Training Matters

07/14/2025

One of the topics we will be exploring at our upcoming Animal Trainers' Retreat: Training With Love + Science is to what extent applied behavior analysis provides a holistic overarching framework for trainers' work with animals, taking into account aspects of behavior that others focus on, such as genetics or neuroscience, or emotions, or choice and control. Many have the misunderstanding that applied behavior analysis is only mechanistic training or teaching and ignores the whole of the individual you are working or engaging with. Many appear to be unaware of the emphasis on rich schedules of reinforcement, provision of choice as evidenced by an individual's preferences and genetic inheritance, and avoidance of coercion involved in contemporary practice.

Eileen Anderson's recent blog article at Eileenanddogs on the limitations of providing hiding places to dogs experiencing fear of loud sounds and other stimuli in their environments provides a lovely example of how a behavior analytic assessment encompasses a broad understanding of what is going on with a learner as well as a solid understanding of how behavior works. Just because an animal hides, doesn't mean the hiding place helps them to feel safe. Safer, yes. Not likely safe. The hiding place just has to be less aversive than the conditions the animal is experiencing outside of it. A hiding place is not a solution to the problem, it is a part of a solution.

Eileen write, "given that many of us have animals that need to hide sometimes, what should we consider in helping them optimize their choice? Just as we do a functional assessment before a training intervention, if we need to provide a hiding place for our pet, it’s important to know the function of the hiding behavior and observe the animal’s preferences... We need to determine as best we can whether a particular product or hiding place protects them from what they are trying to escape, and whether their history (including medical conditions) and preferences ensure it is a safe place for them."

That one word, "history" encompasses quite a lot and anything the assessor deems relevant to the issue at hand, "including medical conditions," which might include results of genetic inheritance or brain and nervous system conditions. Note the emphasis on the animal's "preferences," an essential condition in what many are talking about when they use the language of "choice and control" or "agency." (I see this as a 'what's old is new and what's new is old' phenomenon.) And evaluations of safety in those preferences. (I prefer to eat chocolate all day. That doesn't mean I should.)

We are fortunate that Eileen will be joining us at the Animal Trainers' Retreat in September on a panel discussion of what is encompassed in the ABA framework, along with Kiki Yablon, Kiki Yablon Dog Training; Laura Monaco Torelli, Laura Monaco Torelli - Animal Behavior Training Concepts; Debbie Jacobs, Fearfuldogs.com and Fearful Dogs; Dr. Mindy Waite, Carroll University; and Hannah McGee, MSPCA-Angell. Other presenters include Mary Hunter, Mary Hunter - StaleCheerios and Behavior Explorer; Dr. Keira Moore, Pet Project Dog Training; and Dr. Maia Nahele Owen, Behavior Explorer.

Links in the comments to the event and to Eileen's article. It's a good read.

Picture by Debbie Jacobs of mother Windsprite and newborn puppies, for whom only the best is wished and provided to the best of my ability.

07/12/2025

One of the services we provide here is trainer/animal care provider education. We put together programs that provide training and behavior information from some of the best in the field with a focus on behavior and how it works. Many of our presenters have given their talks at some of most prestigious conferences in the country and abroad, including but not limited to the Karen Pryor Academy' s Clicker Expo, International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants annual conference, and the Association for Behavior Analysis International®'s annual conference. These conferences are not inexpensive to attend. The memberships may also be cost prohibitive for many.

It is part of our mission to provide some of the incredible information presented in these forums, including scientific information on the latest understandings and developments related to behavior and learning, to those who attend our educational events. Putting these programs together and promoting them is not an easy lift, especially for someone such as myself who is not particularly tech savvy and finds the world of social media a little bewildering. It is my hope that folks seeing these posts will share them widely. Or at least the information that they contain: the opportunity to attend learning events that may otherwise be out of reach for many.

Link in the comments of to information about our upcoming event with Kiki Yablon of Kiki Yablon Dog Training, Eileen Anderson of Eileenanddogs, Laura Monaco Torelli - Animal Behavior Training Concepts, Debbie Jacobs of Fearful Dogs,
Mary Hunter - StaleCheerios, Hannah McGee of MSPCA-Angell, Dr. Mindy Waite of Carroll University, Dr. Keira Moore of Pet Project Dog Training, and Dr. Maia Nahele Owen of Behavior Explorer.

Photo of a mama Windsprite eating wet food out of a bowl while lying down with her newborn pups. They deserve nothing but the best.

07/07/2025

We have a fascinating lineup of topics for dog and animal trainers, and animal care professionals, at our upcoming Animal Trainers' Retreat: Training With Love + Science in September. Not a professional animal care provider but a lover of all things behavior and training related as a dedicated pet guardian? You, too, are welcome to attend.

* Panel discussion on ABA as a holistic framework for teaching and training practice, including Debbie Jacobs, Fearful Dogs and Fearfuldogs.com; Laura Monaco Torelli - Animal Behavior Training Concepts; and Eileen Anderson, Eileenanddogs.
* Building reinforcement systems to improve communication with learners by Mary Hunter - StaleCheerios.
* Loose leash walking: the dance dissected by Kiki Yablon, Kiki Yablon Dog Training.
* Anxiety: a science-based approach for animal trainers by Dr. Keira Moore.
* Development and validation of owner-implemented protocols for companion dogs by Dr. Mindy Waite
* Understanding assent through an analysis of alternative contingencies by Hannah McGee, MSPCA-Angell.
* Social reinforcers and sheepherding, by Dr. Maia Nahele Owen.

In addition to listening to these presentations, in-person attendees can enjoy experiential learning and fun experiences playing PORTL (Portable Operant Research and Teaching Lab) and training animals of Lemon's Hope Sanctuary.

Don't miss your early bird discount, ending on July 21! Other discounts for shelter and rescue staff and volunteers, as well as students available. Ceus available through CPDT, IAABC, KPA and PPG.

Link for more information and to register in the comments.

07/04/2025

With modern leash walking allowing dogs more freedom to explore their environments, dogs and handlers alike benefit from responsiveness to each other in relation to stimuli in the environment, so orchestrating the dance between handler, the environment and the dog takes on greater complexity.

"Modern, dog-centered loose leash walking is not the single, homogenous behavior of simply trotting by your side, but rather one of the most complex things that we ask our dogs to do with us. It’s an improvised dance that involves two parties making decisions moment by moment, in response to each other and an ever-changing environment. Like any improvised performance you would actually want to watch, it requires a suite of interlocking prerequisite skills, for both handler and for the dog, that need to be generalized across many situations." ~ Kiki Yablon - Kiki Yablon Dog Training.

We are looking forward to Kiki's presentation on the dance of modern loose leash walking at our annual Animal Trainers' Retreat: Training With Love + Science in September in Vermont. Kiki will talk about what initial arrangements may facilitate this learning from the get-go and why; organize and break out critical component skills for both dogs and handlers; and discuss how to teach some of the ones that she thinks are often overlooked.

This is just one of six talks by behavior analysts, scientists and trainers exploring contemporary understanding and approaches to training and behavior. Other topics will include building reinforcement systems, anxiety, owner-implemented protocols, assent and social reinforcers as well as a panel discussion of applied behavior analysis as a holistic framework to behavior change and welfare. Experiential learning experiences with animals and the Portable Operant Research and Teaching Lab are also on the itinerary.

Ceus available. Early bird discounts for in person attendance until July 21.

Link in the comments.

07/02/2025

Newcomers to the world, 6/30/25. Eight beautiful puppies, four girls and four boys, all doing well.

06/26/2025

06/23/2025

06/21/2025

Last call for the early bird pricing for our upcoming Cue Repair! course.

Join Mary Hunter and Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz as we explore the world of cues, stimulus control, poisoned cues, what creates strong behavior, and more!

Course starts July 17.

You can find lots more info on the Behavior Explorer website or in our recent posts.

06/20/2025

We always need to take into account what is normal, even if it's annoying to us.