by Barbara Heidenreich I recently had the chance to attend a performance by the Amazing Acro-Cats, and I have to say — it was one of…
Read MoreHow the Amazing Acro-Cats Show Sells Out Theaters — And What Every Animal Trainer Can Learn from It
The Evidence-Based Animal Trainer: Going from Knowing How to Understanding Why
Most animal trainers start the same way — someone shows them a technique, they follow the steps, and it works. That recipe-based approach is a…
Read MoreTransforming Zoo Animal Care: A Fresh Look at the Constructional Approach
What if addressing a behavior challenge didn’t begin with asking how to stop unwanted behavior? What if instead we asked what skills are missing from…
Read MoreBreaking Down Hypothetical Constructs, Explanatory Fictions, and Circular Reasoning in Animal Training
Animal trainers use language to describe behavior all the time. We may say an animal is motivated, stubborn, confident, jealous, anxious, dominant, cooperative, frustrated, or…
Read MoreJoint Statement
The Pitfalls of Making Animal Training Too Simplistic
When we first learn about animal training and behavior, we need things to be simplified. Behavioral science is complex, and trying to learn everything at…
Read MoreMastering Critical Thinking in Animal Training: A Guide to Evaluating Journal Articles
Evidence-based animal training requires more than finding a journal article that supports what we already believe. We also need to be able to evaluate the…
Read MoreRedefining Extinction in Animal Training: A Constructional Approach
Extinction is a familiar concept to most animal trainers. A behavior that previously produced reinforcement no longer does, and over time the behavior decreases. On…
Read MoreExploring Resilience in Animal Training: Understanding and Cultivating Adaptive Behavior
In the world of animal training, resilience is a term that is increasingly gaining attention. But what does resilience really mean when it comes to…
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