Animal Training Academy

In this insightful and thought-provoking conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by Kim Palermo—a Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI) and Animal Centred Education (ACE) Practitioner with over 20 years of professional experience in the dog training industry. A lifelong animal enthusiast who owns Blue Dog training and walking business near Boston, Kim brings a blend of academic rigor, from...

In this deeply personal conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by Danielle Beck — a UK-based clinical animal behaviorist, mentor, and founder of Control The Meerkat. With a rich background spanning over 20 years in zoology and companion animal behavior, Danielle brings a unique and vulnerable lens to the profession, specializing in complex cases involving trauma, aggression, emotional regulation,...

In this insightful conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by  Shane Gorbett — Curator of Animal Training and Behavior at the Philadelphia Zoo and current President of the Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) . Shane brings a wealth of experience from the zoological world, where he specializes in animal care training and behavior management. Bringing a rare analytical lens to the profession,...

In this perspective-shifting conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by  Kapil Patwardhan — a volunteer providing medical aid and food for dogs in Pune, India, an educator focused on community coexistence, and the author of the moving book The Dog I Could Not Save . Kapil brings a unique lens to the animal training world by advocating for the role of a "dog listener", emphasizing the profound wisdo...

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by  Karen Deeds — a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the IAABC and co-owner of Canine Connection in Memphis. Bringing over three decades of experience across assistance dogs, the veterinary profession, and competitive sports, Karen shares a profound "origin story" from the early 1990s—a traumatic assault that...

In this candid and soulful exploration of the trainer's journey, Ryan Cartlidge sits down with Steve Goodall — a director of Packed Dogs Limited , an ABTC registered animal training instructor , and a published author based in a small hamlet in Wales . Steve offers a refreshing look at the "why" behind our interactions with animals, drawing on his eclectic background in the DIY punk music scene an...

In this thoughtful and practical conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by Natalie Light — canine behaviourist, trainer, and director at PACT Dogs Ltd (Professional Association of Canine Trainers) in the UK. With a background that blends hands-on behaviour work, professional education, and a strong commitment to raising standards within the industry, Natalie brings a refreshingly grounded perspect...

In this perspective-shifting conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by Jason Light — director at PACT Dogs Limited in the UK, sustainability consultant through Green Robin Consulting, and a chartered environmentalist with over 20 years of senior leadership experience, including serving as Head of Sustainability for an NHS Foundation Trust. Bringing a rare strategic lens to the animal training prof...

In this thoughtful and business-boosting conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by returning guest Veronica Boutelle — founder of Dogbiz, author of How to Run a Dog Business , and a long-time leader in helping positive reinforcement dog trainers build sustainable, values-aligned businesses. With a rare blend of experience as a professional dog trainer, business owner, and former classroom teacher,...

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast, host Ryan Cartlidge is joined by returning guest Michael Shikashio for a wide-ranging conversation about professionalism, community, and the future of the dog training industry. Michael Shikashio is the founder of AggressiveDog.com, a leading expert in working with aggression cases, a five-time past President of the IAABC, the 2020 APTT Membe...

In this insightful and future-focused episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast , Ryan Cartlidge is joined by two pioneers in applied behavior analysis and professional animal education: Dr. Susan Friedman and Rick Hester , as they introduce and explore their newest collaborative project, Zoo School . Dr. Susan Friedman brings decades of experience as a psychology professor, behavior analyst,...

In this reflective and values-driven episode of the Animal Training Academy Podcast , ATA team members Ryan Cartlidge, Shelly Wood, and Belinda Young come together for a thoughtful discussion on gratitude - one of Animal Training Academy's core values - and the meaningful role it plays in learning, community, and wellbeing. Drawing from personal experience and professional practice, Ryan, Shelly,...

In the second part of our conversation with Ryan Talbot , Behavioral Enrichment and Training Manager at Wolf Park, we continue exploring how behavior science, engineering, and thoughtful creativity come together in Ryan's work with wolves and wolf dogs. Ryan shares how small, systematic changes can create meaningful shifts in cooperative care, and how approaching husbandry through a constructional...

In this first part of our conversation with Ryan Talbot , Behavioral Enrichment and Training Manager at Wolf Park, we dive into the winding and thoughtful path that brought him from computer engineering into the world of applied behavior analysis and cooperative care. Ryan shares how a formative visit to Wolf Park opened his eyes to the power of relationships built through understanding another be...

In this candid and practical conclusion to their two-part conversation, Ryan Cartlidge and Sara Brueske shift from the training field to the front office to discuss the business of animal training. Sara shares an "in the trenches" look at her journey into facility ownership and the evolution of her business, Happy Dog Lodge. The conversation centers on a service model often debated within the posi...

In the first part of this energising two-part conversation, Ryan Cartlidge sits down with Sara Brueske , professional trainer, sport competitor, and owner of On the Run Canine Center. Known for her joyful approach to training and her skill across an impressive range of dog sports, Sara offers a refreshing and practical look at what motivates dogs to engage, play, and grow with us as partners. Draw...

In this reflective and wisdom-filled conversation, Ryan Cartlidge welcomes back Lori Stevens , canine fitness, movement, and behavior specialist, creator of the Balance Harness, and long-time leader in the world of positive reinforcement training. As Lori marks her retirement from the professional speaking circuit, she takes us through the lessons that have defined her teaching philosophy and the...

In this insightful conclusion to our two-part conversation, Ellen Yoakum —Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Behavior Consultant, KPA CTP, and Behavior Consultant with Pet Harmony —returns to explore how we can thoughtfully apply the learning principles we use with our animal learners to ourselves and the humans we work with. Building on the foundations of Part One, Ellen and Ryan dive into the comp...

In this thoughtful first half of a two-part conversation, we're joined by the insightful and articulate Ellen Yoakum —Certified Separation Anxiety Pro Behavior Consultant, KPA CTP, and Behavior Consultant with Pet Harmony . Ellen's path in animal behavior began at the University of Washington , where she immersed herself in captive animal welfare and enrichment research under mentors including Dr....

In this second half of our two-part conversation, we're joined again by the insightful Megan Sanders—zoo behavior consultant, educator, and long-time advocate for evidence-based training. Building on Part One, where we explored Megan's career journey and the value of leaning into discomfort, this episode dives into her master's thesis research on how best to teach the teachers —animal trainers the...

In this inspiring first half of a two-part conversation, we're joined by the accomplished and thoughtful Megan Sanders—zoo behavior consultant, educator, and long-time advocate for evidence-based training. With over 23 years in the zoo field, much of it at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Megan's journey has spanned caring for everything from goats and guinea pigs to snow leopards and mountain lions. Along...

In the second half of this enlightening conversation, we're once again joined by Dr. Mari Valgma—Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer, creator of Movement Puzzles , and founder of The Moving Canine. After hearing Mari's remarkable journey in part one, we now dive deep into the work that has touched thousands of dogs and their humans worldwide. Mari unpacks the origins and applications of...

In this inspiring first half of a two-part conversation, we're joined by the innovative and passionate Dr. Mari Valgma - Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer, creator of  Movement Puzzles , and trailblazer bringing evidence-based training from Estonia to the world. Mari's story is anything but ordinary. From pursuing a PhD in maritime engineering in the UK to pioneering canine fitness tra...

In this second installment of our two-part conversation, Adam Skandarani returns to explore one of the most nuanced and vital topics in our industry: the intersection of art, science, and culture in animal training. Blending professional insight, lived experience, and thoughtful introspection, Adam and Ryan unpack the complexities that arise when training mechanics meet real-world messiness—where...

In this powerful and heartfelt first part of a two-part conversation, we're joined by the insightful and compassionate Adam Skandarani—Certified Control Unleashed Instructor, Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, and tireless advocate for both dogs with Really Big Feelings and the humans who support them. Adam takes us on their "behavior odyssey," tracing a journey shaped by learning, un...