This badge signifies the completion of the course Rethinking How We Address Undesired Vocalizations.

Animal training is constantly evolving, and so is our understanding of undesired vocalizations. In this course, we explore how advances in behavioral science are reshaping the way we approach screaming parrots, barking dogs, vocal sea lions, and other animals that communicate in ways we may find challenging. Learn why a functional assessment is the essential first step, how identifying the critical consequence changes the entire intervention, and why building rich behavioral repertoires often leads to more durable, welfare-focused outcomes than traditional approaches. We discuss concepts such as genuine choice, degrees of freedom, superimposition, and the importance of arranging environments where animals can succeed from the very beginning. Through practical examples across multiple species, discover strategies for helping animals access what they need through a growing variety of successful behaviors—creating lasting change by making undesired vocalizations less necessary rather than simply trying to eliminate them. Whether you work with zoo animals, companion animals, or wildlife, this discussion offers practical ideas grounded in emerging evidence-based behavioral science.

This course takes 1 hour to complete.