Animal Training Academy

About the episode; Welcome, animal training enthusiasts! You're tuning in to a unique and exciting episode of our podcast. This time, we're giving you a glimpse behind the mic, revealing the ins and outs of being a podcast host in the fascinating field of animal training. Today's episode features an intriguing discussion from my guest appearance on the TEC Talk podcast from Natural Encounters. This delightful experience was hosted by the passionate and knowledgeable Chris Jenkins and Ari Bailey. But that's not all. I had the honour of being on the panel with Dr. Grey Stafford, the insightful voice behind the Zoo Logic podcast, and Shane Gorbett, the engaging host of Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA. Together, we navigated the stimulating world of podcast hosting, exploring its challenges, triumphs, and the finer details that make this journey unique. This is a bit different from our usual fare, and you might wonder why. It's a rare opportunity to learn about the personalities that echo through your speakers on a regular basis. This candid conversation is filled with enlightening dialogues and absorbing anecdotes, and it's not devoid of humour, either. So, get comfortable and join us on this enlightening journey. Whether you're an avid podcast listener or a budding podcast host, this episode promises to offer a refreshing perspective and might even inspire your own podcasting adventures. Enjoy the show!  

Here are five crucial takeaways from the research that can be practically implemented by those engaged in the field of scent work: It may be beneficial to let go of pre-existing notions about canine olfaction and relearn everything from the ground up. Your human sense of smell, to a certain extent, might not be drastically different from a dog's. Make sure to enjoy the process. It is vital that your training environment aligns with your real operational setting. Ensure that the odor used for training mathced the one used in actual operational settings. Dr. Hall is an Associate Professor of Companion Animal Science at Texas Tech University and the Director of the Canine Olfaction Research and Education Laboratory in the Department of Animal Science. He earned his PhD at the University of Florida, specializing in Behavior Analysis and canine olfaction. Following his doctoral studies, he continued as a postdoc at Arizona State University, investigating the optimization of training to enhance canines' detection of homemade explosives. At Texas Tech, his work continues to explore canine olfactory perception and how experience influences odour perception. His lab also investigates predictors and correlates of problem behaviour, behavioural predictors of working aptitude, and the relationship between behaviour and health using advanced statistical models.

Nicole has been a veterinarian since the late 1980’s and has worked exclusively on companion animal behaviour since 2016. She is a member of the ANZCVS in Veterinary Behaviour and operates a private practice, Animal Sense, for companion animal behaviour issues in Perth, Western Australia. She has been a member of staff at Murdoch University Veterinary school since 2017, teaching the clinical behaviour medicine to undergraduate veterinary students. She loves to pass on knowledge to others through presenting and using case studies to illustrate the enormous array of behaviour problems and their various treatment protocols. She is passionate about educating others on the need for kind, scientifically sound ways to change behaviour. At the heart of her work is a goal for increased empathy between humans and the animals with whom we share the world. For links check here >>> https://atamember.com/2023/06/05/nicole-lobry-de-bruyn-2/

Nicole has been a veterinarian since the late 1980’s and has worked exclusively on companion animal behaviour since 2016. She is a member of the ANZCVS in Veterinary Behaviour and operates a private practice, Animal Sense, for companion animal behaviour issues in Perth, Western Australia. She has been a member of staff at Murdoch University Veterinary school since 2017, teaching the clinical behaviour medicine to undergraduate veterinary students. She loves to pass on knowledge to others through presenting and using case studies to illustrate the enormous array of behaviour problems and their various treatment protocols. She is passionate about educating others on the need for kind, scientifically sound ways to change behaviour. At the heart of her work is a goal for increased empathy between humans and the animals with whom we share the world. For links visit here >>> https://atamember.com/2023/05/22/nicole-lobry-de-bruyn/ 

Dr. Erica Feuerbacher, an Associate Professor at Virginia Tech, dives into the controversial use of prong and shock collars in dog training. She highlights the emotional turmoil these methods cause and emphasizes the need for evidence-based techniques to ensure canine welfare. The discussion also covers the importance of social interaction as a reinforcer, revealing how vocal praise and physical touch can enhance dog training outcomes. Feuerbacher advocates for ongoing research to strengthen understanding and improve our relationships with dogs.

Dr. Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D. is a professor emeritus in the Department of Psychology at Utah State University. Susan has co-authored chapters on behavior change in five veterinary texts, and her popular articles have been translated into 17 languages. She teaches seminars and courses on animal learning online (How Behavior Works: Living & Learning With Animals), with students from 63 countries so far. Susan also consults with zoos and animal organizations around the world. She was appointed to the F&WS California Condor Recovery Team from 2002 – 2010, after which time the team was retired due to the success of the birds in the wild. She is the Chairperson of the Scientific Advisory Committee of American Humane Association (AHA) Film and TV Unit, and a member in good standing of ABAI, ABMA, IAATE and IAABC. For links visit here >>> https://atamember.com/2023/05/08/function-assessments/

Malena DeMartini, is a Certified Trainer and Counselor (CTC), and a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) – She is renowned in the dog training world for her work on canine separation anxiety over more than two decades. Her books, Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs, and Separation Anxiety in Dogs, Next Generation in Treatment Protocols and Practices have helped countless numbers of dogs (and the people that love them). Her online course for guardians called Mission: POSSIBLE has proven to be an invaluable resource in the industry and the success rate realized there is immeasurable. In addition to writing and lecturing for a worldwide audience, Malena oversees a team of top separation anxiety trainers and runs an internationally accessible certification program for accomplished dog professionals looking to hone their skills. Malena is passionate about furthering education in this field through science-based methods. For links visit here >>> https://atamember.com/2023/04/24/csat/

Nicole Pfaller-Sadovsky, PhD Bio As a long-time dog owner (since 1994) and a “Dog Trainer Certified According to Animal Welfare and Protection Legislation” (awarded by the Austrian Ministry of Health and the Messerli Research Institute, VetMed Vienna), Nicole founded her own dog training business in 2008, Happy-Fellow® Coaching & Seminars. Since then, she has worked with clients whose dogs display a wide range of problematic behaviours, such as fear-related behaviour, inter- and intraspecific aggression, or stereotypic behaviours. Additionally, to her work as a behaviourist, Nicole frequently teaches retrieving classes as a fun and stimulating activity for all dogs but also for dog-owner teams participating in retriever-specific competitions. Nicole holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Animal Behaviour from University of Portsmouth (UK) and a MSc degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Queen’s University Belfast (UK). In 2022, Nicole completed her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Behaviour Analysis at Queen’s University Belfast. Currently she conducts research on canine learning, human-dog interactions, and owner training from a behaviour-analytic perspective as a Visiting Scholar affiliated with Queen’s University Belfast. For links visit here >>> https://atamember.com/2023/04/10/nicole-pfaller-sadovsky-2/ 

Nicole Pfaller-Sadovsky, PhD Bio As a long-time dog owner (since 1994) and a “Dog Trainer Certified According to Animal Welfare and Protection Legislation” (awarded by the Austrian Ministry of Health and the Messerli Research Institute, VetMed Vienna), Nicole founded her own dog training business in 2008, Happy-Fellow® Coaching & Seminars. Since then, she has worked with clients whose dogs display a wide range of problematic behaviours, such as fear-related behaviour, inter- and intraspecific aggression, or stereotypic behaviours. Additionally, to her work as a behaviourist, Nicole frequently teaches retrieving classes as a fun and stimulating activity for all dogs but also for dog-owner teams participating in retriever-specific competitions. Nicole holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Animal Behaviour from University of Portsmouth (UK) and a MSc degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Queen’s University Belfast (UK). In 2022, Nicole completed her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Behaviour Analysis at Queen’s University Belfast. Currently she conducts research on canine learning, human-dog interactions, and owner training from a behaviour-analytic perspective as a Visiting Scholar affiliated with Queen’s University Belfast. For links, visit here >>>   

Matt Beisner (CPDT-KA, LFDM-T), is the founder of THE ZEN DOG, and host of “Dog: Impossible” on Disney+. Matt is dedicated to humanely helping dogs and their humans learn how to better connect with one another. He believes that there are "no bad dogs", and works to support positive behaviour change rather than rely on fear, force or commands for control. “What’s good for a dog is good for the world,” says Matt, who also serves as an ambassador of the Texas Humane Network. He and his wife Brooklin now live in Austin with their son, daughter, and family of once "impossible" dogs" For links visit here >>> https://atamember.com/2023/03/13/matt-beisner/