Animal Training Academy

In this episode, dive into the unique journey of Francesca Degli Espinosa, from her groundbreaking work in behavior analysis with children with autism to her personal exploration of dog training [stared during the pandemic]. With the adoption of her Labrador puppy, Darwin, Francesca opens up about how her professional life influenced her dog training and vice versa. What You'll Discover in This Episode: Francesca's transition from using Applied Behaviour Analysis with human learners to dog training and the lessons learned along the way. Insights into behavior analysis and its application in understanding and training dogs. The story of Darwin, the pandemic puppy, and the challenges and joys of training him. Why This Episode Is a Must-Listen: Francesca shares her insights into the parallels between behavior analysis in humans and animals, emphasizing the importance of communication, understanding, and empathy in both fields. Whether you're a seasoned animal trainer or just passionate about behavior analysis,

In this compelling continuation of our discussion with Jessica Dolce, a certified compassion fatigue educator, this episode of the Animal Training Academy podcast delves deeper into the challenges of burnout. Ryan opens the conversation by addressing the critical need to redefine success in the face of burnout. Jessica elaborates on burnout as a syndrome stemming from chronic workplace stress, asserting that it is a condition of the work environment rather than a personal failure. The dialogue uncovers the primary causes of burnout, highlighting the systemic nature of this issue and offering insights into creating a healthier work-life balance. Further, the discussion pivots to the growth mindset and the strategic approach of setting "enoughness" conditions for personal and professional satisfaction. Jessica shares her methodology in coaching and public speaking, demonstrating how specific, measurable goals can alleviate decision fatigue and contribute to a more fulfilling career. The episode also delves into

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy podcast, Ryan Cartlidge has a conversation with the insightful Jessica Dolce, a certified compassion fatigue educator. Jessica, with her extensive background in animal welfare and education, delves into the often-overlooked realm of compassion fatigue, an issue prevalent among animal caregivers and welfare professionals. Her journey, beginning with a personal dog walking business and evolving into co-founding a non-profit, illustrates the deep emotional investment inherent in animal welfare. Jessica's firsthand experience with burnout and compassion fatigue while working in shelters led her to become a certified educator in this field, offering a lifeline to those struggling with the emotional toll of intensive caregiving. Throughout the episode, Jessica illuminates the concept of compassion fatigue, describing it as a complex mix of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion. She stresses the significance of replenishing empathy to maintain joy and sa

In this episode we welcome the remarkable Eva Bertilsson, a behaviour analyst and co-founder of Carpe Momentum, renowned for her pioneering work in animal behaviour and cooperative care. Eva Bertilsson brings a wealth of knowledge to today's discussion, aimed at assisting you, the listener, in navigating the often-stressful challenges of cooperative care, both for you and your clients. Our special guest; Eva Bertilsson, From her humble beginnings at a local dog club to becoming an international educator. Her insights into R+ approaches, behavioural principles, and quality of life enhancement are invaluable. Her collaboration in Carpe Momentum and various other partnerships symbolize her commitment to pioneering animal care. The Plan: Listen, Learn, and Impact Listen to the episode to immerse yourself in Eva's profound insights on cooperative care. Grow your skills, knowledge, and confidence through Eva's shared experiences and strategies. Impact the lives of animal and human learners by applying what you lea

In the second part of our awesome coversation with Nicky Plaskitt, we delve into a topic that resonates deeply with many of our listeners: overcoming impostor syndrome and growing your confidence in the realm of animal training. We understand that Impostor syndrome can totally be a daunting barrier, often leaving many feeling inadequate and overwhelmed in their journey to become proficient positive reinforcement animal trainers. This feeling is echoed in the recurring discussions among our Animal Training Academy community members, who frequently share their struggles with feeling like an 'impostor' in their field. Therefore I was so excited to have Nicky Plaskitt, a seasoned expert in animal training, join us for this episode to share her invaluable insights on how to cultivate confidence within yourself as a trainer. With years of experience, Nicky is the ideal guide to help us navigate these challenging waters. In our conversation, we cover several key areas. Our goal for 2024 is to help you grow — not jus

In this episode of our podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Nicky Plaskitt, a seasoned animal care professional and positive reinforcement training subject matter expert. Nicky's journey, which spans over two decades, is a testament to the transformative power of science-based training methods in animal care. Starting in 2000, Nicky embarked on her career in various zoological collections, where she honed her skills in a multitude of roles - from animal keeping to team leadership. In 2021, Nicky took her expertise to a new frontier, founding Shaping Behaviour. This venture reflects her deep commitment to improving animal welfare by empowering caregivers with the knowledge and skills they need to excel. Her role as a Zoological Behaviour Consultant has allowed her to impact animal care both in the UK and internationally. Nicky's dedication to her field is further evidenced by her involvement with the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE), where she has been a member since 2012 and rec

In this special archival episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast, we revisit a gem from our collection - an insightful conversation with the awesome Chirag Patel. Chirag takes us through his early days in the field, sharing the experiences that shaped his unique perspective on animal behaviour and training. A highlight of this episode is Chirag’s explanation of his 'Bucket Game', a fun technique for cooperative care that fosters trust and patience in animals during training sessions. This game demonstrates Chirag’s creative approach & also serves as an invaluable tool for trainers worldwide. Chirag also delves into strategies for empathetically dealing with challenging situations and people, offering practical advice. His insights are a testament to the importance of understanding, patience, and empathy in any form of teaching or interaction. In addition to these key topics, our conversation branches out into a variety of other subjects, making this episode a treasure trove of knowledge and inspira

In this episode of the ATA podcast show, we delve into the dynamic and often challenging world of families juggling the responsibilities of parenting young children and managing their dogs. Our story revolves around families who find themselves overwhelmed by the chaos of a household with toddlers, babies, and pets. The complexity of ensuring safety and harmony for everyone - adults, children, and animals - is a pressing concern that many face daily. Enter Jennifer Shryock, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and the founder of Family Paws LLC. Jennifer's unique journey from a special education teacher to a leading figure in dog behaviour equips her with unparalleled insights into this delicate balance. Through her innovative programs, Dogs & Storks and Dogs & Toddlers, she has established a new paradigm for families navigating these challenges. In our conversation, we uncover crucial strategies for success, including; setting boundaries for safety between dogs and newborns Establishing "success stat

As a listener of the ATA podcast show, we understand how deeply you care about the well-being of the animals you work with. However, at times, your role as a positive reinforcement trainer can feel isolating, stressful, and overwhelming. At ATA, we don't want anyone to feel this way, especially knowing how diligently our listeners strive to make a positive impact on the lives of both animal and human learners they work with. Enter Dr. Kathie Nurena, a human physician and a certified dog trainer. Kathie deeply understands how learning theory and positive reinforcement principles can benefit both animals and humans. Having graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Karen Pryor Academy, Kathie's unique background blends medicine and dog training, providing her with a truly unique perspective on the challenges faced in caring roles. In this episode, together with Kathie, you'll learn about: Trauma-Informed Care: Discover the essence of trauma-informed care and how its principles can be integrated in

With the relentless pace of research enhancing our community's insights, how frequently do you reassess the positive impact of your training methods on your animals? Many grapple with bridging the chasm between theory and practice. If you've been there, stressing over how to implement new knowledge, you're not alone - therefore In this episode, you, the dedicated listener, will unravel the subtle layers of one such area - 'assent' in animal training.  Meet Your Guide: Hannah D. McGee, a souce of wisdom in the realm of canine behaviour. With her extensive credentials as a Canine Behavior Consultant and with her role at the University of North Texas, she dives deep into the science and art of animal training. And as someone passionate about refining trainer skills, she bridges the academic and practical seamlessly. Here's a sneak peek of your journey: Understanding Assent: Grasp the nuances between assent and consent. Hannah lays down why continuous monitoring is essential and how assent paints a clearer pict

It's undeniable that caring for aging animals is a complex task. The unique needs of older animals can sometimes leave you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and even a bit helpless. It's a journey filled with emotions and challenges. Enter our guide for this episode, Debbie Marrin. With over 48 years of professional animal training and management experience, Debbie is the Director of Training and Behavioral Husbandry at the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens. She's been at the forefront of husbandry training since 1985 and has a special passion for the care and training of geriatric animals. Debbie has co-authored multiple papers, a book chapter, and has presented at several conferences dedicated to geriatric animal welfare. In this episode, Debbie shares her top 5 strategies to help you navigate the challenges of aging animal care: Be a Good Observer: Recognize both in and out of training behaviours that might be red flags for health issues. Have a Whole Life Plan: Teach foundation behaviours early on to make futur

At Animal Training Academy, we understand your passion. You're dedicated to mastering your animal training skills using a force-free approach. You're driven by the desire to handle the myriad of challenges that come your way, equipped with a broad knowledge & experience base. But like all of us, there are times you hit rough patches in your training journey. These challenges can sometimes leave you feeling overwhelmed & helpless. It's disheartening, especially when you have so much love and dedication for what you do. We believe everyone should be empowered to positively impact the lives of the animal and human learners they come into contact with. Enter our guides for this episode: Dr. Susan Friedman and Rick Hester. Rick Hester has extensive experience at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. He's worked with a diverse range of species from penguins to African lions. Collaborating with experts like Dr. Susan Friedman, Rick has deepened his understanding of behaviour analysis. His work at the zoo and his role a

We know you're a passionate trainer, driven by a desire to master animal training skills through a force-free approach. You dream of a world where animals operate from a place of understanding and trust, not fear. Yet, advocating for positive reinforcement, especially when up against those using aversives, isn't straightforward. How can you effectively champion this cause and foster a paradigm shift in the animal training world? Enter Michele Pouliot, your guide in this most recent ATA podcast episode. With an impressive 51 years in the field, Michele understands the challenges you face and offers a roadmap to navigate them.  Here are three of the [many] big takeaways from the episode on how to advocate for positive reinforcement A little bit of frustraion on your end is okay: Learn to channel your emotions effectively,  The importance of honesty [paired with kindness]: The critical importance of honesty and transparency in building trust with clients. Building Trust: Learn about the importance of trust in

Welcome, appreciated listener of the ATA podcast show. We know you're eager to master your personal animal training skills using a force-free approach. Moreover, you aim to make a significant positive difference with the work you do! Thus, the challenge isn't solely about honing your training skills, but also about conveying the value of positive reinforcement to others. How do you advocate for positive reinforcement, especially when faced with those who still rely on aversive tools? Such challenges can indeed be frustrating, stressful, and overwhelming. Enter Michele Pouliot, your guide in this episode. With an impressive 51 years of experience, Michele isn't just an expert; she's someone who's trodden the path you're on. We delve deep in our discussion, but here are three major takeaways to bolster your ability to influence others: Takeaway 1: Be kind - a philosophy that forges trust between you and those you collaborate with. Takeaway 2: Continually hone your skills in effective communication. Michele will

In this enlightening episode, we've tailored content especially for you, the passionate animal trainer eager to refine your skills. We recognize that, despite your dedication, the path to mastering animal training can sometimes feel overwhelming, filled with complexities and challenges. That's where our expert guest, Jim Mackie, steps in. With over two decades at The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and as their first-ever Animal Behaviour Management Officer, Jim brings a wealth of knowledge on evidence-based training techniques. He offers you a clear three-step plan in this episode: Seize learning opportunities by connecting with top-tier education bodies like BIAZA, EAZA, and the Animal Behaviour Training Council (ABTC). Emphasize quality over quantity in your training sessions, ensuring each moment is impactful and purposeful. Seek out a supportive community where you can exchange experiences, gain guidance, and grow alongside fellow trainers. With Jim's insights and this actionable approach, you're eq

Welcome to an inspiring episode of our podcast designed just for you - a passionate listener striving to master your personal animal training skills. We know that you are eager to deepen your understanding and connection with animals. Yet, you may often face challenges that can, at times, lead to feelings of overwhelm and helplessness. But in this episode, get ready to meet your guide, Tabitha Kucera. As a renowned animal behaviour consultant and one of only 30 Veterinary Technician Specialists in Behavior globally, Tabitha will provide you with her profound understanding of animals. Her commitment to improving human-animal relationships will help you navigate through the complex landscape of animal training. Tabitha shares a clear, actionable three-step plan to level up your animal training skills: Build good relationships with veterinarians Engage clients effectively in cooperative care Recognize the importance of mental health in your role as an animal trainer, and prioritize fostering good mental health

Animal care professionals stand as advocates in a world where animals and their welfare often remain misunderstood. But sometimes, even the most passionate of us can feel lost and overwhelmed, unable to understand what 'welfare' truly means to these animals. Enter Dr Jill Fernandes, our guest for today's episode. An animal welfare scientist and consultant, Dr Fernandes grew up surrounded by a diverse range of animals, which sparked her curiosity and dedication towards their welfare. She has carved a niche for herself, advocating for animals and helping us understand their needs better. She's here to solve your problem, to demystify the often challenging concept of animal welfare, and guide you through a journey of understanding and communicating with the animals. She shares with us her three unique approaches to 'ask the animals' - beginning with understanding the animal's natural history, forgetting our preconceived notions, and honing our observational skills. By applying Dr Fernandes' techniques, you'll no

About the episode; Welcome, animal training enthusiasts! You're tuning in to a unique and exciting episode of our podcast. This time, we're giving you a glimpse behind the mic, revealing the ins and outs of being a podcast host in the fascinating field of animal training. Today's episode features an intriguing discussion from my guest appearance on the TEC Talk podcast from Natural Encounters. This delightful experience was hosted by the passionate and knowledgeable Chris Jenkins and Ari Bailey. But that's not all. I had the honour of being on the panel with Dr. Grey Stafford, the insightful voice behind the Zoo Logic podcast, and Shane Gorbett, the engaging host of Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA. Together, we navigated the stimulating world of podcast hosting, exploring its challenges, triumphs, and the finer details that make this journey unique. This is a bit different from our usual fare, and you might wonder why. It's a rare opportunity to learn about the personalities that echo

Here are five crucial takeaways from the research that can be practically implemented by those engaged in the field of scent work: It may be beneficial to let go of pre-existing notions about canine olfaction and relearn everything from the ground up. Your human sense of smell, to a certain extent, might not be drastically different from a dog's. Make sure to enjoy the process. It is vital that your training environment aligns with your real operational setting. Ensure that the odor used for training mathced the one used in actual operational settings. Dr. Hall is an Associate Professor of Companion Animal Science at Texas Tech University and the Director of the Canine Olfaction Research and Education Laboratory in the Department of Animal Science. He earned his PhD at the University of Florida, specializing in Behavior Analysis and canine olfaction. Following his doctoral studies, he continued as a postdoc at Arizona State University, investigating the optimization of training to enhance canines' detection

Nicole has been a veterinarian since the late 1980’s and has worked exclusively on companion animal behaviour since 2016. She is a member of the ANZCVS in Veterinary Behaviour and operates a private practice, Animal Sense, for companion animal behaviour issues in Perth, Western Australia. She has been a member of staff at Murdoch University Veterinary school since 2017, teaching the clinical behaviour medicine to undergraduate veterinary students. She loves to pass on knowledge to others through presenting and using case studies to illustrate the enormous array of behaviour problems and their various treatment protocols. She is passionate about educating others on the need for kind, scientifically sound ways to change behaviour. At the heart of her work is a goal for increased empathy between humans and the animals with whom we share the world. For links check here >>> https://atamember.com/2023/06/05/nicole-lobry-de-bruyn-2/