Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA

• 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 ⁠[email protected]⁠ 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”

  --------  

  51:20
• 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 ⁠[email protected]⁠ and to contact Tricia email [email protected] 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 reinforcer30:45 How to tell if a conditioned reinforcer has lost its effectiveness as a reinforcer 36:30 “Training Tales” 

  --------  

  42:04
• 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 ⁠[email protected]⁠ and to contact Shawna email [email protected]⁠ 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 Reinforcers25:45 Definition and application of Secondary Reinforcers34:10 Examples of common reinforcers 42:10 Examples of common punishers52:35 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” 

  --------  

  1:10:32
• 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 [email protected] and to contact Jose email [email protected] 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”

  --------  

  38:06
• 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 [email protected] and to contact Jonelle email [email protected] 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”

  --------  

  43:58

Mais podcasts de Crianças e família

Podcasts em tendência em Crianças e família

Sobre Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA