Animal Training Academy

In this episode of the ATA podcast show, we delve into the dynamic and often challenging world of families juggling the responsibilities of parenting young children and managing their dogs. Our story revolves around families who find themselves overwhelmed by the chaos of a household with toddlers, babies, and pets. The complexity of ensuring safety and harmony for everyone - adults, children, and animals - is a pressing concern that many face daily. Enter Jennifer Shryock, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and the founder of Family Paws LLC. Jennifer's unique journey from a special education teacher to a leading figure in dog behaviour equips her with unparalleled insights into this delicate balance. Through her innovative programs, Dogs & Storks and Dogs & Toddlers, she has established a new paradigm for families navigating these challenges. In our conversation, we uncover crucial strategies for success, including; setting boundaries for safety between dogs and newborns Establishing "success stations" around the home The necessity of practising active supervision Modelling appropriate behaviour for children and The value of creating predictable routines. These takeaways are not just theoretical but are backed by real-life success stories shared by Jennifer, demonstrating the transformative impact of learning from her knowledge and experience. Join us as we navigate the journey of integrating dogs into families with newborns, aiming to foster an environment of safety, understanding, and mutual respect. Whether you're a parent, dog owner, or both, this episode is a treasure trove of insights and tips to help you lead a fulfilling life while positively impacting the lives of both your human and animal learners. Visit the Family Paws website here >>> https://www.familypaws.comhttps://www.familypaws.com/services/for-dog-professionals/ See Family Paws on Instagram here >>> https://www.instagram.com/familypawsofficial/?hl=en See Family Paws on FaceBook here >>> https://www.facebook.com/FamilyPawsParentEd  

As a listener of the ATA podcast show, we understand how deeply you care about the well-being of the animals you work with. However, at times, your role as a positive reinforcement trainer can feel isolating, stressful, and overwhelming. At ATA, we don't want anyone to feel this way, especially knowing how diligently our listeners strive to make a positive impact on the lives of both animal and human learners they work with. Enter Dr. Kathie Nurena, a human physician and a certified dog trainer. Kathie deeply understands how learning theory and positive reinforcement principles can benefit both animals and humans. Having graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Karen Pryor Academy, Kathie's unique background blends medicine and dog training, providing her with a truly unique perspective on the challenges faced in caring roles. In this episode, together with Kathie, you'll learn about: Trauma-Informed Care: Discover the essence of trauma-informed care and how its principles can be integrated into your role as a trainer. Patient-Centred Care and Compassion Satisfaction: Explore the significance of shifting focus from compassion fatigue to compassion satisfaction. Learn how reframing your thoughts can play a pivotal role in your professional journey, both in preventing burnout and enhancing satisfaction. Emotions, Reinforcement, and Hope: Gain insights into the Maslow scale and pro qual questionnaires, and discover how "hope" (Healthy Outcomes through Positive Experiences) can benefit you. By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with new knowledge and ideas to help avoid feelings of overwhelm and burnout. This will boost your confidence as a trainer, enabling you to have your biggest possible positive impact on the lives of both animal and human learners you work with. Links/references; The original Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire >>> https://www.ncjfcj.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/Finding-Your-Ace-Score.pdf\ Maslach Burnout Inventory >>> https://pscentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Maslach-Burnout-Inventory-.pdf ProQol >>> https://proqol.org/proqol-measure Healthy Outcomes From Positive Experiences (HOPE) >>> https://positiveexperience.org/about-us/ Trauma informed care from CDC >>> https://www.cdc.gov/orr/infographics/6_principles_trauma_info.htm Crisis phone line in USA >>> https://988lifeline.org/ Crisis text line in USA >>> https://www.crisistextline.org/ Clicker Expo Live (Kathie & Linda present Sat Jan 27 8-10 am pacific time) >>> https://clickerexpo.clickertraining.com/clicker-expo-virtual/live-2024-conference-program/ Videos A talk by Dr Nadine Burke Harris (16 minutes) >>> https://youtu.be/95ovIJ3dsNk?si=nI_NtlOeN_0KUunv Three and a half minute video on trauma-informed care >>> https://youtu.be/fWken5DsJcw?si=pCZTrKe3Xgz9oujI

Hannah D. McGee, an expert in 'assent' in animal training, explores the nuances between assent and consent, discusses the tricky terrain of coercion using the example of a rat named Puff, and delves into the essence of genuine choices and the concept of 'degrees of freedom' in animal training.

It's undeniable that caring for aging animals is a complex task. The unique needs of older animals can sometimes leave you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and even a bit helpless. It's a journey filled with emotions and challenges. Enter our guide for this episode, Debbie Marrin. With over 48 years of professional animal training and management experience, Debbie is the Director of Training and Behavioral Husbandry at the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens. She's been at the forefront of husbandry training since 1985 and has a special passion for the care and training of geriatric animals. Debbie has co-authored multiple papers, a book chapter, and has presented at several conferences dedicated to geriatric animal welfare. In this episode, Debbie shares her top 5 strategies to help you navigate the challenges of aging animal care: Be a Good Observer: Recognize both in and out of training behaviours that might be red flags for health issues. Have a Whole Life Plan: Teach foundation behaviours early on to make future training for specific issues easier. Educate Yourself: Learn about common issues that aging animals face, from pain and cognitive decline to kidney disease and arthritis. Take a Wholistic Approach: Consider every component of care, from medications and environmental conditions to nutrition and daily husbandry. Be Compassionate and Flexible: Understand what the animal is experiencing and modify your training expectations accordingly. Don't let the challenges of caring for aging animals lead to stress, overwhelm, or burnout. By listening to this episode, you'll be better equipped to build resilience to setbacks, get more organized, and grow your training skills and knowledge. Enjoy confidence in yourself as a trainer and lead a fulfilling life, positively impacting the lives of the animal and human learners you work with. Listen to the podcast episode now and transform your approach to aging animal care. -- -- -- -- -- Debbie Marrin's email >>> debbiem@sfzoo.org Links Doc; The benefits of training for aging animals [talked about in the episode] Geriatric animal observation log

At Animal Training Academy, we understand your passion. You're dedicated to mastering your animal training skills using a force-free approach. You're driven by the desire to handle the myriad of challenges that come your way, equipped with a broad knowledge & experience base. But like all of us, there are times you hit rough patches in your training journey. These challenges can sometimes leave you feeling overwhelmed & helpless. It's disheartening, especially when you have so much love and dedication for what you do. We believe everyone should be empowered to positively impact the lives of the animal and human learners they come into contact with. Enter our guides for this episode: Dr. Susan Friedman and Rick Hester. Rick Hester has extensive experience at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. He's worked with a diverse range of species from penguins to African lions. Collaborating with experts like Dr. Susan Friedman, Rick has deepened his understanding of behaviour analysis. His work at the zoo and his role as an adjunct faculty at Colorado State University showcase his dedication to the field. Dr. Susan G. Friedman, a global influencer in the realm of animal behavior, is a professor emeritus in the Department of Psychology at Utah State University. Her work, translated into multiple languages, has been instrumental in shaping the understanding of animal behaviour across the world. In this episode, they'll guide you to: Understand the concept of the four freedoms: Freedom to Initiate, Freedom to Form, Freedom to Repeat, and Freedom of Pace. Dive deep into real-world examples with penguins and elephants at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado. Brainstorm and strategize on how to integrate this newfound knowledge into your work, enhancing your ability to meet your animals' needs and improve their welfare. So, are you ready to elevate your training skills? Dive in and listen to this enlightening podcast episode. Our goal at Animal Training Academy is to support you in avoiding the pitfalls of embarrassment, overwhelm, and burnout. By equipping you with the right knowledge and tools, we aim to help you build resilience to setbacks, get more organized, and continuously grow your training skills. Ultimately, we envision you confidently navigating your journey, leading a fulfilling life, and making a positive impact on both animal and human learners. Listen to the episode now and embark on a transformative journey in animal training. Links Learn more from Dr Friedman and get in touch with both her and Rick here >>> https://www.behaviorworks.org/

We know you're a passionate trainer, driven by a desire to master animal training skills through a force-free approach. You dream of a world where animals operate from a place of understanding and trust, not fear. Yet, advocating for positive reinforcement, especially when up against those using aversives, isn't straightforward. How can you effectively champion this cause and foster a paradigm shift in the animal training world? Enter Michele Pouliot, your guide in this most recent ATA podcast episode. With an impressive 51 years in the field, Michele understands the challenges you face and offers a roadmap to navigate them.  Here are three of the [many] big takeaways from the episode on how to advocate for positive reinforcement A little bit of frustraion on your end is okay: Learn to channel your emotions effectively,  The importance of honesty [paired with kindness]: The critical importance of honesty and transparency in building trust with clients. Building Trust: Learn about the importance of trust in your relationships with others, [drawing parallels between the relationships you forge with animals] We want to see you avoid embarrassment, overwhelm and burnout. Instead, we want to see you build resilience to setbacks, get more organised, and grow your training skills and knowledge. In short, we want to see you enjoy confidence in yourself as a trainer and lead a fulfilling life, positively impacting the lives of the animal and human learners you work with. Join us in this awesome episode and turn your aspirations into ripples. LINKS; website:  www.michelepouliot.com IAABC online course:  https://iaabcfoundation.org/courses/creating-desirable-behavior-around-distractions/ Links to videos Freestyle routines https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/kgy9fkap7xzi1gqpedji7/Somewhere-Over-the-Rainbow-MichelenSake.mp4?rlkey=dyaovrp14gf3f7pybj2c4u4wc&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/a650fq5rsvc90z4/I%20Love%20Paris%20MPn%20D.mp4?dl=0

Welcome, appreciated listener of the ATA podcast show. We know you're eager to master your personal animal training skills using a force-free approach. Moreover, you aim to make a significant positive difference with the work you do! Thus, the challenge isn't solely about honing your training skills, but also about conveying the value of positive reinforcement to others. How do you advocate for positive reinforcement, especially when faced with those who still rely on aversive tools? Such challenges can indeed be frustrating, stressful, and overwhelming. Enter Michele Pouliot, your guide in this episode. With an impressive 51 years of experience, Michele isn't just an expert; she's someone who's trodden the path you're on. We delve deep in our discussion, but here are three major takeaways to bolster your ability to influence others: Takeaway 1: Be kind - a philosophy that forges trust between you and those you collaborate with. Takeaway 2: Continually hone your skills in effective communication. Michele will provide insights on introducing alternative techniques gracefully. Takeaway 3: Recognize and cater to each learner's unique needs, appreciating the vital role adaptability plays in teaching. With such profound insights just a click away, you won't want to miss this episode. Embracing Michele's wisdom isn't just about professional development; it's a strategy to sidestep the pitfalls of frustration, overwhelm, and burnout. By listening to this episode, you'll amplify your skills, knowledge, and confidence in influencing others, enabling you to profoundly impact the lives of both animal and human learners you engage with. LINKS; website:  www.michelepouliot.com IAABC online course:  https://iaabcfoundation.org/courses/creating-desirable-behavior-around-distractions/ Links to videos Freestyle routines https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/kgy9fkap7xzi1gqpedji7/Somewhere-Over-the-Rainbow-MichelenSake.mp4?rlkey=dyaovrp14gf3f7pybj2c4u4wc&dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/a650fq5rsvc90z4/I%20Love%20Paris%20MPn%20D.mp4?dl=0  

In this enlightening episode, we've tailored content especially for you, the passionate animal trainer eager to refine your skills. We recognize that, despite your dedication, the path to mastering animal training can sometimes feel overwhelming, filled with complexities and challenges. That's where our expert guest, Jim Mackie, steps in. With over two decades at The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and as their first-ever Animal Behaviour Management Officer, Jim brings a wealth of knowledge on evidence-based training techniques. He offers you a clear three-step plan in this episode: Seize learning opportunities by connecting with top-tier education bodies like BIAZA, EAZA, and the Animal Behaviour Training Council (ABTC). Emphasize quality over quantity in your training sessions, ensuring each moment is impactful and purposeful. Seek out a supportive community where you can exchange experiences, gain guidance, and grow alongside fellow trainers. With Jim's insights and this actionable approach, you're equipped to sidestep common pitfalls and embrace an ethical and effective training methodology. Dive into this episode with us, and let's help you grow your animal training skills, knowledge and confidence so that you can have your biggest possible positive impact on the lives of all the animal and human learners you work with!  Links The Animal Behaviour Training Council [ABTC] >>> https://abtc.org.uk ABTC standards >>> https://abtc.org.uk/practitioners-info/ Zoo Animal Training Symposium poster Register for the ZATS 2023 conference HERE

Welcome to an inspiring episode of our podcast designed just for you - a passionate listener striving to master your personal animal training skills. We know that you are eager to deepen your understanding and connection with animals. Yet, you may often face challenges that can, at times, lead to feelings of overwhelm and helplessness. But in this episode, get ready to meet your guide, Tabitha Kucera. As a renowned animal behaviour consultant and one of only 30 Veterinary Technician Specialists in Behavior globally, Tabitha will provide you with her profound understanding of animals. Her commitment to improving human-animal relationships will help you navigate through the complex landscape of animal training. Tabitha shares a clear, actionable three-step plan to level up your animal training skills: Build good relationships with veterinarians Engage clients effectively in cooperative care Recognize the importance of mental health in your role as an animal trainer, and prioritize fostering good mental health Tabitha's call to action is for you to embrace this three-step plan. Apply it to your own training practices and experience the joy of making a more positive impact on the lives of both human and animal learners. By adopting this plan, you can bypass feelings of overwhelm and helplessness, navigate your animal training challenges more effectively, avoid burnout, and foster resilience and growth in your skills. After tuning into this episode and incorporating Tabitha's insightful advice, you'll find yourself better equipped to handle your training challenges. Your newfound knowledge paves the way to successful training sessions, We aim to bolster your self-confidence and help you lead a fulfilling life as an animal trainer. Imagine a future where you continue to make a positive impact on the lives of the animal and human learners you work with. This episode is your stepping stone on this rewarding journey. Tune in, and embark on your journey to master your animal training skills. Links Happy Vet Visit handout I refer to and others >>> https://chirrupsandchatter.com/resource-library/ Website >>> www.chirrupsandchatter.com Podcast https://tailsfromrvt.buzzsprout.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chirrupsandchatter/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/chirrupsandchatter/  

Animal care professionals stand as advocates in a world where animals and their welfare often remain misunderstood. But sometimes, even the most passionate of us can feel lost and overwhelmed, unable to understand what 'welfare' truly means to these animals. Enter Dr Jill Fernandes, our guest for today's episode. An animal welfare scientist and consultant, Dr Fernandes grew up surrounded by a diverse range of animals, which sparked her curiosity and dedication towards their welfare. She has carved a niche for herself, advocating for animals and helping us understand their needs better. She's here to solve your problem, to demystify the often challenging concept of animal welfare, and guide you through a journey of understanding and communicating with the animals. She shares with us her three unique approaches to 'ask the animals' - beginning with understanding the animal's natural history, forgetting our preconceived notions, and honing our observational skills. By applying Dr Fernandes' techniques, you'll not just understand animals better but also become a more effective advocate for their welfare and be better prepared to meet their need. Her expert insights help you break down the barriers and decipher what the animals are trying to communicate. So tune in to our latest episode, "Asking the Animals: A Guide to Animal Welfare", and let Dr Fernandes guide you through the fascinating world of animal welfare. Discover a new understanding of animals and their needs and empower yourself to make a real difference in their lives. With this new knowledge, you're not just a listener; you're a changemaker in the realm of animal welfare. Links: www.animal-centric.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-fernandes-b3b22827/