Animal Training Academy

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/  

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/