Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA

• 71: The Behaviors of a Unified and Supportive Team - Part 2 with Dave O'Connell, Bearizona

  This episode continues on "The Behaviors of..." series which dives into the people side of the animal care field. This episode, which is a continuation of episode 29, Dave O’Connell, Bearizona, discusses “The Behaviors of a Unified and Supportive Team”.  The biggest takeaway from the entire episode is that one of the most important behaviors of a supportive team is the ability to talk with another.  Through talking with one another we are able to create shared team goals, disagree in a productive and positive manner, give and receive growth minded feedback, and provide effective corrective feedback.  Dave discusses that the behaviors of effective feedback include being timely, being specific, and being kind.  Dave finishes off the learning by talking about the behaviors of creating supportive and growth-minded team culture. Stay tuned in for Dave’s  "Training Tale" about how the Bearizona team continues their learning journey through “Lunch and Learns”. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠[email protected]⁠ and to contact Dave email [email protected] more information on the ABMA’s virtual conference visit this link: ⁠https://www.theabma.org/virtual-conference⁠To submit an abstract for the ABMA 2026 annual conference visit this link: ⁠https://www.theabma.org/abma-annual-conference4:50 Introduction to Dave O’Connell 13:25 Creating shared goals 20:50 How to disagree well? 25:20 The behaviors of a team with a growth mindset 29:30 Giving and receiving constructive, growth-based feedback 41:20 Giving effective corrective feedback? 47:25 Advice for approaching leadership with feedback and suggestions? 55:15 The behaviors of a team with a unified and supportive culture1:03:00 “Training Tales”

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• 70: Chaining & Behavior Chains with Justin Garner, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

  This episode Justin Garner, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, provides some great learning on behavior chains and the process of chaining.  Justin starts by breaking down the process of chaining while giving practical application examples.  The discussion then dives into how a behavior chain works and dissects what it means for each behavior in the chain to serve as both a discriminative stimulus and a conditioned reinforcer.  Justin then explains the difference between backward and forward chaining and why it is recommended to utilize backward chaining.  The discussion ends with advice on preventing behavior chain breakdown and an explanation on the difference between shaping and chaining.  Stay tuned in for Justin’s  "Training Tale" about a team and a mob of macropods reaching new heights in training.  For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠[email protected]⁠For more information on the ABMA’s virtual conference visit this link: https://www.theabma.org/virtual-conferenceTo submit an abstract for the ABMA 2026 annual conference visit this link: https://www.theabma.org/abma-annual-conferenceTo complete the podcast feedback survey visit this link: ⁠⁠https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/Rspt0Bk/abcpodcast2025⁠⁠1:30 Upcoming ABMA offerings 5:35 Definition and practical application of chaining and behavior chains15:30 Backward chaining 22:35 Forward chaining 26:15 Recommendation to utilize backward chaining31:15 Advice on preventing behavior chain breakdowns 33:50 The difference between chaining and shaping 38:50 “Training Tales” 

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• 69: Changing Conditions to Change Motivation - Part 2 with Wouter Stellaard, Behavior 360 & The Kuzo Group

  This episode wraps up (for now) the two episode arc discussing how changing conditions can change motivation with Wouter Stellaard, Behavior 360 and the Kuzo Group. Before listening to this episode, please take the time to listen to Part 1 of this topic which is episode 68 of the podcast.  This episode is a direct continuation of Episode 68 in which Wouter discusses a multitude of ways in which we can change conditions to change motivation without utilizing diet/weight management.  Wouter discusses strategies if you have come to “the last stop” and determined that the best decision is using food to change motivation. Topics covered include considerations on safety, non-food reinforcers, using all available resources, timing, specific situations, and the importance of record keeping and observations.  The episode ends on a reminder that behavior and learning itself is reinforcing and how we should be adding things, not removing them from animals’ lives and behavioral repitoires. Stay tuned in for Wouter’s inspiring “Training Tale” about training the next generation of animal care givers.    For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠[email protected]⁠ and to contact Wouter email [email protected] or [email protected] For more information and to register for the 2025 ABMA virtual conference visit this link: https://www.theabma.org/virtual-conferenceTo complete the podcast feedback survey visit this link: ⁠⁠https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/Rspt0Bk/abcpodcast2025⁠⁠Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!1:40 New ABMA Virtual Conference + Behavior Month Information3:50 Short recap of Episode 68 - Part 1 10:25 Shifting from Diet/Weight Management to Behavior Management 14:05 Non-Food Reinforcers 17:50 The Last Stop: Using Food to Change Motivation 19:50 Timing of Sessions 21:20 Considerations for Using Food to Change Motivation24:35 Importance of Record Keeping and Observations 26:15 Considerations About Safety 28:50 Using All the Resources Available to Make the Most Informed Decisions 33:50 Signs that Using Food is Detrimental 39:45 Can the Animal Physically Accomplish the Behavior41:35 Definition of Depreciation and its Practical Application  44:50 Behavior and Learning are Reinforcing 52:30 “Training Tale” 

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• 68: Changing Conditions to Change Motivation - Part 1 with Wouter Stellaard, Behavior 360 & The Kuzo Group

  This episode begins a two episode arc discussing how changing conditions can change motivation with Wouter Stellaard, Behavior 360 and the Kuzo Group. In this episode Wouter discusses the many, and not exclusive, ways in which we can change conditions to change motivation that do not involve diet management.  The episode begins by discussing motivation as a construct and a label and then breaking down motivating operations and setting events. Wouter educates on the many ways in which we can alter antecedents and the environment in order to effect motivation.  Additionally, Wouter encourages listeners to evaluate ourselves and our shaping plans.  Stay tuned in for Wouter’s “Training Tale” about getting into the weeds of training Calm Attentive Behaviors (CAB) with wolves at Bearizona.   For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠[email protected]⁠ and to contact Wouter email [email protected] or [email protected] For more information and to register for the ABMA virtual courses visit this link: ⁠⁠https://www.theabma.org/behavior-management-courses⁠⁠To complete the podcast feedback survey visit this link: ⁠⁠https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/Rspt0Bk/abcpodcast2025⁠⁠Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 3:50 Introduction to Wouter Stellaard 9:40 A jumping off point for a discussion 11:35 Change from weight management mindset to behavior management mindset15:10 Definition of Motivation18:50 Motivation as a label 22:55 Motivation and the Study of One in One Moment26:20 Definition of Motivating Operations and Setting Events 29:20 Relationship and Trust 30:40 Variety of reinforcers 31:10 Variety of asked behaviors, rate of reinforcement 33:20 Shifting the mindset to what we can do and away from the animal isn’t motivated37:10 Antecedents and changing the environment 43:50 Evaluating ourselves 49:55 Differential Outcome Effect52:00 Competing Reinforcers 56:30 Reevaluating our shaping plan59:40 Low Motivation vs Reinforced Behavior 1:03:50 Social Structure and Hierarchy 1:13:50 “Training Tales” 

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• 67: Get Out of the Way and Let Behavior Happen with Ari Bailey, Natural Encounters, Inc.

  This episode Ari Bailey, Natural Encounters, Inc., discusses a topic that she will be presenting on at the IAATE Symposium titled “Get Out of the Way and Let Behavior Happen.”  The episode is a great conversation that focuses on recognizing when to fade out and when to implement specific tools such as baiting, prompts, target, etc.  Ari also gives advice on how to approach others with ideas on changing or trying something new in the training process.  The discussion finishes with Ari discussing how getting out of the way of the animal’s behavior can create more consistent and resilient behaviors and learners.   Stay tuned in for Ari’s very unique "Training Tale" about the origin story of a terminology for different sizes of peanuts.  For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠[email protected]⁠ and to contact Ari email [email protected] ⁠For more information and to register for the ABMA virtual courses visit this link: ⁠https://www.theabma.org/behavior-management-courses⁠To complete the podcast feedback survey visit this link: ⁠https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/Rspt0Bk/abcpodcast2025⁠Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 4:30 Introduction to Ari Bailey 12:55 “Get Out of the Way and Let the Behavior Happen” 21:10 How to recognize that it’s time to move on from an approximation 30:30 Using baiting, targets, prompts in the shaping process 42:00 Advice on how to approach teammates with moving to the next approximation 46:10 How to approach teammates about “testing” something new 53:00 How does this correlate to consistent and resilient behaviors? 1:02:05 “Training Tales” 

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