Explore every episode of the podcast Coffee with the Critters

After 20 years working with animals across species, one issue shows up again and again:

Motivation is misunderstood.

When behavior doesn’t happen, people assume:

• the animal is stubborn

• the animal isn’t interested

• the animal “knows it but won’t do it”

But behavior doesn’t happen because we want it to.

It happens because, in that moment, it is worth it to the animal.

In continuation of celebrating 13 years in business, our next episode of Coffee with the Critters will be discussing Reinforcement History.

• Every behavior an animal exhibits carries a history.

• Behavior continues because it has worked before.

• Reinforcement leaves a history.

• That history shapes what animals do next.

In continuation of celebrating 13 years in business, our next episode of Coffee with the Critters, we'll be discussing Data Collection.

People believe they understand behavior.

But very few people are measuring it.

If you’re not measuring behavior, you’re guessing.

When you evaluate behavior, are you collecting data?

Part Two to Lara’s throwback episode from 2023! Listen as Lara delves deeper into Positive Reinforcement.

When you evaluate enrichment, what variables are you actually measuring?

After working with wolves, birds, primates, reptiles, and numerous species for the past two decades, one lesson continues to surface:

Not all enrichment improves welfare.

In this episode, Lara talks about when enrichment increases arousal instead of meaningful engagement.

Busy does not equal beneficial.

Intensity does not equal appropriate enrichment.

Overstimulation does not equal welfare.

In this two part throwback episode from 2023, Lara breaks down Positive Reinforcement.

This week, I am joined by Chrissy Pratt, President of Elephation, a non-profit focusing on compassionate, sustainable solutions to the multiple issues that affect captive elephants, the people who care for them, and the communities in which they live.

Building Strong, Trusting Relationships with Animals

Here's what we'll cover:

-Beginning to strengthen trust through training

-Understanding behavior

-Shaping trust through two-way learning

-Providing functional enrichment

Ready for some live training demonstrations? In this episode, I will be working with Noodle and showing beneficial training for everyday living with animals.

This week's topic: Scent-Oriented Foraging Enrichment

Here's what we'll cover:

• Designed from a behavioral perspective

• Designed from observation

• ​Examples

This week's topic: Time Management Q&A for Busy Animal Caretakers.

Here's what we'll cover:

• Tips for Time Management

• Implementation Examples I Use

Time Management Q&A for Busy Animal Caretakers

Here's what we'll cover:

• Reviewing the responses from the questionnaire

• Addressing feedback from last week's topic

• Taking your questions and giving feedback

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"Coffee with the Critters" airs every Sunday at 9:30 AM EST. This is a live-streamed event on The Animal Behavior Center's Facebook page.

Time Management for Busy Animal Caretakers

Here's what we'll cover:

• Identifying Obstacles

• Defining Goals & Mission

• Tips that put thoughts into action

The holidays are a time of chaos, but it doesn't have to be. Visitors teaching your animals to bite, bark, jump, eat junk food, etc. If your traveling for the holidays, how are you keeping your animals occupied while you are gone? Lara answers animal behavior, training, and enrichment questions.

In this episode, Lara will be addressing the important topic of Ethics, especially in relation to owning your own business within the animal community. Many people struggle with ethics, politics, and money and trying to stay true to their mission.

This week’s episode is a throwback from a 2020 interview Lara did with Board Certified Behavior Analyst Samantha Sarin.

In this episode, Lara talks about how we designed and created certain enrichment to modify behavior and create complexity.

In this episode, I'm going to tell you some cool facts about birds and key factors to pay attention to when working or interacting with them.

There are several things I try to never do with an animal. Join me as I discuss one of the most common mistakes made with animal behavior I try to never do.

Lara answers questions that viewers had regarding the last two episodes!

This episode is a follow-up from last week's episode on "Is it really enrichment?" It was suggested that this week, I show the viewers photos of potential behavior concerns due to lack of appropriate enrichment vs what behaviors are seen when an animal IS enriched.

In this episode of Coffee with the Critters, what to observe the understand when enrichment isn’t enriching.

In this special episode of Coffee with the Critters, what to observe to understand when enrichment isn't enriching.