felt vulnerable but still had courage to move ...

Vidhya Karthikeyan - The Unlikely Tricksters; Concept Training

* 3:37 – Vidhya talks about when she first learned about positive reinforcement training and shares some stories from that time. * 11:04 – Ryan asks Vidhya to talk about how she processes it when she sees others using aversives in animal training. * 14:40 – Vidhya talks about the need for more widely available education about what can be done with positive reinforcement. * 20:43 – Vidhya talks about the questions she asks herself related to her training. * 35:07 – Ryan asks Vidh...

Marjie Alonso - Executive Director IAABC; The lemonade conference

* 3:38 – Marjie talks about how she became a dog trainer and shares some stories from that time. * 20:13 – Marjie discusses how her approach to learning has helped her as the Executive Director of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). * 24:50 – Ryan asks Marjie to talk a bit about what she means by some people viewing the use or non/use of certain tools in training as a religion. * 30:11 – Marjie talks about the importance of accountability and colla...

Nicolette Canzoneri – Applying the laws of behavior science to ‘help save world’

1:30 – Ryan introduces Nicolette. 3:45 – Nicolette talks about her positive reinforcement journey and some of the first animals she trained. 6:13 – Nicolette shares some memories from her time in the Exotic Training and Animal Management Program at Moorpark College. 8:55 – A little about Nicolette’s time working with the Navy and how and why she ultimately decided to follow her curiosity to graduate school. 14:40 – Ryan asks Nicolette how she is able to turn her curiosity into action...

Bryan Shelton - Aubrey Daniels International consultant

1:27 – Ryan introduces Bryan. 3:35 – Bryan talks about Aubrey Daniels International. 7:07 – Bryan’s journey to behavioral analysis and work with organizations and businesses is discussed. 14:36 – Ryan asks Bryan if he always knew he wanted to work in Organizational Behavioral Management. 17:37 – Bryan talks about what he thinks his wife might say it is like to be married to someone who works in the field of behavioral science. 20:00 – “A day in the life of Bryan.” 24:09 – Bryan e...

[Episode 113] Leslie Eide; Managing fitness for all dogs...

* 3:56 – Leslie talks about where she first learned about positive reinforcement training and shares some stories from that time. * 7:40 – Ryan asks Leslie what she brought with her from her time as a swimmer that has helped her in dog training. * 9:43 – Leslie talks about her introduction to behaviorism through reading Dr. Nicholas Dodman’s book. * 10:52 – Leslie talks about her dog Tundra and some of the things she learned from Tundra’s challenges with other dogs. * 14:30 – Leslie ...

[Episode 112] Colleen Pelar - Honour the experience of the people we are with...

* 3:05 - Colleen and Ryan talk about burn out and the high rates of it out among pet care professionals. * 6:40 – Ryan asks Colleen about compassion fatigue. * 8:40 – Ryan asks Colleen to share her story - beginning with where she learned about positive reinforcement training. * 27:35 – Colleen talks about when she began making the shift from training to diving into positive psychology. * 30:08 – Colleen talks about her current work helping pet professionals to develop stronger resil...

[Episode 111] - Lori Stevens; The importance of observation...

* 3:33 – Lori talks about where she first learned about positive reinforcement animal training and shares some stories from the first animals she ever trained. * 9:16 - The importance of having good observation skills is explained. * 16:45 – Ryan asks Lori to talk about how she has managed her own self-care through the years. * 21:50 – Lori shares about her various professional certifications and why she believes professional certifications are important. * 24:43 – Lori talks about t...

Dr Jesús Rosales-Ruiz; Associate professor of Behavior Analysis [part 2]

* 1:51 – Jesús talks about working with students to design research projects based on “hot topic” training ideas. * 4:38 – Poisoned cues are discussed including a research project done by Jesús and one of his students. * 17: 09 - Jesús says he believes the new frontier of animal training is a deeper understanding of stimulus control and how to use that to solve problems and enhance our work. * 17:33 – Jesús talks about PORTL (Portable Operant Research and Teaching Lab). * 19:09 – Jes...

Dr Jesús Rosales-Ruiz; Associate professor of Behavior Analysis [part 1]

* 1:25 - Ryan introduces Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz. * 3:45 - Jesús talks about where he first learned about Applied Behavior Analysis and what led him to his current work. * 17:58 - Jesús talks about meeting Karen Pryor and Gary Wilkes in 1992 at the Association of Applied Behavior Analysis International. * 20:15 - Jesús was hired by the University of North Texas (UNT) and begins using pets to teach students the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. * 23:20 - Bob and Marian Bailey vo...

[Episode 108] Chad Crittle - Crittle's Christmas Critter Chats

* 1:25 - Ryan introduces Chad. * 4:17 - Chad talks about when he first learned of positive reinforcement animal training and shares stories of some of the first animals he trained. * 14:17 - Ryan asks Chad to fill the audience in on the time between his career & his current work - including sharing about some of the amazing people he has had the opportunity to work with. * 20:27 - Chad talks a bit about his work with marine mammals. * 24:40 - Chad discusses his current role as the Se...

[Episode 107] - Sarah Stremming - The Cognitive Canine

Sarah is the founder of The Cognitive Canine, a dog trainer, dog agility and obedience competitor, and dog behavior consultant.  She travels the globe helping dogs and handlers understand each other better. Her credentials include a bachelors of science degree in psychology from Colorado State University, and more than a decade in the field of dog training and behavior with her special interest area being problem solving for performance dogs. She is committed to education and growth in t...

[Episode 105] Greg Vicino - Five Opportunities to Thrive

1:25 - Ryan introduces Greg. 3:27 – Greg talks about his recent work in Kenya with the Kenya Wildlife Service. 7:50 – Greg’s journey to becoming the Curator of Applied Welfare at San Diego Zoo is discussed. 18:50 – Greg shares how he learned to evolve to create effective change within systems. 24:34 – The reason for the title of “Curator of Applied Animal Welfare” is explained. 27:21 – Ryan asks Greg to share what an average week is like for him. 30:11 – Greg explains the “Five O...

[Episode 106] - Wes Anderson; Inventor of the Pet Tutor®️

* 1:36 - Ryan introduces Wes. * 5:55 – Wes shares about his experience training chickens with Bob Bailey and how that influenced his decision to further the use of technology in animal training. * 10:28 – Wes talks about his background in engineering and statistics. * 12:18 – Ryan asks Wes to tell the listeners how his background in these fields merged with his interest in behavior science and positive animal training. * 15:30 – Wes talks about how he made connections with other...

[Episode 104] Jennifer Shryock - Family Paws

* 1:30 – Ryan introduces Jennifer Shryock. * 5:17 – Jennifer talks about where she first learned about positive reinforcement animal training and shares some stories of the first animals she trained. * 7:17 – Jennifer talks about adopting Moose, a German Shepherd dog, when she had two small children. * 13:52 – Jennifer shares about the next part of her journey that led her to where she is today. * 18:11 – The importance of persistence and consistence in developing a dog and baby...

[Episode 103] Mary Hunter - PORTL; Your Portable Operant Research and Teaching Lab.

* 3:40 – Mary’s behavioural odyssey is shared. * 13:51 – Mary’s journey to getting her Masters degree at the University of North Texas is discussed. * 21:13 – The evolution of the Portable Operant Research and Teaching Lab (PORTL). * 41:39 – And explanation of the PORTL lab manual’s contents and purposes. * 47:19 – Mary talks about PORTL ripples. * 48:52 – Visit www.behaviorexplorer.com to purchase your own PORTL manual and explore other available resources. * 50:19 – Mary...

[Episode 102] Bex Tasker – Positively together

* 3:46 – Bex shares her behavioural odyssey [where she first got started in positive reinforcement animal training]. * 17:24 – Bex talks about her drive and motivation to keep learning, questioning the norm and following her gut. * 20:54 – Learning from our own experiences can help us have compassion for others. * 29:00 - Five things that positive reinforcement with horses has taught Bex about leading a better life and about training other species [including humans] are discussed. * ...

[Episode 101] Veronica Boutelle - 8 Biggest Dog Training Business Myths

* 1:28 - Ryan introduces Veronica. * 4:47 – Veronica talks about dogbiz University and directs people to visit https://dogbizsuccess.com/ and then click on dogbiz University to find out more. * 10:20 – The move toward online education including challenges, successes and different models is discussed. * 14:05 - Veronica lists eight myths that are common among dog training professionals. * 18:58 – A variety of ways that the myth “we aren’t skilled and knowledgeable professionals” can i...

[Episode 100] Dr. Susan Friedman & Ryan Cartlidge - Off the perch

Podcast outline * 2:40 – Susan explains that the “most positive least intrusive” language originated from the ethical and legal standards in the field of special education with children. * 4:15 – Ryan and Susan discuss the widespread influence of podcasts and online learning opportunities as well as the responsibility that comes along with that influence. * 9:19 – Susan talks about how a new wave of improved applications of the basic principles is helping practitioners to be even less ...

[Episode 99] Pamela Clark - 10 things parrot consultants need to know in 2019

Podcast outline 1:40 - Introduction 3:41 – Pamela talks about when she first learned about positive reinforcement training and some stories from that time. 11:00 – What Pamela is currently up to 14:43 – Some pivotal moments that have shaped Pamela's thinking over the last fifteen years. 24:34 – Pamela Clark’s “Ten Things Parrot Consultants Need to Know in 2019”. 56:42- Pamela’s final words for the listeners on changes she would like to see in the pet parrot world. 59:03 - Pamela...

[Episode 98] Tim Sullivan - Brookfield Zoo; Curator of behavioural husbandry

* 3:42 – Tim discusses how he came to co-found the ABMA. * 6:36 – Tim’s learning journey and the benefits he has received by taking advantage of a wide variety of learning opportunities. * 15:01 – A couple of stories from Tim’s early days as a trainer. * 19:40 – A few of the biggest things Tim has learned throughout his time as an animal trainer are discussed. * 23:53  - Tim tells listeners about Brookfield Zoo https://www.czs.org/ * 26:34 – Resilience in zoo animals. * 32:25 – T...

[Episode 97] Dr. Patricia McConnell - The human-animal relationship

Podcast outline 1:40 – Introduction 4:06 – Patricia’s behavior odyssey 24:13 – A discussion on the human animal relationship 52:57 - What the word “communication” means to Patricia 58:25 – Patricia’s hopes for the animal training and behavior world in the next five to ten years 1:03 – Find out more about Patricia and her work at www.patriciamcconnell.com

[Episode 96] Erin Davidson - Ten steps to train a wild bird of prey

Podcast outline: 1:40 – Introduction of Erin 3:33 – Erin’s behavioural journey 16:11 - Changes in the bird training world over the last ten to twenty years 31:00 – Visit www.torontozoo.org to find out more about Erin’s work including the shows at the zoo 34:06 - Ten steps to train a wild bird of prey 1:02 – Erin’s hopes for the animal training world in the next five to ten years

Nancy Tucker - The good enough dog

* 1:40 - Ryan introduces Nancy Tucker * 3:15 – Nancy’s journey into positive reinforcement training * 8:19 – How a background in public relations helps Nancy as a trainer * 15:13 - Find Nancy online at nancytucker.com to find out more about her work * 17:53 –Nancy offers - Five tips for happier clients * 55:50 – Preventing compassion fatigue and burnout by listening to clients to find solutions and by adjusting our expectations * 57:32 – Behavior change takes time and requires pa...

Dr. Eduardo Fernandez – Everyone can shape with data!

* 1:40 - Ryan introduces Eduardo. * 4:00 – About where Eduardo's Behavioural odyssey * 13:48 – A definition of Behavior Analysis * 29:25 – Three basic tools to help you use data collection in your animal training. * 1:06 - What Eduardo would like to see happen in the next 5-10 years in the data collection, behavior analyst, animal training world. * 1:10 – Various events Eduardo has coming & information about the Behavioural Enrichment Animal Research Group and Animal Reinforcement ...

Kathy Sdao - Anything you resist persists [Bright Spot Dog Training!]

Podcast Outline * 1:40 - Ryan introduces Kathy. * 4:00 – Kathy shares where she first learned about positive reinforcement animal training and some of the first animals she trained. * 22:22 – A couple of stories from Kathy about her time training dolphins. * 19:38 – What Kathy is up to now and where you can find her at www.kathysdao.com. * 22:57 – The difference between cues and commands and why this is important. * 42:13 – Some potential phrases from non-violent communication t...

Petra Edwards - Bravely sharing about compassion fatigue

Petra Edwards Bio Petra is a dog trainer in Adelaide, South Australia and has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) with a specialisation in Animal Behaviour. She also holds the professional canine trainer accreditation through the Pet Professional Accreditation Board. Petra is currently studying her PhD investigating how dogs experience their veterinary visits. She hopes her research will not only shed light on the veterinary experience, but offer practical and achievable solutions for improving w...

[Bonus episode] - Eva Bertilsson: CCC - Choice, Control & Communication 2019

Eva Bertilsson - Bio Eva Bertilsson has a master’s degree in behavior analysis and a passion for all things related to behavior, learning and animal welfare. Together with business partner Emelie Johnson Vegh, Eva runs their collaboration Carpe Momentum, teaching seminars on the general principles of behavior and learning, and coaching trainers in the art of structuring great training sessions regardless of the venue or the species. Eva is a board member of the Swedish Association for Beha...

Dr. Robert Hewings - UK college of scent dogs

Dr Robert Hewings bio Dr Robert Hewings is the author of ‘Scent and Scent-ability’ and head of learning and development for the UK College of Scent Detection, and a highly experienced Canine Trainer. He retired from the Metropolitan Police after 30 years’ exemplary service, 25 of which was as a Police Dog Handler.  The final nine years as a full-time trainer with the Metropolitan Police Dog Training Establishment. He has enhanced this experience with a BSc (Canine Training and Behaviour) ...

Michelle Skurski - Disney's Animal Kingdom ®

Michelle Skurski Bio Michelle is going on almost 30 years now training animals in a zoological setting.  She began her career at a facility called marine World Africa USA, training predominantly tigers.  She joined Disney in 1998 and in 2001 became a Zoological Manager of Behavioural Husbandry.  In this role she supports the animal care teams at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with maintaining training and enrichment programs for all species under their care.  Along with her special interest in ti...

Agnieszka Janarek - Changing training culture

Agnieszka Janarek Bio Behavior nerd, advocate of choice in animal training, nosework addict, obedience and concept training geek, trainer with passion and knowledge. Founder of Polish Nosework Association. Owner of three rescued mixed breeds with whom take part in various canine sports. Agnieszka relies on international education (courses and seminars in the USA, UK, Netherlands, Germany) and experience. Her priorities are combining learning science and practice, dog-handler relationship a...

Lindsay Wood brown

Lindsay Wood Brown Bio Lindsay Wood Brown is a board-certified Associate Applied Animal Behaviourist (ACAAB) with a master’s degree in Animal Behavior.  She specializes in finding solutions for behavioural challenges and consults for animal shelters on the design and implementation of behavior programs, effective behavior modification methods, and the development of robust operational strategies to achieve behavioral health for animals within the shelter environment. Lindsay teaches semi...

Jean Donaldson - Academy for dog trainers

Jean is the founder and principal instructor of The Academy for Dog Trainers.  The Academy is celebrating its twentieth anniversary in 2019.  She is a four-time winner of The Dog Writers' Association of America's Maxwell Award.  In 2017, Jean was recruited to create Dog Training 101 for The Great Courses. Born in Montreal, Canada, Jean founded the Montreal Flyball Association, and Renaissance Dog Training, the first positive reinforcement-based school, and counseling service in the provinc...

Laura Ryder - Seize the moment

Laura Ryder  - Bio Laura is the Head Dog Trainer at Morley Vet centre in Perth, Western Australia. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP), a Full Member of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT) and is also on the Fear-Free Speakers Bureau. Laura has three passions when it comes to dog training: As a member of the Fear-Free Speakers Bureau, she passionately brings low-stress handling and Fear-Free training ...

Ken Ramirez - Training animals for conservation; Chimpanzees, Elephants, Polar bears & more!

CLICK HERE for the podcast outline Ken Ramirez Bio Ken Ramirez is the Executive Vice-President and Chief Training Officer of Karen Pryor Clicker Training where he oversees the vision, development, and implementation of training education programs for the organization, including ClickerExpo, Karen Pryor Academy, and The Ranch. This allows Ken to help bring positive reinforcement training to all corners of the animal training world. Previously, Ken served as the Executive Vice-President of ...