Animal Training Academy

3:10 - Sean shares how he started on his training journey and how constructional affection was ‘born’ 15:50 - Ryan asks: Do some trainers have a reliance on food? Or are not looking for other methods or reinforcers? 20:20 - Sean introduces how he used CAT and CA with his own dog. 21:20 - Sean describes the procedure of Constructional Affection and outlines the two main steps required: Step 1: The interaction guidelines & Step 2: The affection required 28:07 - Sean defines the term ‘complex fading procedures’ 29:15 - Ryan asks how Sean applies the process to the dogs in the shelter and if there are some dogs are more or less suitable for this particular process. 32:30 - Sean shares the story of ‘Big Mike’ 39:10 - Sean describes that the schedule we are using is not actually a schedule of reinforcement but that the application of affection is actually a conjugate reinforcement procedure or technique. 43:20 - Ryan shares his experience with trying to apply it to his own situation at home with Fibi and Summer and asks Seans advice on the difficulties of split attention and being able to settle the dog using attention. 52:25 - Ryan asks how has constructional affection been applied with humans? 53:00 - Seans discusses the philosophies of the constructional approach. 58:15 - Ryan asks if some people have challenges with the application of the procedures. 1:03:00 - Sean explains what he would like to see occur in the next 5-10 years.

4:00 - How does the current global situation with the pandemic & subsequent change in our routines influence our animals and their behaviors. 4:20 - Malena defines and unpacks the term ‘Separation Anxiety’ 6:44 - Ryan describes his own experience of a panic attack 7:30 - Ryan asks how do we build empathy in dog owners towards the effect of a panic attack or separation anxiety 10:45 - Malena’s shares the importance of helping clients to understand ‘The Why’ of the treatment of separation anxiety. 14:25 - Ryan asks: How important is it to get honesty and truth from your clients? 16:30 - Ryan asks to know what has been the most exciting change in Malena’s thinking, methods and research since the last podcast in 2018? 17:00 - Malena discussed her new book regarding the research since 1970’s 21:35 - Malena explains that she feels that there are some specific effective treatment protocols in place now that lead to success. 24:50 - Malena shares her personal findings and thoughts on which dogs tend to show more separation anxiety than others. 29:35 - Why separation anxiety is the biggest researched behaviour related diagnosis. 31:30 - Whether the changes occurring during the global pandemic will impact our dogs and how can we assess the impact of these changes. 40:15 - Malena discusses the genetic markers that have been researched in regards to separation anxiety. 45:55 - Ryan asks if owners may have noticed signs before lockdown of dogs having a tendency of separation anxiety and Malena describes the lower level signs of distress that get ‘missed’ by the owners. 49:50 - Malena shares her suggestions for clients at this time for dogs that may have separation relation concerns. 57:00 - Malena’s explains her approach to building a community to help clients with their dog. 59:50 - Ryan touches on one of Malena’s previous hopes and goals stated in 2018 and how she feels they have achieved or moved forward from that time.

* 4:45 - Ryan asks Afiya to expand on her academic journey and how she chose to study a Masters and Phd on the topic of growth mindset * 9:16 - Afiya explains how struggle in her personal studies impacted her mindset. * 9:50 -  The game changer for Afiya…How she became receptive and open to seeing failure as an opportunity to grow and learn. * 12:45 - Afiya explains how gratitude presented an opportunity in Mindsetworks * 17:35 - Afiya discusses how preparation of mindset opens possibilities for opportunities. * 20:30 - Why do we pass up on certain opportunities?  What level of awareness and consciousness is present when opportunities arise. * 22:20 - Ryan asks do people with growth mindset feel uncomfortable at times? And frames his thought process that led to the question * 28:25 - How challenging emotions can impact our decisions for ourselves and others. * 30:32 - Ryan asks what does Afiya’s role at Mindsetworks look like at the moment (prior to and during the pandemic) * 35:15 - How the growth mindset programs can help parents, where they can find information to help support the development of their own children. * 35:45 - Afiya describes that being mindful in the language you use can develop the growth mindset for your early learners (children) * 44:07 - Ryan reads the mission of Mindsetworks * 45:15 - Afiya shares the 5 biggest factors that she feels the company teaches and that all humans can use to operate more effectively. * 56:00 - Ryan draughts an example of a discussion in relation to animal training leading to the next question…how do we get to the place where we are proficient at the tools and when do we know to use them for the learner in front of us? * 58:30 - Afiya highlights the value of the learning zone. * 1:04:15 - Ryan recaps Afiya’s top 5 factors that set you up for success in your growth mindset. * 1:05:00 - Afiya shares with us what she would like the worlds growth mindset to be in the next 5-10 years.

* 4:30 - The Growth Mindset defined, why it is important and how it impacts and influences both behaviours and outcomes in our lives * 8:00 - Ryan and Afiya raise how the context, & individual learning history may support and impact the development of our mindset * 9:10 - Afiya shares ideas on where our mindset comes from * 11:45 - How success impacts our mindset * 15:00 - How praise can influence our mindset * 18:00 - How communicating and rewarding a process rather than the product can impact mindset and lead to growth over time * 20:19 - Ryan asks about ‘Imposter Syndrome’ in relation to the growth mindset * 21:30 - Afiya discusses how our level of self-awareness can be beneficial for developing a growth mindset * 22:15 - Afiya describes some benefits of being open about mistakes and imperfection * 23:48 - Afiya shares a personal example of how your mindset can influence others around you and how struggle and challenge is an important part of the learning process * 25:54 - Neuro-science & the growth mindset. * 28:49 - Afiya talks about engaging in learning zone activities and deliberate practice to improve an aspect or skill * 31:40 - Ryans asks about vulnerability, courage and teaching in different contexts with animals or humans * 39:20 - Afiya discusses ways to help support others in developing a growth mindset. * 41:09 - Growth mindset as a life long process of learning and development * 45:57 - The importance of having awareness & reflecting on our own behaviours

* 4:06 - Steve talks about when he first learned about positive reinforcement training and shares some stories from that time. * 8:45 – Steve shares about learning to give the animal a voice by being a student of body language and his move to becoming “the partner of the bird”. * 12:43 – Ryan asks Steve to share with the listeners how they might become better observers of behavior. * 16:15 – Steve talks about his process in building high trust accounts with people to give them feedback in order to help them improve their training. * 29:38 – Ryan asks Steve to talk about something he heard him say years ago “I don’t aim to be the smartest person in the room.” * 34:47 - Steve talks about how meeting Dr. Susan Friedman has impacted his life. * 40:13 – Steve talks about his work consulting at zoos, his work travelling to observe natural behavior, and his new work moving into the world of virtual consulting. * 44:04 – New learning opportunities through NEI TEC are discussed and can be found by visiting https://naturalencounters.com/. * 50:17 – Inspiring caring that leads to conservation action is discussed. * 59:47 - Steve discusses what he would like to see happen in the next 5-10 years in the world of positive reinforcement animal training.

* 3:34 – Lili shares about when she first learned about positive reinforcement animal training, including a story about her dog Boogie. * 10:39 – Lili talks about Boogie and some things she has learned from him. * 12:14 – Illustrating dog body language has become a bit of an obsession for Lili. * 18:46 – Ryan asks Lili to share about reaching out to Sophia Yin to collaborate. * 27:21 – Lili uses art to make language about positive reinforcement training accessible to the public. * 33:22- The importance of cuteness and simplicity as key components of Lili’s artwork is discussed. * 36:40 – Ryan asks Lili to talk about her process in developing her animal body language illustrations. * 41:38 – Lili talks about working with Sarah Owings to develop the “How to Fill Your Dog’s Emotional Cup” infographic. * 47:33 – Ryan asks Lili what she means when she says that “she hasn’t even got started yet”. * 50:24 – Lili talks about what she would like to see in the next 5-10 years in the animal training community.

* 3:44 – Greg talks about getting started in the field of Behavior Analysis. * 9:13 – Greg shares about some pivotal moments in his career. * 14:17 – About Greg's company - FTF Behavior - and the work that they do. * 22:15 – Greg tells people they can visit www.practicalfunctionalassessment.com and go to the “Implementation Assistance” tab to find information about how to improve sleep. * 23:54 – Ryan asks Greg to share important considerations he makes when teaching clients about Behavior Analysis. * 28:25 - Greg explains the term televisibility. * 37:50 – Greg talks a little about schedules of reinforcement and choice. * 42:34 – Five big ideas Greg would like to share with animal trainers. * 42:37 – The big idea that ... “All our procedures are derived from our priorities.” * 48:53 – Greg talks about his priorities of safety, televisibility and rapport. * 50:13 – Greg talks about holism. * 1:00 – “Shaping from joy and shaping from freedom.” * 1:09 – The use of intermittent and unpredictable reinforcement is discussed. * 1:15 – Greg tells people they can find the apps he talked about by going to the “Implementation Assistance” tab at www.practicalfunctionalassessment.com * 1:21 – Ryan asks Greg what he would like to see happen over the next 5–10 years in the world of Behavior Analysis.

* 5:22 – Ken discusses some of the changes that he and KPA have had to make as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic [including changes to the Karen Pryor Professional dog training certification]. * 16:57 – Ryan asks Ken to share what message he can give to trainers who are currently struggling. * 31:14 – Ryan asks Ken if he can share some thoughts on how trainers may best serve others during this time. * 39:30 – Ken shares about a time he felt vulnerable but still had courage to move forward. * 50:57 – Ken's offerings for others about how to push through during vulnerable times. * 53:35 – Ryan asks Ken to share his thoughts on the following question from ATA member Bex Tasker: “Do you significantly adjust your approach based on the species you are work with, and if so, what are some of the main considerations you think are important for trainers to take into account?”

* 3:37 – Vidhya talks about when she first learned about positive reinforcement training and shares some stories from that time. * 11:04 – Ryan asks Vidhya to talk about how she processes it when she sees others using aversives in animal training. * 14:40 – Vidhya talks about the need for more widely available education about what can be done with positive reinforcement. * 20:43 – Vidhya talks about the questions she asks herself related to her training. * 35:07 – Ryan asks Vidhya what skills are required in concept training. * 39:40 – Vidhya talks about how to get started in concept training. * 47:49 – Vidhya tells the story of when she decided she wanted to teach concepts. * 1:01 – Vidhya talks about what she would like to see happen in the next 5-10 years in the animal training world.

* 3:38 – Marjie talks about how she became a dog trainer and shares some stories from that time. * 20:13 – Marjie discusses how her approach to learning has helped her as the Executive Director of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). * 24:50 – Ryan asks Marjie to talk a bit about what she means by some people viewing the use or non/use of certain tools in training as a religion. * 30:11 – Marjie talks about the importance of accountability and collaboration in the field. * 33:11 – The need for regulation in the industry is discussed. * 35:36 - Marjie and Ryan talk about the potential benefits or harm of the use of the word “tribe”. * 38:38 – Ryan asks Marjie if she thinks that people have a desire to belong to something and how we can satisfy that desire to people, while being inclusive. * 51:12 – Marjie shares five important lessons she has learned that have helped her achieve success with the IAABC. * 51:38 – 1.) “Never select ‘reply all’ by mistake.” * 51:47 –  2.) “Be something people can move toward, rather than huddling against together”. * 52:10 –  3.) “Fight for what’s right over what is popular”. * 52:28 – 4.) “The internet will kill me someday”. * 52:34 – 5.) “Most people are great.” * 53:37 - Marjie talks about the “Lemonade Conference” which is being done in collaboration between the IAABC and Fenzi Dog Sports Academy. * 57:15 – “The Pandemic Handbook” and “The Dog Trainer’s Handbook” will soon be available on the IAABC website . * 1:02 – Marjie talks about what she would like to see happen in the next 5-10 years in the animal training world.