41 episodes

From rabbits to rhinos! Have fun with practical application and get "mental" with behavior science. Animal training expert Barbara Heidenreich helps you solve your behavior problems and reach your training goals.

Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich Barbara Heidenreich

    • Science
    • 5.0 • 29 Ratings

From rabbits to rhinos! Have fun with practical application and get "mental" with behavior science. Animal training expert Barbara Heidenreich helps you solve your behavior problems and reach your training goals.

    41-Reaching Our Potential with Proper Attribution Pt 1

    41-Reaching Our Potential with Proper Attribution Pt 1

    Are you a fan of multitasking? I certainly am, and that's why I love audiobooks. They allow me to absorb knowledge while walking my dog or preparing animal diets. In this podcast series, I'm your guide through “Freeing the Crabs from the Bucket. Reaching Our Potential by Recognizing Others.” This 24-page article, which I've been working on for nearly two years, has been a source of enlightenment for me. I believe we can foster industry collaboration and advance our practices by sharing this article. You can access the course and download the beautifully designed article for free at ATGOATS.com. And if you're eager for the next episode, I recommend visiting ATFGOATS.com for instant access.
    Here is the abstract for the article for more information about this topic.
    Freeing Crabs from the Bucket: Reaching Our Potential by Recognizing Others.
    The metaphor of "Crabs in a Bucket" vividly depicts the practice of hindering others' progress or success to propel oneself forward, which ultimately holds back the entire group. This metaphor is particularly relevant to the training and behavior industry. This in-depth commentary discusses the importance of crediting intellectual property, defining plagiarism, and highlighting its impact on individuals and the industry. It also addresses common challenges and misconceptions about proper citation and credit options and provides valuable resources to help individuals learn how to attribute intellectual property appropriately. By freeing the crabs from the bucket and allowing them to fulfill their potential, practitioners can advance the animal training industry and freely contribute to a diverse world of information sharing. Learn how promoting ethical practices and supporting the work of our predecessors can create a brighter future for animal trainers and the industry.
    Recommended Citation:
    Heidenreich, B. (Producer/Writer). (2024, March). Reaching Our Potential with Proper Attribution Pt 1. [Audio Podcast]. Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich.

    • 16 min
    40 - The Role of Assent in Animal Training with Anna Linnehan and Awab Abdel-Jalil

    40 - The Role of Assent in Animal Training with Anna Linnehan and Awab Abdel-Jalil

    Assent is a new buzzword in animal training. But what does it really mean? My special guests, Anna Linnehan and Awab Abdel-Jalil, help us understand. These experts in nonlinear contingency analysis and the constructional approach have collaborated, along with others, to publish two articles on assent. They share an overview of their articles. They explain how to evaluate assent to participate and how you can monitor assent throughout a training session. They dissect the difference between genuine assent and apparent assent. Animal trainers have long presumed positive reinforcement is associated with assent, but as we dive into this topic, we discover that procedures that appear “voluntary” can indeed be coercive. As we aim to be compassionate animal trainers, we can use assent to help us improve our procedures. But as my guests remind us, assent is only part of the equation. Enjoy this podcast interview to gain valuable insights into what genuine assent looks like and how it can provide information to improve your training program.

    • 52 min
    39 - Maximizing the Conference Experience

    39 - Maximizing the Conference Experience

    In this episode we explore how conferences help you unlock the power of connection. We discover how to maximize the conference experience by delving into networking strategies, hidden learning opportunities, staying healthy to go the distance, and the importance of professionalism. From navigating over stimulation to starting meaningful conversations, we explore the pivotal strategies and insider tips that transform the conference experience into an opportunity for personal and professional growth. Whether you're a seasoned attendee or a first-time conference-goer, this podcast aims to equip you with the tools to amplify your networking prowess and make conferences memorable milestones in your professional journey.

    • 27 min
    38 - The History of Giraffe Training with Amy Phelps

    38 - The History of Giraffe Training with Amy Phelps

    Amy Phelps is truly a pioneer in giraffe training. In this episode she shares the inspiring history of training giraffes. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who was there from the beginning, training behaviors for the very first time that have now become standard in the industry, such as training voluntary hoof care. You will get to hear the origin story of the firehose barrier so commonly used today, and its pros and cons. What is also significant is that Amy’s journey has progressed and continues to evolve. She shares exciting advances that have allowed her teams to expand far beyond a handful of behaviors. Amy also shares tactics to move past “doing things to giraffes while they stand there and tolerate it” and why this is so important to supporting assent-based training programs. This interview is packed with useful information for trainers of all species, not just giraffes. I am confident you will enjoy learning from Amy as much as I did.
    Recommended Citation:
    Heidenreich, B. (Producer/Writer). (2023, September 3). The History of Giraffe Training with Amy Phelps. [Audio Podcast] Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich. https://animaltrainingfundamentals.com/podcasts/the-history-of-giraffe-training-with-amy-phelps/

    • 57 min
    37 - The Details are in the Data

    37 - The Details are in the Data

    The information I share is frequently inspired by the work done in real life creating behavior change. This episode is no exception.  During a recent zoo consultation data collection was essential to address a behavior challenge. Our observations revealed some very interesting results which led to refinements in our intervention. So much so, that we reached our goal in two minutes in our second training session! In this episode I cover reasons to consider collecting data for animal training. I also cover what information is helpful to collect, as well as how much information is beneficial. I provide options for how to take data, where to enter it for future reference, and several resources to help use the data to develop interventions and/or reach behavior goals. Listeners can find links to additional resources on the episode webpage.
    Recommended Citation:
    Heidenreich, B. (Producer/Writer). (2023, August 20). The Details are in the Data [Audio Podcast] Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich. https://animaltrainingfundamentals.com/podcasts/the-details-are-in-the-data/

    • 27 min
    36 This is Uncomfortable.....

    36 This is Uncomfortable.....

    This episode was inspired by my own personal journey addressing some discomfort over a much-anticipated upcoming event. While helping myself become more relaxed, I was reminded of some parallels in my work with animals. The word uncomfortable can mean different things to different trainers. Therefore, I cover some common scenarios that trainers may describe as uncomfortable for animals. This might be cooperating in certain medical behaviors, or holding positions for duration, or doing behaviors in new environments.  This also requires describing observable measurable behaviors that can give trainers information that an animal might be uncomfortable. Most importantly, I cover some strategies to consider to prevent or address discomfort. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode and the real-life examples that illustrate the behavior science and its application.
    Recommended Citation:
    Heidenreich, B. (Producer/Writer). (2023, August 12). This is Uncomfortable...... [Audio Podcast] Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich. https://animaltrainingfundamentals.com/podcasts/this-is-uncomfortable/

    • 27 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
29 Ratings

29 Ratings

Lucy2014CA ,

Very informative and positive

My mind has been blown multiple times by discussions had on this podcast. Completely changed how I train certain behaviors and think about training. I’m a professional in the field, and I always want to learn more and think critically about how we do our jobs. Never disappointed by Barbara’s inquisitive nature and willingness to explore the science of our field!

Daribear ,

Always Inspiring!

I absolutely love this podcast! Getting to hear from Barbara and all of the amazing guests she has on keeps inspiring me to become a better trainer and to keep working to improve the quality of life for all of the animals in my care both in my home and in the parrot rescue that I work at.

13Kinos ,

The Best Podcast for Deep Dives into Animal Training Concepts!

When it comes to learning about animal training, this one of my favorite podcasts! What I love about this podcast is that the host, Barbara Heidenreich, explores and explains training concepts much deeper than any other podcast I've listened to! I especially enjoy the episodes when Barbara has guests on, to round out our understanding, too! Thank you for creating another way for me to continually sharpen my training knowledge and understanding! With each episode, I always learn something new, and look forward to the next!

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