Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA

This episode Katie Stevens, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, breaks down what it means to "label" an animal and the risks associated with using labels while training. She discusses how labels can lead to poor communication and potentially set up an animal or a training session to fail before it even begins. Katie provides strategies and alternatives to labels that allow us to discuss training through behavior and observation. ...

This episode we take a break from discussing a specific training topic and instead talk about a challenge that most of us in the animal care field have faced: finding the time to train. The core of this episode stems from a quote by Ken Rameriz which is "Don't look at training as a luxury or fringe benefit: it is an essential part of an animal's life." This episode's guest, Stephanie Tien from the North Caroli...

May is National Pet Month so this episode Sarah Dugger from Good Dog and Company discusses that, while the environments may be different, the principles and applications of the science of behavior change is the same between training in a zoo and training pets.  Since Sarah started her career in a zoological setting, she is able to provide a unique perspective on the future of animal training in the home. Sarah also does some functi...

This episode Justin Garner of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, returns to break down both Positive and Negative Punishment. We discuss practical applications of using Punishment and the "side effects" of its usage. Punishment focuses on what the animal shouldn't do, as opposed to providing the information of what they should do. Tune in for Justin's fun "Training Tale" about a dog that helped to teach a cheetahs...

This episode current President of The ABMA, Anaka Nazareth of the National Aquarium, continues our discussion about reinforcement from Episode 9 by breaking down Negative Reinforcement.  We discuss practical applications of using Negative Reinforcement including using this method as a way to give animals control and a voice in their training. However, the episode ends with an explanation of why we want to focus on positive, not neg...

This episode Wouter Stellaard, Behavior 360 and The Kuzo Group, continues the discussion about Tokitae, the killer whale, and touches on the importance of using data to make informed welfare decisions. Additionally, Wouter discusses the importance of putting the animals' successes first and how we talk and think about training. Tune in for some amazing training stories from Wouter including providing more control opportunities...

This episode Mark Simmons, author of “Killing Keiko: The True Story of Free Willy’s Return to the Wild”, dissects the recent news about the plans to release Tokitae, the killer whale, and two Pacific white-sided dolphins, Li-i and Loke, into the waters of the Pacific Northwest.  Mark also discusses his talk at the 2023 conference, "Past is Prologue", which focused on the role of trainers in the preservation of species. Tu...

This episode Andie Haugen, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, discusses the the big one: Positive Reinforcement! Positive Reinforcement is an amazing tool to empower animals and allows for each animal to learn in their own way. Tune in for a two for one "Training Tales" from Andie where she recounts how she captured an animal to mimic the legendary Indiana Jones theme song and describes the fun challenges of switching t...

This episode, through daily live recordings, features a recap of the 2023 ABMA/IMATA joint conference (March 5-10 2023) hosted by Zoo Atlanta and the Georgia Aquarium. Each day of the conference, one of the presenters for the day discusses their presentation and other learning that impacted them.

Day 1: Benjamin Fainsod, Jerusalem Zoo (carnivores@jerusalemzoo.org)

Day 2: Justin Garner, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (justingarner80@gmai...

This episode Pablo Joury, Curator of Pinnipeds at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, discusses Consequences and finishes our breakdown of the ABCs of Behavior! We start with a quick run down of reinforcement and punishment and then continue on exploring the many different ways consequences can be applied while training. Tune in for our first in-person podcast and for Pablo's "Training Tale" of training the first ever eye ...

This episode Chris Jenkins of Natural Encounters, Inc. continues our discussion about the ABCs of Behavior with the start of it all: Antecedents!   We discuss how antecedents set the stage for successful behaviors and how our business cards should read "Professional Antecedent Rearrangers" since that is such a powerful tool while shaping behavior.   Tune in for Chris's fun "Training Tale" about training a Harris...

This episode Nicki Boyd, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, discusses the namesake of the podcast: The ABCs of Behavior!  Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence and how we can utilize the ABCs of Behavior to help us maintain and train new behaviors. Tune in for some amazing training stories from Nicki about emergency recall training with bears, tigers, polar bears, and gorillas.  You can also read more and see videos of the emer...

This episode Steve Martin, President and CEO of Natural Encounters, Inc. and a leader in the field of behavior management, starts our deep dive into the science of behavior change with the crux of it all: Operant Conditioning!  We discuss the importance of having the mindset of reinforcing for tomorrow and how the artful application of training includes a dialogue, with two-way communication, between the teacher and the learne...

This episode Justin Garner, The ABMA Board Member and trainer at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, was asked to describe training in one word and his response was: Relationships!  We dig deep into the many levels of that answer including the importance of animal-trainer relationships fostered by positive reinforcement training techniques using the most positive, least intrusive effective intervention.  Stay tuned for Justin's "Tra...

This episode we dive into the history, goals, resources, and community of The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (The ABMA) with the current president of The ABMA, Kelly Elkins! Also, learn more about what behavior management is in practice and why that phrase was chosen for the organization's name.  Stay tuned for Kelly's "Training Tale" about her close encounter with manta rays and the importance of connecting with animals ...

Welcome to the brand new podcast from The Animal Behavior Management Alliance (The ABMA): "Animal Behavior Conversations"! Our first episode introduces you to your host, Shane Gorbett, who is currently on the Board of Directors for The ABMA, pinniped trainer at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and self-proclaimed behavior nerd.  This episode we will also give an introduction to the podcast.  Each week Shane will be joined b...