Animal Training Academy

* 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 talks about how PORTL can be used to move toward a more errorless learning model and shares a story to demonstrate. * 58:25 – Ways PORTL can continue to evolve over the next several years to help more people and animals are discussed.

* 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. * 52:00 – Ryan and Bex talk about the importance of looking for the positive when giving feedback to others. * 58:05 – Ryan recaps the five things that Bex says have taught her about leading a better life & training other species.  * 1:00 – Bex talks about what she would like to see in the next 5-10 years in the animal training world.

* 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 impact our businesses are discussed. * 21:36 – Veronica busts the myth that clients must train their own dogs. * 24:30 – Veronica talks about the discomfort trainers often experience when trying to sell their services. * 35:43 – Marketing does not have to equal self-promotion, and it can be more about education. * 41:54 – “The more you charge, the more clients you’ll have.” * 48:47 – Veronica talks about how learning marketing skills can remove a lot of the fear of running a business. * 52:09 – Ideas about how to determine success

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 intrusive with their learners. * 13:54 – Susan describes Mary Hunter’s demonstration of the technique of using a two-link chain to build duration in a behavior. A video of this can be viewed at https://behaviorexplorer.com/videos/duration-behavior-chain/ * 16:03 - Ryan and Susan discuss Susan’s process of using the technique mentioned above to teach her pup Ray to bark once and then wait at the door to be let out. * 18:53 - Susan explains the difference between identifying ABCs and developing a time log of events. * 25:36 – Susa

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 can be found online at

* 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 – Tim shares some about some ways to work with an older animal who is showing signs of decreased resilience. * 38:43 - Tim talks about the gorilla program and some challenges they are working through. * 49:58 – The  power of self-fulfilling prophecies.  1:00  What Tim would like to see happen in the next 5-10 years in the world of positive reinforcement animal training.

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

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

* 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 patience * 1:05 – What Nancy would like to see happen in the next 5-10 years in the animal training world * 1:08 - Ryan thanks Nancy for coming on the show * 1:09 - Ryan directs people to www.animaltrainingacademy.com to find out more about ATA - including membership

* 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 Forum groups  on Facebook.

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 to use in consultations. * 47:31 – How Kathy deals with compassion fatigue or "attachment to outcome fatigue." * 52:50 – Five tips listeners can use to move toward non-violent communication. * 1:15 - Kathy discusses what she’d like to see happen in the next 5-10 years in the world of positive reinforcement animal training. About Kathy Sdao Kathy is an applied animal behaviourist. She’s been a full-time animal trainer for thirty years, first with marine mammals and now with dogs and their people. At the University of Hawaii, she receiv

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 welfare in the veterinary context. Petra has been involved in the dog training industry from a young age and has worked extensively over the years as an assistant and instructor of pet dog training classes and puppy pre-schools. She is fascinated by all things behaviour and especially loves helping owners and dogs live happily and companionably through positive reinforcement.

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 Behavior Analysis, a faculty member of Clicker Expo, and an enthusiastic disseminator of ethical practices based in behavioral science. In addition to her own teaching, she has also been instrumental in introducing TAGteach ™ and Fear Free™, as well as numerous renown speakers (for example Susan Friedman, Susan Schneider and Clive Wynne), to the Scandinavian audience.

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) MA (Professional Practice Police Dog Training) and a Doctor of Professional Practice (D/Prof) Canine Scent Detection. Rob has instructed all police canine-search disciplines including explosive search and narcotics, supporting this with an amazing academic journey that has without doubt enhanced his relationship with the dogs he trains. Combining his scent detection experience Rob is currently training scent detection within the ‘Assistance Dog Community’ where, working in partnership with the PTSD Charity Bravehound is rese

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 tigers Michelle has a passion for training reptiles large and small.  Currently she sits on the AZA (American Zoological Association) Professional Development Committee and is co-course administrator and instructor for the AZA Professional Course: Environmental Enrichment in Zoo and Aquarium Settings.

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 and balance between maintaining precision and fun.

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 seminars and workshops around the country and serves as a faculty member for Karen Pryor Academy and Clicker Expo.  She offers coaching and 1:1 mentorship opportunity for behavior consultants. Lindsay has a long history of leadership and building high functioning teams within animal shelters.  She served as the Director of Operations for Lynchburg Humane Society (LHS), an open-admission animal shelter located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  Her role at Lynchburg Humane included the oversight of all shelt

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 province.  Her own dogs and dogs she has trained have earned numerous titles and wins in a variety of dog sports, including OTCh, TDX, HIT and FDCh.  While a student, she worked as an adoption counselor at the Montreal SPCA and later served on its Board of Directors.  Before founding The Academy, Jean did exclusively referral aggression cases for six years.  She lives in Oakland, California, with her dog, Brian, adopted in 2015.

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 into veterinary clinics – focusing on both the physical and emotional health of patients. Laura is one half of the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers Australia education team. IMDT Australia launched in January 2019, and Laura hopes to see it follow in the IMDT UK’s footsteps – where it is known as the leading education provider for dog trainers and behaviourists. Laura also spends a lot of her time creating fun and engaging training courses for pet dogs. 2014 saw Laura create The Canine Adventure course – a non-competitive dog sp

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 animal care and animal training at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, where he developed and supervised animal care and animal health programs, staff training and development as well as public presentation programs for a collection of more than 32,000 animals. He worked at Shedd Aquarium for over 25 years. A 40+ year veteran of animal care and training, Ramirez is a biologist and animal behaviorist who served nine years at Marineworld of Texas.  He also was a trainer and coordinator at Ocean Safari in South Padre Island, Texas, as we