Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA

Shane Gorbett, Board of Directors, The Animal Behavior Management Alliance
  • 5.0 (20)
  • Pets & Animals
  • Updated Weekly

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 animal care professionals 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. Sep 11

    83: Schedules of Reinforcement - Part 1 with Sue Pasquine, ZooTampa at Lowry Park

    This episode Sue Pasquine, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and an ABMA Board Member, helps to define and break down “Schedules of Reinforcement”. This episode is Part 1 of a two part series breaking down the most commonly heard and used schedules of reinforcement. The episode starts with definitions of schedules of reinforcement and the two categories nonintermittent and intermittent.  Next, continuous reinforcement is discussed.  Continuous is the best schedule to utilize when teaching a new item. Sue then provides some learning into non-intermittent schedules of reinforcement. The importance of knowing what schedules of reinforcement and consistency across team members was discussed.  Sue also discusses how schedules come into play when shaping a new behavior.  The discussion ends with advice for transitioning from a continuous reinforcement schedule to an intermittent schedule.  Stay tuned in for Sue’s "Training Tale" about the power of asking why something is done and the benefits of well conditioned bridging.For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠ and to reach Sue email.  3:55 Introduction to Sue Pasquine  9:45 Definition of Schedules of Reinforcements 12:10 Definition of Non-Intermittent schedules and Continuous Reinforcement  17:20 Definition of Intermittent schedules  25:55 The importance of knowing what schedule we are using and that a team is using the same schedule in the same situations  28:20 How schedules come into play when shaping a new behavior  33:50 Advice for moving from a continuos schedule to an intermittent schedule  41:00 “Training Tales”

  2. Aug 28

    82: Building Resiliency in Animals with Heidi Hellmuth, ABMA Founder

    This episode Heidi Hellmuth, an ABMA founder, provides some great learning and advice for building resiliency, or coping skills, with animals.  This podcast is a companion to Heidi’s presentation at the 2026 ABMA-IAATE annual conference titled “Building Resiliency in Animals from Anemones to Zebras”. The episodes starts with defining resiliency and practical applications to building resiliency in animals while also explaining what resiliency is not.  Next Heidi discusses the importance of proactively vs reactively building resiliency and the positive effects it can have on an animals welfare and mental state.  The episode ends with advice on how to start resiliency building, ideas for parts of an animal’s life and environment to focus on, and the benefits of giving animals more control and agency in their life.  Stay tuned in for Heidi’s "Training Tale" about a hippo who learned to go on a scale in a unique way! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠ and to reach Heidi email heidi.hellmuth@yahoo.com 6:55 Introduction to Heidi Hellmuth  13:50 Definition of resiliency  18:50 The importance of proactively vs reactively building resiliency 20:35 How an individual’s resilience can be an indictor of an animal’s welfare and mental state 24:00 What resiliency is not 27:40 The positive effects that building resiliency can have 31:35 Aspects of an animal’s life to focus on building resiliency 45:00 How can giving animals more control and agency in their life positively affect their resiliency  49:30 Potential risks involved in resiliency building  53:00 Ideas to start resiliency building  58:35 “Training Tales”

  3. Aug 14

    81: The Behaviors of Training the Trainers with Megan Sanders, BehaviorWorks

    This episode continues on "The Behaviors of..." series which dives into the people side of the animal care field. This episode Megan Sanders, BehaviorWorks, discusses the behaviors of training the trainers and advice on coaching people through the science and practical application of training.  This podcast is a companion to Megan’s presentation at the 2026 ABMA-IAATE annual conference titled “Training the Trainer: Behavior Skills Training Using PORTL to Improve Accuracy with Animal Trainers”. Megan starts the episode by demonstrating how we can take our knowledge of the science of training animals and apply that to training and coaching humans.  Next, Megan discusses the importance of practicing skills in the “classroom” beforehand and advice on how to teach those skills.  Finally, Megan provides some advice on giving and receiving feedback and how to best set yourself up for success if you are the one being training. Stay tuned in for Megan’s "Training Tale" about the simple way spider monkeys were recalled from the rainforest. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠ and to contact Megan email mms@behaviorworks.org 4:10 Introduction to Megan Sanders  13:00 How do we use the knowledge that we have about behavior modification in animals and bring that into how we teach people 16:30 Information on resources related to the science of behavior change and people  19:15 The importance of practicing skills before training an animal  30:35 Behavior Skills Training and how to apply that to teaching training  34:30 Teaching training skills in a classroom setting using PORTL  40: 25 Advice on giving feedback  45:45 Modeling as an effective teaching strategy  47:30 How to set yourself up for success if you are the one being trained  57:05 The behaviors of being effective at training trainers  1:02:40 “Training Tales”

  4. Jul 31

    80: Creating Reinforcing and Challenging Environments with Gerry Creighton, Global Elephant Care

    This episode Gerry Creighton, Global Elephant Care, discusses the importance of and advice for creating reinforcing and challenging environments for animals.  Gerry starts the podcast by detailing his journey and the evolution of the Dublin Zoo and then discussing what it means to “borrow animals” for training.  He gives advice on creatinine environments where animals aren’t looking to us for reinforcers.  Gerry also provides learning on giving animals appropriate, biological challenges and allowing animals to make their own decisions.  The podcast ends with advice on how to effectively message to guests, and leadership, when environments are created that may limit the guest view of the animal. Stay tuned in for Gerry’s "Training Tale" about an elephant who learned the joy of positive reinforcement training! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠ and to reach Gerry email ⁠gerry@globalelephantcare.com To learn more about Global Elephant Care and Gerry’s book “Raised by the Zoo: My Life with Elephants and Other Animals” visit https://globalelephantcare.com/ 5:20 Introduction to Gerry Creighton  21:50 “Borrowing Animals” for training  33:25 How can we give animals appropriate challenges in their life?  40:45 Creating environments where animals aren’t looking to us for reinforcers  50:15 Letting animals make their own decisions and how to listen to those decisions  1:01:40 Effectively messaging to guests and leadership if environments cause an animal to not be readily seen 1:08:40 “Training Tales”

  5. Jul 10

    79: Creating Dialogue when Training with Multiple Trainers with Amy Schilz, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo & International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffes

    This episode Amy Schilz, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo & International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffes, provides some great learning and advice for creating a three way dialogue when training with multiple trainers.  This podcast is a companion to Amy’s presentation at the 2026 ABMA-IAATE annual conference titled “Three Way Communication: Creating Clear Contingencies for Learners Working with Multiple Trainers”. Amy starts the episode by discussing the three way dialogue when training with multiple trainers and how each party is providing cues.  The discussion continues with information on how to give control to the animal to start, stop, and continue and the adjustments that we can, and should be making, after an animal says “no”.  Finally, Amy explains advice for keeping criterion consistent and effectively planning and discussing all of the various considerations when training with multiple trainers. Stay tuned in for Amy’s "Training Tale" about the success of one of the newer trainers at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠ and to reach Amy email ⁠giraffe@cmzoo.org.  For more information on the International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffes visit these links: Workshops:https://giraffecenter.cmzoo.org/Workshops Conferences:https://giraffecenter.cmzoo.org/Conferences "How To"  video shorts:https://giraffecenter.cmzoo.org/Video-Shorts 3:00 Introduction to Amy Schilz 8:00 International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffes  14:50 Three Way Communication when training with multiple trainers  18:40 Advice for starting to train with multiple trainers  21:00 How are each party providing cues  30:00 Adjusting what we are doing after an animal says “no”  33:25 Advice for effectively navigating between schedules of reinforcement in a session  37:00 How to keep criterion consistent  44:10 How to give control to the animal and discuss amongst all trainers  51:35 Advice for making a plan with all of the considerations  53:45 “Training Tales”

  6. Jun 26

    78: Training Social Animals in a Group with One Trainer with SK Ivkovich, Dolphin Research Center

    This episode SK Ivkovich, Dolphin Research Center, provides some great learning and advice for training social animals in a group with one trainer.  This podcast is a companion to SK’s presentation at the 2026 ABMA-IAATE annual conference titled “Three’s a Crowd? Benefits of Training Social Animals in a Multi-Animal Group with One Trainer”. SK starts the discussion by advocating for the many benefits, to both animals and humans, of training social animals in a group.  SK also focuses on the importance of focusing on the individual in the group and the role of the social hierarchy.  The episode finishes on some advice for how to get started training social animals in a group. Stay tuned in for SK’s "Training Tale" about DRC’s new harbor seals! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ and to reach SK email sarah.ivkovich@dolphins.org  To learn more about the Dolphin Research Center’s Professional Animal Trainer Program visit https://dolphins.org/drcti_professional_trainer_certificate_program and to learn more about the Dolphin Academy Program visit https://dolphins.org/drcti_professional_trainer_certificate_program 3:15 Introduction to SK Ivkovich  4:50 Information on Dolphin Research Center’s Professional Animal Trainer Program and Dolphin Academy Program  10:15 The benefits of training social animals in a group  18:00 The benefits to the trainers  22:10 How to focus on each individual while training in a group  25:50 The role of social hierarchy  39:50 Advice for starting a session with multiple animals  48:55 Bridging animals in a group  57:00 “Training Tale”

  7. Apr 23

    77: Recap of the 2026 ABMA-IAATE Joint Annual Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States with Tzu Ying Lee, Tom Morath, & Brett Williams

    This episode, through daily live recordings, features a recap of the 2026 ABMA-IAATE Annual Joint Conference (March 30-April 2, 2026) hosted by Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio, United States. Each day of the conference, one of the presenters for the day discusses their presentation and other learning that impacted them.  Day 1: Brett Williams, North Carolina Zoo, United States Day 2: Tzu Ying Lee, Mandai Wildlife Group, Singapore Day 3: Tom Morath, Hawk Conservancy Trust & Nature’s A Hoot Podcast, United Kingdom If you are an ABMA member be sure to log in to AnimalProfessional.com to watch most of the presentations from the 2026 conference. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org.  To purchase Podcast Merchandise visit the ABMA online store at: https://www.sawdustandinkapparel.com/abma26 Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 8:40 Day One Recap: Brett Williams, North Carolina Zoo  24:50 Day Two Recap: Tzu Ying Lee, Mandai Wildlife Group  36:00 Day Three Recap: Tom Morath, Hawk Conservancy Trust & Nature’s a Hoot Podcast

  8. Apr 9

    76: The Behaviors of Partnering for Success - A Live Panel Recording from the ABMA-IAATE 2026 Annual Conference

    This episode continues on "The Behaviors of..." series which dives into the people side of the animal care field. This episode, is a live panel recording from the 2026 ABMA-IAATE Joint Annual Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States with live submitted questions from conference attendees. The panelists discuss “The Behaviors of Partnering for Success” and give advice for both formal leadership and frontline staff.  Among other topics asked by the live audience, the panelists discuss what it means to be a good teammate, setting up systems for success, how to “disagree well”, and how leadership and staff can partner together for success. The panelist are Chris Jenkins (Virginia Zoo in Norfolk), Cinnamon Eubanks (Saint Louis Zoo - Forest Park Campus), Kit Lacy (Cascades Raptor Center) and Erin Katzner (World Parrot Trust).  For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠⁠  6:20 What does “Partnering for Success” look like in the animal care field?  10:55 What is the difference between avian and mammalian trainers?  16:25 From a leadership perspective, what does it look like to partner for success with your staff?  25:05 Advice for staff to have a discussion about partnering with their leadership on a project or initiative 33:30 Advice for when there is resistance to change because what happens now “works”  43:00 Advice for disagreeing well  51:35 Setting up a departmental system for success  1:00:10 Advice for leaders to define roles and staff to work within those roles  1:09:40 Advice when collaboration with a peer isn’t reciprocated  1:16:10 The behaviors of a good teammate  1:21:55 What changes or advancements are the panelists most excited for and how can leadership and staff work together to achieve that goal

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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 animal care professionals 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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • 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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