Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA

Shane Gorbett, Board of Directors, The Animal Behavior Management Alliance
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Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA Podcast

The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) strives to spread knowledge throughout the animal care field to help enhance animal care through operant conditioning. Each episode we will discuss a topic in the world of animal care and break down the science of behavior change. To achieve this, the podcast’s host, Shane Gorbett, will interview fellow trainers and experts from across the world to discuss all things training, behavior, enrichment, welfare, and much more! This podcast will be a great resource for all trainers. Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    56: The Modern Zookeeper and the Importance of Redefining What We Do with Sam Meinke, Palm Beach Zoo

    This episode Sam Meinke, Palm Beach Zoo, and podcast host, Shane Gorbett, discusses what it means to be a modern zookeeper. The definition of what a zookeeper is and does has drastically changed and is constantly evolving as we continue to progress animal care forward. Some other modern zookeepers were kind enough to share what being a modern zookeeper means to them so Sam and Shane dissect those answers as we redefine what it means to be a zookeeper. The discussion wraps up with the importance of redefining what a modern zookeeper is and does both for the knowledge of the public but also for those currently in the field or hoping to start their careers. Stay tuned in for Sam's "Training Tales" which involves a ground hornbill and a "long cheetah turd". For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to reach Sam you can message him on Facebook or Instagram. Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 3:20 Introduction to Sam Meinke  4:40 Definition of a Zookeeper and redefining into a Modern Zookeeper 13:40 Using the past as a baseline to grow from and do better  20:20 A Modern Zookeeper…. Adapts to new information  22:50 Progressive, Use the artful application of scientific principles  23:45 Knows the individual animals  25:20 Creative, thinks outside the box for enriching the lives of animals  28:20 Responsible for providing each individual animal the best life possible  30:22 Creates a bond with the animals, knows each of their personalities  32:00 Eager to share their special connection with everyone  32:50 Strives to create positive connections in all interactions, changing the mindset from making to asking  36:46 Does research, looks to natural history of animals  38:15 Selfless, puts the animals’ needs above their own, open to feedback  39:20 Prioritizes behavioral management as a necessity 41:30 Focuses on animal wellbeing  43:10 Importance of redefining the modern zookeeper 45:40 Advice on changing the mindset of a team into striving to be modern zookeeprs  49:00 “Training Tales”

    55 min

  2. 4 SEPT

    55: A Free Operant Approach to Behavior Management with Rick Hester, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo & BehaviorWorks

    This episode Rick Hester, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and BehaviorWorks, discusses a free operant approach to behavior management. Rick starts with explaining the practical application of free operant behavior and, in order to get the full scope, also discusses discrete trial training and the relationship between the two. Breaking down some of the science, Rick educates about Lindsley's (1996) Four Free Operant Freedoms and the considerations for providing and maintaining a free operant environment (depletion, satiation, and dosage of resources). Rick finishes the episode with giving advice on how to start curating free operant environments by celebrating each approximation. Stay tuned in for a "dam" great "Training Tale" about creating a free operant environment for beavers using the sound of running water. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to contact Rick email rph@behaviorworks.org Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 6:40 Definition and application of “Free Operant”  10:05 Definition and application of Discrete Trial Training (DTT) 14:10 Connecting the dots between environmental enrichment and free operant principles  16:55 The Freedom to Present Stimuli  17:20 The Freedom to Repeat Responses Many Times to Each Signal  17:50 The Freedom to Form Responses  18:20 The Freedom to Slow or Speed Responses  19:15 Considerations for providing and maintaining a free operant environment 20:40 Resource Depletion  23:20 Satiation of Resources  24:50 Dosage of Resources  28:00 Advice for Getting Team Buy-In; Using Approximations  35:35 The balance between free operant and discrete trial training  39:50 “Training Tales”

    52 min

  3. 14 AUG

    54: The Behaviors of Effectively Giving and Receiving Feedback with Scott Trauger, Natural Encounters, Inc.

    This episode continues on "The Behaviors of..." series which dives into the human side of the animal care field. In this episode Scott Trauger, Natural Encounters, Inc., dives deeper into a discussion centered around his presentation at the 2024 ABMA Annual Conference titled "Expanding Our Feedback Loop: Evolving the Way that We Give Feedback to Our Peers". Scott discusses the different types of feedback and considerations to think about in order to effectively give specific and honest, but also kind, feedback. Scott also discusses the thought of also giving choice and... control to people while providing feedback. Stay tuned in for a "Training Tale" about how Scott used his tree climbing skills and relationship to rescue a pied crow. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to reach Scott contact him on the ABMA Community or email michael.scott.trauger@gmail.com If you are an ABMA member you can watch Scott's presentation on animalprofessional.com Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 2:10 Introduction to Scott Trauger  6:05 “Expanding Our Feedback Loop: Evolving the Ways we Give Feedback to Our Peers”  7:55 Using the word “Feedback” vs “Criticism”  12:05 Different Types of Feedback  18:40 Importance of Individual Relationships  23:30 Being honest and specific but also kind  27:15 Reinforcing the behaviors/responses you want to see happen again  29:30 Recapping or following up after feedback  31:15 Starting with heart and the human, not evidence  35:10 Giving choice and… control to people  43:00 “Training Tales”

    48 min

  4. 31 JUL

    53: Practical Applications of Choice and... Control" with Tegan Noel, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

    This episode we are joined by Tegan Noel, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, to discuss some practical applications and examples of providing choice and... control. This episode is a continuation of Episode 50 where Ken Ramirez broke down the science of choice and... control. The episode starts with Tegan commenting how the focus of those two topics have changed and shaped behavior in recent years. Additionally, she educates about what it means to remove "forced" choice and providing control through the use of encouraging animals to say now. Tegan gives thoughtful examples of providing choice and... control and why it is not only important for animal care professionals to have an understanding but also the public.   Stay tuned in for Tegan's interesting "Training Tale" about a pygmy falcon who decided to create an awkward ending to a show. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to reach Tegan you can email tnoel@sdzwa.org  Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 2:45 Introduction to Teagan Noel  5:40 How has the focus on choice and control evolved and changed the way we care for animals?  11:30 Giving animals control and encouraging animals to “say no” while still receiving active participation  16:00 Practical examples of providing choice and control: Squirrel Monkeys  28:35 Practical example: Control over putting on a harness (coati, wombat)  31:10 Giving more control and removing “forced” choice  40:35 Importance of providing choice and control from the view of the pubic  49:40 Advice for starting the process of providing more control  54:35 “Training Tales”

    1h 0m

  5. 17 JUL

    52: Distant Antecedents: Navigating the Role They Play in Behavior with Chris Jenkins, Natural Encounters, Inc.

    This episode we are joined once again by Chris Jenkins of Natural Encounters, Inc. in order to dive deeper into Antecedents, specially looking at Distant Antecedents and navigating the role they play in behavior.  This episode is a continuation of Episode 6 where Chris broke down the fundamentals of Antecedents. The episode starts with defining the difference between immediate and distant antecedents and then shifts to the slippery slope that is labeling behavior using distant antecedents as the reason. Chris educates about how behavior is influenced by a myriad of environmental conditions and gives advice on how to take away the subjectivity of a distant antecedent and instead listen to what the animal and their behavior is telling us.   Stay tuned in for Chris's interesting "Training Tale" about a double mouth open with a tapir! Additionally check out "The TEC Talk Podcast: Presented by Natural Encounters, Inc.", a like-minded podcast hosted by Chris and Ari Bailey! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to reach Chris you can find his contact information on the Natural Encounters, Inc. website.  Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 3:10 Introduction to Chris Jenkins  7:10 Immediate vs Distant Antecedents  13:20 Antecedents affecting motivation and how our view of them can affect behavior  15:50 Not letting our “arrogance” create roadblocks or excuses for behavior  21:30 Using antecedents to inform decisions while not labeling  26:25 Past consequences become future antecedents  33:00 Using behavioral observations vs our subjective thoughts  37:15 Recognizing that behavior is influenced by more than one condition  41:10 Advice for encouraging others to not place “blame” on distant antecedents  48:55 Critical role us as the human trainers play in behavior  51:50 “Training Tales”

    59 min

  6. 4 JUL

    51: The Behaviors of Successfully Implementing Change with Justin Garner, The Animal Behavior Management Alliance

    This episode continues on "The Behaviors of..." series which dives into the human side of the animal care field. In this episode Justin Garner, Committee Chair for The ABMA, helps to give advice on how to successfully implement change. The discussion begins with ideas and advice on communicating ideas to others and how to then put those ideas into action. Justin and Shane also talk through ideas to overcome some of the common "roadblocks" to successfully implementing change including not enough time, we've always done it this way, and a lack of resources. Stay tuned in for a "Training Tale" about a ground hornbill's love for popcorn and how that almost prevented a new idea from coming to fruition. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to reach Justin contact him on the ABMA Community or email justingarner80@gmail.com  Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 3:10 Introduction to Justin Garner 4:35 Realistically starting to make change 13:45 Putting the focus on the animals and off yourself  18:50 Leading by example  28:20 Building relationships with your teammates  34:25 Potential Roadblock: “We don’t have enough time for this change”  41:20 Potential Roadblock: “This is what we have always done”  54:40 Potential Roadblock: “Lack of resources” 1:00:00 Be real, show your passions  1:03:20 Not being afraid to fail 1:06:55 Training Tales

    1h 16m

  7. 12 JUN

    50: Choice and ... Control with Ken Ramirez, Karen Pryor Clicker Training

    For the 50th episode of the podcast, special guest Ken Ramirez, Karen Pryor Clicker Training breaks down what it means to provide animals with choice and... control. Ken discuss why these terms have often been connected and how to ensure that we are providing both for animals. Ken also speaks to the importance of training in a modern animal setting and how it can be used to help animals get to the "yes" behavior in order to provide control. This episode is filled with practical examples that can provide clarity and help to focus these topics into welfare discussions. Stay tuned in for Ken's "Training Tale" about how he and a rescued dog accidentally ruined a show at the Shedd Aquarium. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to reach Ken you can follow him on Instagram at ken_ramirez_kptc Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 3:55 Introduction to Ken Rameriz  12:05 Introduction to choice and... control  13:45 Definition and practical application of Choice  17:10 Definition and practical application of Control  29:15 Giving animals control while still getting to the yes  37:00 Why are these two terms connected  48:21 Practical example of control  52:10 Can an animal have control but not choice?  59:10 How choice and ... control fit into welfare and future advancements  1:05:40 Advice on how to start using training and behavior to give animals choice and... control  1:08:10 "Training Tales"

    1h 19m

  8. 29 MAY

    49: Stimulus Control with Sandy Jabas, First VP of The ABMA

    This episode Sandy Jabas, The First VP of The ABMA, discusses what it means for a behavior to be under stimulus control. Sandy educates about how to tell if a behavior is under stimulus control and also the importance of stimulus control in our training. Sandy also teases the 2025 ABMA Annual Conference in Galveston, Texas hosted by Moody Gardens! Stay tuned in for three "Training Tales" about a funny mishap when shifting dolphins, a dolphin tail fluke splash gone wrong, and interesting research about dolphin dive reflex. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to reach Sandy you can email firstvp@theabma.org. Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 2:30 Intro to Sandy Jabas  5:50 Intro to the 2025 Annual Conference in Galveston, Texas 9:25 Definition of Stimulus Control  11:40 Practical Examples of Stimulus Control  15:20 How to tell if a behavior is under stimulus control?  23:25 Advice for challenges with training a behavior to be under stimulus control.  27:15 “Training Tales”

    38 min
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About

The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) strives to spread knowledge throughout the animal care field to help enhance animal care through operant conditioning. Each episode we will discuss a topic in the world of animal care and break down the science of behavior change. To achieve this, the podcast’s host, Shane Gorbett, will interview fellow trainers and experts from across the world to discuss all things training, behavior, enrichment, welfare, and much more! This podcast will be a great resource for all trainers. Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

Information

  • Creator
    Shane Gorbett, Board of Directors, The Animal Behavior Management Alliance
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Shane Gorbett, Board of Directors, The Animal Behavior Management Alliance
  • Show Website
    Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA

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