Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich
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Welcome to Part 3 of our captivating podcast series, “Freeing the Crabs from the Bucket. Reaching Our Potential by Recognizing Others,” from the Global Online Animal Training Series. In Part 1, we uncovered the concept of plagiarism and its benefits to the animal training industry. Part 2 revealed the industry's fallout from plagiarism. And now, in Part 3, we're debunking common myths and misconceptions about attribution, exploring different types of attribution, and providing practical tips on correctly attributing intellectual property. We wrap things up with some inspiration on what is possible based on examples from other industries. Remember, you can access the course and download the visually appealing article for free at ATGOATS.com. Here is the abstract for the article for more information about this topic. FREEING CRABS FROM THE BUCKET: REACHING OUR POTENTIAL BY RECOGNIZING OTHERS. The metaphor of "Crabs in a Bucket" vividly depicts the practice of hindering others' progress or success to propel oneself forward, which ultimately holds back the entire group. This metaphor is particularly relevant to the training and behavior industry. This in-depth commentary discusses the importance of crediting intellectual property, defining plagiarism, and highlighting its impact on individuals and the industry. It also addresses common challenges and misconceptions about proper citation and credit options and provides valuable resources to help individuals learn how to attribute intellectual property appropriately. By freeing the crabs from the bucket and allowing them to fulfill their potential, practitioners can advance the animal training industry and freely contribute to a diverse world of information sharing. Learn how promoting ethical practices and supporting the work of our predecessors can create a brighter future for animal trainers and the industry. RECOMMENDED CITATION: Heidenreich, B. (Producer/Writer). (2024, March). Reaching Our Potential with Proper Attribution Pt 3. [Audio Podcast]. Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich.
Welcome to Part 2 of our podcast series, “Freeing the Crabs from the Bucket. Reaching Our Potential by Recognizing Others,” from the Global Online Animal Training Series. In Part 1, we explored the concept of plagiarism and its benefits to the animal training industry. Part 2 delves into the repercussions of plagiarism on the industry and the challenges of providing proper attribution. This episode is a bit more personal and sensitive, but I believe it will resonate with many of our listeners. Remember, you can access the course and download the visually appealing article for free at ATGOATS.com. And if you're eager for the next episode, I recommend visiting ATFGOATS.com for instant access. Here is the abstract for the article for more information about this topic. FREEING CRABS FROM THE BUCKET: REACHING OUR POTENTIAL BY RECOGNIZING OTHERS. The metaphor of "Crabs in a Bucket" vividly depicts the practice of hindering others' progress or success to propel oneself forward, which ultimately holds back the entire group. This metaphor is particularly relevant to the training and behavior industry. This in-depth commentary discusses the importance of crediting intellectual property, defining plagiarism, and highlighting its impact on individuals and the industry. It also addresses common challenges and misconceptions about proper citation and credit options and provides valuable resources to help individuals learn how to attribute intellectual property appropriately. By freeing the crabs from the bucket and allowing them to fulfill their potential, practitioners can advance the animal training industry and freely contribute to a diverse world of information sharing. Learn how promoting ethical practices and supporting the work of our predecessors can create a brighter future for animal trainers and the industry. RECOMMENDED CITATION: Heidenreich, B. (Producer/Writer). (2024, March). Reaching Our Potential with Proper Attribution Pt 2. [Audio Podcast]. Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich.
Are you a fan of multitasking? I certainly am, and that's why I love audiobooks. They allow me to absorb knowledge while walking my dog or preparing animal diets. In this podcast series, I'm your guide through “Freeing the Crabs from the Bucket. Reaching Our Potential by Recognizing Others.” This 24-page article, which I've been working on for nearly two years, has been a source of enlightenment for me. I believe we can foster industry collaboration and advance our practices by sharing this article. You can access the course and download the beautifully designed article for free at ATGOATS.com. And if you're eager for the next episode, I recommend visiting ATFGOATS.com for instant access. Here is the abstract for the article for more information about this topic. Freeing Crabs from the Bucket: Reaching Our Potential by Recognizing Others. The metaphor of "Crabs in a Bucket" vividly depicts the practice of hindering others' progress or success to propel oneself forward, which ultimately holds back the entire group. This metaphor is particularly relevant to the training and behavior industry. This in-depth commentary discusses the importance of crediting intellectual property, defining plagiarism, and highlighting its impact on individuals and the industry. It also addresses common challenges and misconceptions about proper citation and credit options and provides valuable resources to help individuals learn how to attribute intellectual property appropriately. By freeing the crabs from the bucket and allowing them to fulfill their potential, practitioners can advance the animal training industry and freely contribute to a diverse world of information sharing. Learn how promoting ethical practices and supporting the work of our predecessors can create a brighter future for animal trainers and the industry. Recommended Citation: Heidenreich, B. (Producer/Writer). (2024, March). Reaching Our Potential with Proper Attribution Pt 1. [Audio Podcast]. Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich.
Assent is a new buzzword in animal training. But what does it really mean? My special guests, Anna Linnehan and Awab Abdel-Jalil, help us understand. These experts in nonlinear contingency analysis and the constructional approach have collaborated, along with others, to publish two articles on assent. They share an overview of their articles. They explain how to evaluate assent to participate and how you can monitor assent throughout a training session. They dissect the difference between genuine assent and apparent assent. Animal trainers have long presumed positive reinforcement is associated with assent, but as we dive into this topic, we discover that procedures that appear “voluntary” can indeed be coercive. As we aim to be compassionate animal trainers, we can use assent to help us improve our procedures. But as my guests remind us, assent is only part of the equation. Enjoy this podcast interview to gain valuable insights into what genuine assent looks like and how it can provide information to improve your training program.
In this episode we explore how conferences help you unlock the power of connection. We discover how to maximize the conference experience by delving into networking strategies, hidden learning opportunities, staying healthy to go the distance, and the importance of professionalism. From navigating over stimulation to starting meaningful conversations, we explore the pivotal strategies and insider tips that transform the conference experience into an opportunity for personal and professional growth. Whether you're a seasoned attendee or a first-time conference-goer, this podcast aims to equip you with the tools to amplify your networking prowess and make conferences memorable milestones in your professional journey.
Amy Phelps is truly a pioneer in giraffe training. In this episode she shares the inspiring history of training giraffes. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who was there from the beginning, training behaviors for the very first time that have now become standard in the industry, such as training voluntary hoof care. You will get to hear the origin story of the firehose barrier so commonly used today, and its pros and cons. What is also significant is that Amy’s journey has progressed and continues to evolve. She shares exciting advances that have allowed her teams to expand far beyond a handful of behaviors. Amy also shares tactics to move past “doing things to giraffes while they stand there and tolerate it” and why this is so important to supporting assent-based training programs. This interview is packed with useful information for trainers of all species, not just giraffes. I am confident you will enjoy learning from Amy as much as I did. RECOMMENDED CITATION: Heidenreich, B. (Producer/Writer). (2023, September 3). The History of Giraffe Training with Amy Phelps. [Audio Podcast] Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich. https://animaltrainingfundamentals.com/podcasts/the-history-of-giraffe-training-with-amy-phelps/
The information I share is frequently inspired by the work done in real life creating behavior change. This episode is no exception. During a recent zoo consultation data collection was essential to address a behavior challenge. Our observations revealed some very interesting results which led to refinements in our intervention. So much so, that we reached our goal in two minutes in our second training session! In this episode I cover reasons to consider collecting data for animal training. I also cover what information is helpful to collect, as well as how much information is beneficial. I provide options for how to take data, where to enter it for future reference, and several resources to help use the data to develop interventions and/or reach behavior goals. Listeners can find links to additional resources on the episode webpage. RECOMMENDED CITATION: Heidenreich, B. (Producer/Writer). (2023, August 20). The Details are in the Data [Audio Podcast] Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich. https://animaltrainingfundamentals.com/podcasts/the-details-are-in-the-data/
This episode was inspired by my own personal journey addressing some discomfort over a much-anticipated upcoming event. While helping myself become more relaxed, I was reminded of some parallels in my work with animals. The word uncomfortable can mean different things to different trainers. Therefore, I cover some common scenarios that trainers may describe as uncomfortable for animals. This might be cooperating in certain medical behaviors, or holding positions for duration, or doing behaviors in new environments. This also requires describing observable measurable behaviors that can give trainers information that an animal might be uncomfortable. Most importantly, I cover some strategies to consider to prevent or address discomfort. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode and the real-life examples that illustrate the behavior science and its application. RECOMMENDED CITATION: Heidenreich, B. (Producer/Writer). (2023, August 12). This is Uncomfortable...... [Audio Podcast] Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich. https://animaltrainingfundamentals.com/podcasts/this-is-uncomfortable/
The recently published article Increasing Socially Significant Behaviors for Children with Autism Using Synchronous Reinforcement by Stordahl et al. (2023) has inspired this episode. Synchronous reinforcement, episodic reinforcement, conjugate reinforcement, and demand functions can all play a role in animal training. I explore these different reinforcement options and how they are applied, how they are different, and when one strategy or combination might be better than another. Listen to this episode to learn how these reinforcement tactics can help you achieve your training goals. RECOMMENDED CITATION: Heidenreich, B. (Producer/Writer). (2023, July 30). Reinforcement Tactics. Different Types, What They Look Like, and How You Can Use Them. [Audio Podcast] Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich.https://animaltrainingfundamentals.com/podcasts/reinforcement-tactics-different-types-what-they-look-like-and-how-you-can-use-them/
When innovative ideas emerge in the animal training world it can spark conversation. For some it evokes behavior change, for others not just yet, and maybe not ever. When there is resistance to emerging ideas, it can be frustrating for those who have been reinforced by changing their behavior. But as we will examine, resistance can be a very rational response. In this episode we look at some of those barriers to new information in animal training. I also share various ways to address those challenges so that trainers can more easily access reinforcers that can be gained from embracing emerging views in animal training. And finally, I delve into many of my own personal “growing pains” and strategies I have used to facilitate learning new concepts and their application.
Are you convinced your animals love it when you talk to them? Or perhaps it is the opposite, maybe it seems like your words mean absolutely nothing. In some cases, it may feel like your voice is helpful and in other cases it may seem like talking to them only made things worse. How can this be? In this podcast I cover a variety of scenarios and explain how talking can impact training in desired and undesired ways. I explore the behavior science behind what we observe so you can decide what will best help you get desired results with the animals in your life. RECOMMENDED CITATION: Heidenreich, B. (Producer/Writer). (2023, July 8.) Pros and Cons About Talking While Training [Audio Podcast] Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich. https://animaltrainingfundamentals.com/podcasts/pros-and-cons-about-talking-while-training/
Do you have doubts about negative reinforcement? I understand! I sure did. That was until someone took the time to clear up some misunderstandings I had because of what I had been previously taught. That moment changed my life and how I am now able to help improve animal welfare. Many animals are unable to contact positive reinforcement due to competing negative reinforcement contingencies. Often these must be addressed first for positive reinforcement to be effective. Teaching trainers to recognize and address these negative reinforcement contingencies is essential to optimizing animal welfare. But the mythology surrounding negative reinforcement can hold trainers back which can result in delays to proper interventions for animals. In this podcast I go over 7 myths about negative reinforcement to help trainers learn more about this valuable procedure for optimizing animal welfare.
Do you have doubts about negative reinforcement? I understand! I sure did. That was until someone took the time to clear up some misunderstandings I had because of what I had been previously taught. That moment changed my life and how I am now able to help improve animal welfare. Many animals are unable to contact positive reinforcement due to competing negative reinforcement contingencies. Often these must be addressed first for positive reinforcement to be effective. Teaching trainers to recognize and address these negative reinforcement contingencies is essential to optimizing animal welfare. But the mythology surrounding negative reinforcement can hold trainers back which can result in delays to proper interventions for animals. In this podcast I go over 7 myths about negative reinforcement to help trainers learn more about this valuable procedure for optimizing animal welfare.
Have you been hearing the word “constructional” a lot lately? There is a reason for that! The animal training community is evolving, and it is extremely exciting. It has a lot to do with a different way of looking at behavior change that is known as "the constructional approach". My special guests this episode are Sean Will and Maasa Nishimuta from the Constructional Approach to Animal Welfare and Training, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free services to individuals and organizations that cannot afford them, with the goal of enhancing their lives through applications of the Constructional Approach. Sean and Maasa share the five elements that are essential to a constructional program. They also provide insights into the history of the constructional approach and how it differs from some of the programs currently popular in animal training. We also discuss what a constructional program can do to improve animal welfare and why this is such great news for the future of animal training. We also go over numerous resources to continue your exploration of this inspiring topic. The future of animal training looks very bright.....and constructional!
My special guests this episode are Dr Jesus Rosales-Ruiz and Mary Hunter. As hosts of the Art and Science of Animal Training Conference, they bring together behavior scientists and animal trainers to inspire both communities and elevate the conversation. The theme of the most recent conference was negative reinforcement. In this podcast we revisit this topic and so much more. Our discussion of negative reinforcement meant more exploration of Constructional Aggression Treatment (C.A.T). Jesus and Mary shared some great stories from the lab (even one about training a cockroach!) that are important for trainers to hear. Sometimes what occurs in a laboratory experiment looks very different from what trainers do. A great example was our discussion of counter conditioning. We also discuss the importance of function-based interventions and how positive reinforcement can have better effect once you take care of the negative reinforcement contingency already in place. This also tied into the issue surrounding coercive applications of positive reinforcement and how to remove those barriers. Jesus and Mary share some relatable real-life examples to help illustrate these issues trainers face, for example when animals show fear responses to new objects or household items. This episode is full of science and practical application, and I love that it left me thinking “I have so much more to learn!” Visit the episode webpage for a video clip and link to more resources.
Constructional Aggression Treatment, also known as CAT, first debuted in the animal training community in 2007 when Kellie Snider made the procedure the focus of her thesis. Since then it has been fine tuned, practiced, applied and successfully replicated countless of times with a wide variety of species. Kellie and I discuss what inspired her studies and why it is such an important procedure for improving animal welfare. We also get into the mechanics of practical application and some points to consider for those new to the procedure. If you have been on the fence about CAT, we also clear up the confusion by diving into the behavior science behind function based interventions. CAT fans and fans to be, will love this episode. Visit the episode webpage for links to Kellie's book and webinar on CAT.
Do you have a feeling something you are doing or would like to do could improve animal welfare? Have you thought about collecting data, evaluating your results, and publishing it so others can benefit? My guests in this episode are Dr Eddie Fernandez and Rickey Kinley. They share how zoos can participate in scientific studies to improve animal welfare. They give great tips on how to establish crucial relationships, what is required to conduct a study, how studies can be accomplished with one or many animals, and how to get the ball rolling! Behavior, enrichment, and animal welfare are hot topics in our field. Facilities caring for animals large and small have the potential to keep providing data and information that supports progress. Learn how you can get involved. Visit the episode webpage for links to publications and lots of additional resources.
Working with marine mammals is often identified as the dream job for many pursuing a career in animal training. Although I personally went a different direction to learn about training, I have had a number of good friends gain their training chops working with marine mammals. My guests in this episode are colleagues from my early days in the zoological field who became seasoned pros working with a variety of marine mammal species as well as many other animals. Andy Ferris and Maggie Gonio give us insights into the differences of working with species typically seen in managed care, share some fascinating behaviors trained with marine mammals, surprise us with marine mammal ingenuity and most importantly provide advice for those interested in becoming a marine mammal trainer. We cover much more, including tips for getting fish smell off of your hands! Visit the episode web page for additional resources on marine mammal training,
Whether you work with great apes or not you have to listen to this episode! Here is why. This episode is all about making a difference. It is also a great reminder that everyone has the power to make changes that can have a tremendous impact on animal welfare. As you listen to this episode, I encourage you to think about the similarities to training a new behavior. It all starts with what you can do now and how you can build upon that beginning. My special guests Emily Ellison of Cameron Park Zoo and Laura Klutts of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo took the inspiration they experienced from a learning opportunity and helped grow this into an in-depth Great Ape Cardiac Workshop. If you are working with primates, you will be further inspired by the information that is being collected and shared at this event. We covered a lot of details in the podcast, including the dates for the next event. Visit the episode web page for links to the workshop and super inspiring video clips courtesy of Waco City Cable Channel. https://wccc.tv/
I am often reminded of all the incredible things animals and training brings to the world. My guest this episode is the perfect example. You are going to love this fascinating interview with zoologist and engineer Dr David Lentink. David has merged his passion for nature and technology to study flight. He runs the Bio-Inspired Research and Design (BIRD) Lab at Stanford University. We discussed training various species of birds, training in wind tunnels, examining exquisite details of how birds fly, training a parrot to wear goggles, using technology to facilitate stress free restraint for health care, flying robots and so much more. I could have talked with David for hours! There was so much interesting material to cover. Visit the episode web page for links to articles and video clips mentioned in the interview.
Many animal caregivers seek veterinary advice when their animal is showing undesired behavior. In some cases underlying health issues can be contributing to behavior problems that need to be addressed. However there may be other factors to consider that require the services of a veterinarian who specializes in behavior. Veterinary behaviorists are board certified and specially trained to advance behavioral health in many different ways. My special guest this episode is Dr. Valli Parthasarathy, PhD, DVM, DACVB. She is one of a handful of veterinary behaviorists improving animal welfare by focusing on their behavioral health. Dr Valli shares the many different disciplines involved in veterinary behavior, what types of problems she sees in practice, and some inspiring success stories. Learn what it takes to become a veterinary behaviorist and if this might be the career path for you.
Are you absolutely convinced your dog loves it when you talk to him? My special guest is behavior analyst Dr Erica Feuerbacher. She explores questions like this and more. Her research has looked at whether dogs prefer petting over praise and what consequences function best as reinforcers. In this fun interview we discuss the many things that have been learned from studying dog behavior. We also discuss the questions that remain to be answered. We touch on belief systems that can cloud our thinking and help remind us why behavior science is such an invaluable tool for getting to the heart of why behavior is occurring. This episode is super educational, and Dr Erica makes the science accessible. You will definitely want to check out the episode webpage to read the articles mentioned and watch the Columban Simulation video clips. You will never look at your dog, a pigeon or maybe yourself in the same way again.
No matter what your role is when it comes to animal care, at some point you will likely encounter a situation that will cause you to examine the space in which the animal lives. It may be a behavior problem. It may be the opportunity to redesign an enclosure. It may be changes to your animal collection. It may be that your space is not addressing your needs or goals. Or you may have the opportunity to design something completely new! What would you want to know to be successful? I had the privilege, and I do mean, privilege of speaking with Douglas Richardson, an expert in many aspects of zoo management. In this episode I picked his brain specifically about the impact of behavior on exhibit design. Needless to say, it’s pretty significant. Douglas has some powerful examples that showcase how important one’s knowledge of ethology is to the decision-making process when it comes to creating habitats that provide a variety of desired outcomes. These include providing optimal animal welfare, encouraging species typical behavior, facilitating day to day care, and supporting conservation efforts. With amazing stories about polar bears, Amur and Arabian leopards, hoof stock and more, there is so much to learn for every animal care professional from this episode.
Elephants have captured the hearts of mankind for centuries, including the heart of Gerry Creighton, Operations Manager for Dublin Zoo and Elephant Care Consultant. As a consultant, Gerry has traveled the world bringing innovation, backed by science to create elephant programs that thrive. Gerry looks to the ethology of the species for inspiration and creating opportunities for elephants to learn from elephants. However implementing this requires a different approach to day-to-day care, herd structure and human interactions than may have been traditionally provided in past. The results of this work, numerous studies and the data are revealing tremendous positive impacts on animal welfare. Gerry’s passion for elephants and animal welfare is infectious, and the Dublin Zoo’s elephant program is an excellent example of what is possible. What an inspiring guest!
Discover how veterinary professionals, trainers and animal caregivers are working together to make fear free medicine a reality for avian patients. Every detail from what you can do at home, to how the patient is welcomed into the clinic, as well as what happens in the exam room is taken into consideration. While training in advance is certainly recommended, you will discover training is just one part of the strategy. Exotic animal veterinarian Dr Alicia McLaughlin and parrot behavior consultant Pamela Clark are my special guests. They along with Dr Anneliese Strunk and yours truly, are the co-authors of the recently released Fear Free Avian Medicine Certification Course. If you care for birds, this episode is definitely for you! We cover a lot of material you won't want to miss. Visit the episode webpage for video examples of what is possible.
In this episode I get into one of my favorite subjects. It's not so much about knowing scientific terminology, but it does require some specialized skill sets. I do think every trainer needs to be a little bit of an engineer, a physicist, an artist and most definitely an ethologist. All these skills combine to help trainers see ways in which we can manipulate the environment to make it more likely animals will easily give us behavior that we can reinforce. The environment can include objects with which we need the animal to engage. The environment can also include the space we are going to utilize to train the behavior. This may need to be modified to increase comfort and/or to facilitate creating desired actions. All of this requires a lot of creative thinking and attention to detail. Check out the podcast to learn more and get lots of real-life examples. Visit the episode webpage for photos, links, and video examples. - Barbara Heidenreich
Are you one of those trainers who gobbles up as much information about training as you possibly can? Do you ever question that information, or do you immediately accept it as valid? It can be challenging to know how to evaluate resources, especially if you are new to the field or when the information is presented in a manner that can make it appear to be supported by science. Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists Dr Suzanne Hetts and Dr Dan Estep give listeners insights into what it takes to be a critical thinker when evaluating resources related to animal training. Learn how to differentiate between types of publications. We also dissect how to think critically when evaluating references. You might also be surprised to discover some of the big hurdles that can prevent people from embracing the data. This episode is a great listen for the progressive animal trainer.
Have you ever asked the question………”How can I become a professional animal trainer?” My special guest Gary Wilson is here to help. Not only is Gary a professor at the Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) Program at Moorpark College, he is a graduate of the program and has been deeply involved in its growth and development over the years. For those of you already in the field, you are going to enjoy getting to know the history on how the training industry has evolved, especially in southern California. I definitely discovered some stories relevant to my own journey! Hear what it's like to be an EATM student, what animals they get to train, learn about some famous alumni, get the details on a certain viral video featuring a jugular blood draw from a hyena and find out how you might have a chance to join this outstanding program. I also answer a follow up question on showing food when training a recall behavior and whether to use intermittent schedules of reinforcement. Visit the episode webpage for the hyena video and link to a live-stream mentioned in the podcast.
What is your dream behavior to train? I have a feeling for many bird keepers it just might be this one! Imagine having a mixed species aviary in which each flock of birds recalls to a different sound and shifts into their own holding area. This dream is reality for Henrik Futtrup a keeper and trainer at the Copenhagen Zoo. In this podcast he not only shares the steps he took to train the behavior but also important details about antecedent arrangement, species specific considerations and how this behavior really paid off in an emergency. And in truth, this concept can be applied to any mixed species habitats…not just birds. I also answer one of your questions about how to train quick response to the cue when training for recall…. especially when there are lots of distractions.
This is an episode you will want to bookmark, reference and listen to several times over. Dr Joe Layng gives insights that might surprise you into how behavior analytic principles influence behavior. Learn how degrees of freedom and critical consequences can cause positive reinforcement to be coercive. Explore the super fascinating non-linear approach to better understand behavior processes. Also discover what is really happening when we use systematic desensitization and counter conditioning in comparison to the more empowering constructional approach. Dr Layng shares how behaviors often described as “innate” were learned and can be influenced. And you will learn why phrases like “least intrusive, most positive” and “hierarchies of behavior change procedures” don’t really apply to the science. This is a fantastic episode for those looking for a deeper dive into the science behind the practical application. I also answer your questions about harness training a coati.
