Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA – Details, episodes & analysis

This episode continues on "The Behaviors of..." series which dives into the human side of the animal care field. In this episode Scott Trauger, Natural Encounters, Inc., dives deeper into a discussion centered around his presentation at the 2024 ABMA Annual Conference titled "Expanding Our Feedback Loop: Evolving the Way that We Give Feedback to Our Peers". Scott discusses the different types of feedback and considerations to think about in order to effectively give specific and honest, but also kind, feedback. Scott also discusses the thought of also giving choice and... control to people while providing feedback. Stay tuned in for a "Training Tale" about how Scott used his tree climbing skills and relationship to rescue a pied crow. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to reach Scott contact him on the ABMA Community or email michael.scott.trauger@gmail.com If you are an ABMA member you can watch Scott's presentation on animalprofessional.com Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

• 2:10 Introduction to Scott Trauger 

• 6:05 “Expanding Our Feedback Loop: Evolving the Ways we Give Feedback to Our Peers” 

• 7:55 Using the word “Feedback” vs “Criticism” 

• 12:05 Different Types of Feedback 

• 18:40 Importance of Individual Relationships 

• 23:30 Being honest and specific but also kind 

• 27:15 Reinforcing the behaviors/responses you want to see happen again 

• 29:30 Recapping or following up after feedback 

• 31:15 Starting with heart and the human, not evidence 

• 35:10 Giving choice and… control to people 

• 43:00 “Training Tales” 

This episode we are joined by Tegan Noel, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, to discuss some practical applications and examples of providing choice and... control. This episode is a continuation of Episode 50 where Ken Ramirez broke down the science of choice and... control. The episode starts with Tegan commenting how the focus of those two topics have changed and shaped behavior in recent years. Additionally, she educates about what it means to remove "forced" choice and providing control through the use of encouraging animals to say now. Tegan gives thoughtful examples of providing choice and... control and why it is not only important for animal care professionals to have an understanding but also the public.   Stay tuned in for Tegan's interesting "Training Tale" about a pygmy falcon who decided to create an awkward ending to a show. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to reach Tegan you can email tnoel@sdzwa.org  Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

2:45 Introduction to Teagan Noel 

5:40 How has the focus on choice and control evolved and changed the way we care for animals? 

11:30 Giving animals control and encouraging animals to “say no” while still receiving active participation 

16:00 Practical examples of providing choice and control: Squirrel Monkeys 

28:35 Practical example: Control over putting on a harness (coati, wombat) 

31:10 Giving more control and removing “forced” choice 

40:35 Importance of providing choice and control from the view of the pubic 

49:40 Advice for starting the process of providing more control 

54:35 “Training Tales”

This episode Cassie Malina, Awesome Animal Solutions, discusses a topic that has been requested by multiple listeners: How to start a behavior program! Cassie starts by detailing what a behavior program could entail, where to start, and how to approach leadership and your team about the process. Cassie also discusses all of the benefits of starting a behavior program to both animal and human wellness. Stay tuned in for two "Training Tales" from Cassie! The first involves a crowned crane learning the importance of an elevator and the second is a unique way in which a hyacinth macaw learned a voluntary towel behavior.  For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ To reach Cassie email awesomeanimalsolutions@gmail.com or visit her website https://www.awesomeanimalsolutions-cassiemalina.com Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

• 1:35 Information about the 2024 Annual Conference 

• 4:30 Introduction to Cassie Malina 

• 11:05 What does a “Behavior Program” entail? 

• 15:20 Where to start when beginning a behavior program? 

• 18:55 Approaching leadership about starting a behavior program

• 24:20 How to prepare and coach your team to prepare for starting a program? 

• 29:30 Behaviors or concepts to start with the animals in the new program? 

• 33:45 Advice on building relationships with animals who previously didn’t have a relationship 

• 39:40 Focusing a behavior plan on animals/species that previously didn’t have one

• 42:30 Reinforcing your teammates and recognizing the “wins”

• 45:30 How to balance the added time commitment of a behavior program 

• 49:55 “Training Tales”

This episode Heather Samper, Moody Gardens and “All Things ABMA”, discusses the importance of body language while training. The first part of the episode focuses on learning to read an animal learner’s body language, how to implement that into your sessions, and the benefits of being a keen listener of body language.  The second portion of the episode focuses on why it is so vital for us as trainers to be cognizant of our own body language.  Stay tuned in for two "Training Tales" from Heather! The first is a hilarious story involving a coati and Russian secret service agents (yes, you read that correctly) and the second is an in depth look into search and rescue with Heather’s beagle.  For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org To reach Heather about ABMA related discussions email website@theabma.org or theabma@theabma.org and for items regarding MyTrainingStore.com email info@mytrainingstore.com Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

• 2:40 Introduction to Heather Samper

• 11:35 Why is it important to learn how to read an animal’s body language? 

• 15:50 Implementing the skill of reading body language into training sessions 

• 26:00 Under or Over Threshold 

• 28:25 Universal body language “fundamentals” 

• 37:05 Calm Baseline 

• 41:00 Reinforcing for body language and the benefits 

•  49:25 Importance of the trainer’s body language 

• 1:00:00 “Training Tales”

This episode Kelli Meyers, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, discusses The 10 Modern Principles of Shaping as created by Karen Pryor and how they have evolved from "The 10 Laws of Shaping". Kelli breaks down each principle and gives advice on how to best implement and think about each of the principles. The 10 principles can be found below in the timestamps for this episode. Stay tuned in for Kelli's "Training Tale" about how she had to get really creative with her body positioning (hint: it included floating in the middle of the habitat) to help teach a sea lion a "clapping" behavior. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to reach Kelli you can email kelligolota@gmail.com Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

• 1:40 Introduction to Kelli Meyers 

• 4:30 Introduction to the 10 modern principles of shaping 

• 6:50 Principle 1: Be prepared before you start 

• 10:35 Principle 2: Ensure success at each step 

• 12:25 Principle 3: Train one criterion at a time

• 14:10 Principle 4: Relax criteria when something changes

• 15:40 Principle 5: If one door close, find another 

• 18:55 Principle 6: Keep training sessions continuous 

• 20:20 Principle 7: Go back to “kindergarten” if necessary, take a step back and then move forward

• 21:45 Principle 8: Keep your attention on your learner 

• 25:50 Principle 9: Stay ahead of your learner 

• 26:45 Principle 10: Quit while you’re ahead 

• 33:20 “Training Tales”

This episode Esther Verhoeven discusses the human perception of animal intelligence (both from the point of view of an animal care professional and a guest) and how that effects behavior. The conversation starts with Esther discussing how behaviorists should view animal intelligence so that it doesn't create excuses or affect the way we manage the animals in our care. Esther finishes the discussion by commenting on educating guests about animal intelligence and the importance of the language that we use when talking to and about animals. Stay tuned in for Esther's "Training Tale" as she dives into discussing how dolphins perceived the idea of a behavior differently during scuba diving training sessions For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to reach Esther you can find her on all major social medias (Estherv_n). Link to Esther's Ted Talk:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCqOCQ4J9qc Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

• 2:50 Introduction to Esther Verhoeven  

• 6:00 How behaviorists/trainers should be viewing animal intelligence? 

• 10:15 Responses to questions about animals being “more” or “less” intelligent than others 

• 13:15 All animals have the ability to learn and, thus, can be trained

• 15:35 Using labels or intelligence as an excuse for not training 

• 18:10 Animals are experts in human body language 

• 19:05 The dangers of thinking for animals in our care 

• 23:20 Educating the public about animal intelligence 

• 26:05 Why our “chosen language” in how we talk to and talk about animals is important 

• 28:45 “Training Tales” 

This episode Gabby Harris, uShake Sea World, discusses an article that she wrote for "Engage", the quarterly behavior publication of The ABMA. The article is titled "Welfare Considerations for Behavior Management of Animals in Human-Care: The Role of Self Regulation”. Gabby educates about why self-regulation can affect an animal's wellbeing and how we can provide opportunities for self-regulation to animals. Stay tuned in for two "Training Tales" each focusing on learning moments with dolphins! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to contact Gabby email gabby@seaworld.org.za or visit her website: www.touchinganimalsouls.blogspot.com To read the article in "Engage": engage Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

4:40 Introduction to Gabby Harris 

12:30 Summary of “Engage” article

15:45 Mental wellbeing of animals 

18:25 Definition of Self-Regulation 

22:40 Providing opportunities for self-regulation

42:25 Optimism of animals 

43:50 “Training Tales”

This episode Kyle Banton-Jones, Wild Enrichment, discusses the importance of focusing on the individual vs the group or species in regards to behavioral husbandry. This episode was recorded in collaboration with Kyle's podcast and is a compliment to episode 53 of the Wild Enrichment Podcast, so be sure to check out here: https://wildenrichment.podbean.com In continuation from that episode, Kyle talks about the evolution of enrichment and advancing behavioral husbandry of under-represented species. Additionally, Kyle discusses an article that he wrote, "Behavioral Husbandry for the Individual", and gives considerations for focusing on both the species/group while also ensuring that individual animal's needs are met. Stay tuned in for Kyle's "Training Tale" about how a macaw gave him a lightbulb moment about communicating with animals while training . For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to reach Kyle email kyle@wildenrichment.com or contact any of Wild Enrichment's social channels. To learn more about Wild Enrichment, read the article that this episode discusses, and utilize their resources visit: https://wildenrichment.com Let's talk some training!

6:00 Introduction to Kyle Banton-Jones and Wild Enrichment 

10:50 How the word “enrichment” has evolved and changed 

13:45 Advancing behavioral husbandry in “under-represented” species

20:20 Behavioral Husbandry for the Individual 

23:45 Considerations from the viewpoint of the species

28:40 Considerations from the viewpoint of the individual  

31:45 Providing opportunities for the group while also providing opportunities for the individual 

34:15 Focusing on one individual’s enrichment goals within a group 

38:10 The importance of applicable data collection 

39:30 “Training Tales”

This episode Dani Larson, Southwick's Zoo, discusses prompts and how they provide additional information to animal learners. Dani gives great examples of prompts and discusses the difference between a prompt and a discriminative stimulus. Additionally, Dani educates about the importance of fading prompts, but also how to utilize prompts when a behavior breakdown. Stay tuned in for a wild "Training Tale" about how Dani used a soup spoon to teach her dog "Paw". For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to reach Dani contact her on Instagram, @danipoirier, or email dani@southwickszoo.com Let's talk some training!

5:55 Introduction to Dani Larson 

11:25 Definition of a Prompt 

13:40 Examples of prompts 

18:35 The difference between a prompt and a discriminative stimulus (cue) 

21:30 Fading out prompts 

29:15 How to fade out a prompt 

38:40 How to utilize a prompt when a behavior breaks down

43:25 “Training Tales”

This episode Meghan Holst, one of the co-founders of MIAZS (Minorities in Aquarium and Zoo Science), adds another addition to "The Behaviors of..." series by discussing the behaviors of allyship and giving insight in to MIAZS as an organization. Meghan educates about what allyship is and ways in which everyone can be involved in being an ally. Meghan also talks about how to professionally and effectively bring up social justice issues in a workplace and why human behavior is just as important as animal behavior. "The healthier and supported humans are, the healthier and supported the animals are." Stay tuned for Meghan's "Training Tale" about conditioning an electrical signal bridge for sharks. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to reach Meghan email executivedirector@miasz.org. Also, check out all of the free, informational resources offered by MIAZS on their website. https://www.miazs.org Let's talk some training!

3:35 Introduction to Meghan Holst 

8:30 All about MIAZS (Minorities in Aquarium and Zoo Sciences) 

17:30 How to get involved and support MIAZS 

19:35 What is Allyship? 

23:00 Behaviors of being an ally 

28:15 How to bring up social justice issues in the workplace 

33:20 Why is human behavior just as important as animal behavior 

38:40 “Training Tales”