Trainer Talks and Tails – Details, episodes & analysis

Lou generously shares an insight into her incredible career working with a variety of primates in different facilities. We talk about training, how to provide the best welfare and the differences between species. Lou also chats about her role working with the Borneo Orangutan Survival group, providing enrichment and welfare to wild animals and how to get involved in field work. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Chris chats with us this week all about his transition from working in a zoo environment to a government role in fisheries. He shares what his role can look like and what it was like leaving the zoo industry. You can find us on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

For this week's episode, we were lucky enough to be joined by Erin Oakley, from Seaworld on the Gold Coast! Erin has had the opportunity to work with a variety of marine animals and has an incredible understanding of training from her years of experience. With this, Erin helps explain some basic training terminology, with examples, that we might use daily within our facilities. She also is interested in concept training and shares what that might look like and how this type of teaching can positively effect animals in human care. If you have any questions for Erin you can reach out on socials @erinjoakley. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

We're so excited to be joined by Village Road Shows Head of Entertainment and communication coach, Michael Croaker this week! With over 30 years of experience, Michael generously shares his tips and tricks for gaining confidence with public speaking and developing your skillset. We chat all about maintaining guest engagement and what to remember when writing scripts. You can reach out to Michael via his website Stand & Deliver Public Speaking Bootcamp (standanddelivercoach.com). You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or for feedback and queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

This week we were lucky enough to sit down with 3 of Paradise Country's animal specialists to chat all about training! The girls chat about training wins and challenges, reinforcers and future training goals with all three species! You can find Paradise Country on socials @paradisecountrygc and the podcast @trainertalksandtails. You can reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Jamie chats with us this week and shares his love and passion for elephants! We chat all about training, reinforcers and social dynamics before diving into the hot topic of protected vs full contact with elephants! Jame discusses about his experience working both, what he sees as pros and cons and what the future of elephant training might look like. You can reach out to Jamie on socials @jamiegray_. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or reach out for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

This week we are lucky enough to be joined by Rachel all the way from the US! Rachel has years of experience working with and training dolphins and we dive into conversations all about training and reinforcers! Asides from working hands on with dolphins, Rachel has developed an incredible program, from her experiences, which provides advice, tips and guidance for aspiring marine animal trainers. If you have any questions for Rachel, you can find her on socials @tursiteach. If you have feedback or queries for the podcast, you can reach out on socials @trainertalksandtails or via email trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

This week its just us! We chat through a bunch of questions that we got sent covering a huge array of topics related to the industry! You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or for feedback or queries reach out on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.

Bianca joins us this week where she generously shares so much of her experience in animal training! We chat about training resources, writing a shaping plan, training hurdles and what a training coordinator or consultant really does! You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails.

Not one, but two ungulate specialists joined us this week! Vicky and Jess, both from Auckland Zoo, chat all about their primary species, rhino, giraffe and nyala! There share their cooperative care training focuses for all species including important dental work and hoof care. We chat about challenges they face and future training goals! If you have any questions for Vicky or Jess, you can reach out to them on vicky.smith@aucklandzoo.co.nz or jess.burgess@aucklandzoo.co.nz. You can find the podcast on socials @trainertalksandtails or for feedback or queries on trainertalksandtails@outlook.com.