Free Daily Podcast Summary
Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Shane Gorbett, Board of Directors, The Animal Behavior Management Alliance
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!
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 weeks ago1h 10m
85: Reinforcement Systems with Mary Hunter, Behavior Explorer
This episode Mary Hunter, Behavior Explorer, provides some great learning and advice about Reinforcement Systems. This podcast is a companion to Mary’s presentation at the 2024 ABMA annual conference in 2024 titled “Reinforcement Systems: Building Interconnected behavior chains that lead to improved communication and accelerated teaching”. The episode begins by defining Reinforcement Systems and their practical application. Next Mary gives an in depth breakdown to the four dimensions of Reinforcement Systems: Reinforcer, Delivery System, Bridge, Ready Response. The episode ends with Mary discussing how a reinforcement system can improve communication, accelerate learning, and help problem solve various potential training challenges. Stay tuned in for Mary’s "Training Tale" about how her horse has taught her care givers how and where to give her tactile reinforcement! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org. To reach Mary and to learn more about Behavior Explorer and PORTL visit her websites https://behaviorexplorer.com/ and https://stalecheerios.com/ 4:45 Introduction to Mary Hunter6:30 PORTL10:25 Definition of Reinforcement Systems 18:40 The Dimensions of a Reinforcement System: Reinforcer, Delivery System, Bridge, Ready Response 44:55 How can teaching a Reinforcement System increase communication and accelerate learning to avoid accidentally reinforced behaviors. 55:50 What challenges can be problem solved with Reinforcement Systems1:02:25 “Training Tales”
- 4 weeks ago1h 3m
84: Schedules of Reinforcement - Part 2 with Sue Pasquine, ZooTampa at Lowry Park & ABMA Board of Directors
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 2 of a two part series breaking down the most commonly heard and used schedules of reinforcement. The episode aims to break down and discuss the four main types of intermittent reinforcement schedules. Sue explains and gives examples of Fixed Ratio (FR), Fixed Interval (FI), Variable Ratio (VR), and Variable Interval (VI) Schedules. To end the episode, we discuss two “flavors” of schedules of reinforcement which are not found in the literature but are used in practice. These “twists” to traditional reinforcement schedules include Variable Ratio of Reinforcement Variety (VRRV) and a continuous schedule that utilizes secondary reinforcers. Stay tuned in for Sue’s "Training Tale" about reimagining the zoo’s macaw flight and how they implemented a variable schedule od reinforcement. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org. To learn more about the ABMA visit: https://www.theabma.org/6:50 Overview of the four main types of intermittent schedules of reinforcement9:15 Fixed Ratio Schedule (FR)17:35 Fixed Interval Schedule (FI)22:55 Variable Ratio Schedule (VR) 33:50 Variable Interval Schedule (VI)40:00 “Flavor” of Schedule of Reinforcement: Variable Ratio with Reinforcement Variety (VRRV)45:45 “Flavor” of Schedule of Reinforcement: Continuous Schedule Utilizing Secondary Reinforcers 58:30 “Training Tales”
- Sep 11, 202649 min
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 Reinforcements12:10 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”
- Aug 28, 20261h 6m
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.com6:55 Introduction to Heidi Hellmuth 13:50 Definition of resiliency 18:50 The importance of proactively vs reactively building resiliency20:35 How an individual’s resilience can be an indictor of an animal’s welfare and mental state24:00 What resiliency is not27:40 The positive effects that building resiliency can have31:35 Aspects of an animal’s life to focus on building resiliency45:00 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”
- Aug 14, 20261h 9m
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.org4:10 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 people16:30 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”
- Jul 31, 20261h 13m
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 seen1:08:40 “Training Tales”
- Jul 10, 202659 min
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: https://giraffecenter.cmzoo.org/3:00 Introduction to Amy Schilz8:00 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”
- Jun 26, 20261h 3m
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_program3:15 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”
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About 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 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!
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