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

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. 5D AGO

    63: Training on the Continuum: Moving Away from Coercion and Towards Genuine Choice with Steve Martin, Natural Encounters, Inc.

    This episode Steve Martin, President and CEO of Natural Encounters, Inc., discusses training on a continuum by moving away from coercion and towards genuine choice. Steve starts the episode by giving a review of the concepts of choice and… control with some practical examples.  The discussion then turns to breaking down behavioral degrees of freedom, genuine choice, and coercion with many more great practical examples. The episode ends with Steve outlining that real-world animal training requires us to train on the continuum but always striving towards providing genuine choice in order to enhance an animal’s welfare.  Stay tuned in for Steve’s motivation and emotional "Training Tale" about a trainer from a show at the Singapore Zoo.  For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ and to contact Steve email s.martin@naturalencounters.com⁠ Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 3:45 Introduction to Steve Martin  9:25 Review of Choice and… Control  18:55 Degrees of Behavioral Freedom 28:20 Free Choice 30:35 Genuine Choice 44:05 Coercion  56:15 Training on the Continuum 1:04:15 “Training Tales”

    1h 12m

  2. APR 2

    62: Motivation and its Affect on Behavior with Mel Paynter & Alyse Stitt, Georgia Aquarium

    This episode Mel Paynter and Alyse Stitt, Georgia Aquarium, discuss motivation in the context of animal behavior and training.  In part 1 of this two episode discussion Mel and Alyse discuss what motivation is, what it looks like in practice, and give some o-fish-ally great examples from the many aquatic species that they work with in the Ocean Voyager habitat at the Georgia Aquarium.  They both dive deeper into breaking down and discussing some of the numerous stimuli and events that can affect motivation.   The discussion finishes with their advice on how to productively and effectively use motivation as a tool in our training toolbox and not as a label.  Stay tuned in for Mel and Alyse’s “Training Tales” that focus on how the fish they have worked with have taught them and changed their perspective. You can also learn more information about the 2025 ABMA annual conference by visiting www.abma.org For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ and to contact Mel and Alyse email mpaynter@georgiaaquarium.org or AStitt@georgiaaquarium.org Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!  3:25 Introduction to Mel Paynter and Alyse Stitt 8:15 Overview of Ocean Voyager habitat at Georgia Aquarium  10:15 Definition of Motivation  13:45 Definition of Motivating Operations  Affects on Motivation:  17:10 Food and Enrichment  24:00 Breeding/Courtship  34:00 Social Structure/Situations  39:50 Environment 43:35 Weather/Seasonality 45:00 Learning History  47:50 Animal’s physical ability to do something 48:50 Previous access to resources 50:35 Differences in motivation among individuals  59:25 Advice for using motivation productively and effectively, not as a label 1:05:35 “Training Tales”

    1h 9m

  3. MAR 19

    61: Fading with Shane Gorbett, Philadelphia Zoo

    This episode Shane Gorbett, Philadelphia Zoo and host of the podcast, discusses and breaks down fading. Shane first discusses examples of what fading looks like in practice and how we can apply the artful application of the science of behavior change in order to know when and how to fade.  Shane also discusses the challenges of fading too quickly, too slowly, or not at all.  Stay tuned in for Shane’s "Training Tale" about Nile crocodile crate training and the importance of paying attention to the communication that we provide to animals.  Visit www.theabma.org for more information and for questions or suggestions about the podcast or to contact Shane, email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!  5:35 Introduction to Shane Gorbett  14:10 Definition of Fading and Examples  25:10 Fading to change a behavior’s cue.  28:00 How do we know when to fade?  31:50 What happens if we fade too quickly?  37:35 What happens if we fade too slowly?  39:05 What happens if we never fade at all?  42:55 “Training Tale”

    51 min

  4. FEB 26

    60: Primary/Unconditioned & Secondary/Conditioned Reinforcers with Tricia Dees, Second Vice President of The ABMA

    This episode Tricia Dees, the second vice president of the ABMA, continues on with the discussion from Episode 59 and goes deeper into primary/unconditioned and secondary/conditioned reinforcers.  Tricia gives some common examples of primary/unconditioned and secondary/conditioned reinforcers but also talks about how individual preference plays a role in determining what is actually a reinforcer for each individual.  The discussion then turns to why and how we can condition a reinforcer and the importance of watching the animal’s behavior to ensure that a conditioned reinforcer maintains its effectiveness. Stay tuned in for Tricia’s “Training Tale” about how she used learning from a presentation at an ABMA conference about zebra training with an otter. You can also learn more information about the 2025 ABMA annual conference by visiting www.abma.org For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ and to contact Tricia email sponsorships@theabma.org Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!  4:05 Introduction to Tricia Dees  6:10 Definition of a Primary/Unconditioned Reinforcer  8:50 Definition of a Secondary/Conditioned Reinforcer  11:50 Are primary and secondary reinforcers the same for every individual in a species?  19:25 Why would we condition a reinforcer?  22:00 Example of how to condition a reinforcer and how to tell if it is an effective reinforcer 30:45 How to tell if a conditioned reinforcer has lost its effectiveness as a reinforcer  36:30 “Training Tales”

    42 min

  5. FEB 12

    59: Reinforcers and Punishers with Shawna Spencer, Coral World Ocean Park

    Welcome back for the first episode of 2025!  This episode Shawna Spencer, Coral World Ocean Park, dives deeper into breaking down reinforcers and punishers.  This episode is full of examples and practical applications.  Shawna starts with a brief introduction to primary and secondary reinforcers before listing examples of common reinforcers and punishers.  The episode finishes with a discussion about how reinforcers can change over time and how to tell if something is no longer a reinforcer for an animal.  Stay tuned in for Shawna’s two doggone great “Training Tales”, one featuring dog training in German.  You can also learn more information about the 2025 ABMA annual conference by listening or visiting www.abma.org For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ and to contact Shawna email spencers702@gmail.com⁠ Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!  3:20 Introduction to Shawna Spencer  13:10 Information about the 2025 ABMA Annual Conference in Galveston, Texas  19:50 Definitions of Reinforcers and Punishers  23:05 What can be a reinforcer or punisher  25:10 Definition of Primary Reinforcers 25:45 Definition and application of Secondary Reinforcers 34:10 Examples of common reinforcers  42:10 Examples of common punishers 52:35 If something is a reinforcer will it always be a reinforcer?   57:40 How to tell if something is no longer a reinforcer?   1:01:00 “Training Tales”

    1h 11m

  6. 11/06/2024

    58: Superstitious Behavior with Jose Bello, Disney's Animals, Science and Environment

    This episode Jose Bello, Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment, discusses superstitious behavior. Jose starts with breaking down what it means for a behavior to be superstitious and examples of what that looks like in a practical application.  Next, Jose educates about the “potential danger” in labeling behaviors as superstitious and how taking the blame away from the animal and placing it on us as the trainers, can give us a better understanding of what is accidentally reinforcing or punishing a superstitious behavior. The episode ends with a discussion and a reminder that all behavior has function and how that mindset can help trainers and teams have a cohesive understanding of superstitious behaviors.  Stay tuned in for Jose’s o-fish-ally great "Training Tale" about a guest’s reaction to water kenneling fish.  For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to contact Jose email Jose.Bello@disney.com Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!  7:00 Introduction to Jose Bello  10:05 Definition and practical application of superstitious behavior  14:55 What does it look like if something is accidentally reinforced?  16:15 How to identify a superstitious behavior?  19:10 What is the potential “danger” in labeling a behavior as superstitious?  21:25 If there is a “potential danger”, should we still call behaviors superstitious?  23:50 How can having extra communication about superstitious behaviors arising from accidental reinforcement help with any labels that may come with the term?  25:50 Advice for recognizing that a behavior has been accidentally reinforced and isn’t just “something the animal always does”  28:05 Recognizing what is actually the reinforcer(s) or punisher(s) for a superstitious behavior?   29:30 All behavior has function 33:45 “Training Tales”

    38 min

  7. 10/23/2024

    57: Training and Behavior in a Research Setting with Jonelle Mason, California National Primate Research Center - UC Davis

    In a special ABMA Behavior Month 2024 episode, Jonelle Mason, California National Primate Research Center - UC Davis, discusses training and behavior in a research setting. Jonelle educates about the similarities and differences between training, cooperative care, and enrichment programs in a zoo compared to a research setting. Additionally, Jonelle talks about some of the unique challenges that arise and the future of behavior management within a research setting. Stay tuned in for Jonelle's "Training Tale" about training her pet corn snake to help with a regurgitation issue. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to contact Jonelle email jmason@ucdavis.edu Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 4:35 Intro to Jonelle Mason  7:35 Comparison of behavior and training in a research vs zoo setting 16:45 Comparison of husbandry and cooperative care training  20:25 Considerations for research related training 29:10 Creating positive human-animal relationships  30:50 Enrichment programs in a research setting  33:30 Lessons from a research setting  35:10 The future of behavior management in a research setting  39:00 “Training Tale”

    44 min

  8. 09/25/2024

    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
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    4.9
    out of 5
    19 Ratings

    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 - 2025
    • Episodes
      63
    • 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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