Drinking From the Toilet: Real dogs, Real training

In this episode, we discuss what dog trainers need to know about memory, the fun mashup between neuroscience and behavior, how positive associations spread through neural networks, and wanting vs. liking. For full show notes, visit:  www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/141 This podcast is supported by Patreon:  www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss what reinforcers are in play when training and working with hunting dogs, working with behaviors when the reinforcers might be hiding out in a bush where you can't control them, and strategies for breaking down critical distractions for gun dog training. For full show notes, visit:  www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/140 This podcast is supported by Patreon:  www.patreon.co...

In this episode, we discuss what is Constructional Aggression Treatment, what makes it constructional, how this approach is different from other aggression treatment protocols, how CAT deals with the function of aggressive behavior, some common misconceptions trainers may have about CAT, changing emotional behaviors by changing contingencies, how CAT makes use of clicker training principles, and m...

In this episode, we discuss the process of certifying professional dog trainers, as the CCPDT sees it, the advantages of certification, where the CCPDT stands on regulation in the training industry, and why and what they are doing about it. For full show notes, visit:  www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/138 This podcast is supported by Patreon:  www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss what is the value of having someone watch your training session, what is the value of watching someone else's training session, when watching a training session, what do you look for?, the difference in skills between doing a thing and talking about a thing, the challenge of being neutral when observing, improving your creativity as a trainer, and how to handle BEING wa...

In this episode, we discuss bad training sessions can happen for a lot of reasons, be kind to yourself (beating yourself up won't help you do better training in the future), fault is the wrong thing to focus on (you are responsible for the training session, yes, but there is a difference between fault and responsibility), do you know what went wrong?, focus on principles and ABCs to avoid getting...

In this episode, we discuss the difference between normal awareness and hypervigilance, how anxious dogs perceive their environment, how to play the Look at That game (LAT), the way environmental cues can transfer and how we can use that to our advantage, and Leslie's new twist on the original LAT game, which she calls LATTE. For full show notes, visit:  www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/135 This pod...

In this episode, we discuss how to signal the end of a training session, why it matters, how you end a training session matters as much as how you begin one, preventing practicing good behavior without reinforcement, reducing frustration by having clear cues for when reinforcement is available and when it isn't, what to do in the last moments leading up to the end of a session, and strategies for...

In this episode, we discuss what we mean when we say "data," the whole point of recording any data at all, quantitative vs. qualitative, why any data is better than no data, dfferent kinds of information you might want to record, and ideas to include recording data in your routine without interrupting the flow of your training session. For full show notes, visit:  www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/13...

In this episode, we discuss how humans tend to be visually oriented, animals might respond more significantly to other senses, what variables might influence how an animal reacts to a prop or target, how to deconstruct what sensory elements might be associated with a response, and the importance of staying curious and questioning our "stories" whether they are right or not! **Note: I messed up in...

In this episode, we discuss what is a LIMA being?, how did this project evolve?, why is it so hard to apply positive reinforcement principles to ourselves and other people?, and strategies for changing how your own behavior is reinforced. For full show notes, visit:  www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/131 This podcast is supported by Patreon:  www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss what "enrichment" is and why we should care, whether enrichment is part of training or whether training is part of enrichment, what we mean when we say "meeting the animal's needs," whether we can just get a checklist of things to do, why behavioral diversity matters, the importance of measuring outcome, categories of enrichment, and the importance of choice and agency....

In this episode, we discuss how we can apply dog training principles to interacting with humans, why people might think using R+ on people might be manipulative, breaking down skills for human learners just like we do for dogs, don't blow a reinforcement opportunity by using punishment, just because it took so long to get the behavior, and finding empathy for yourself and your human subjects. For...

In this episode, we discuss what your options are when starting from scratch trying to shape behavior, how you can get stuck when trying to shape behavior and your animal isn't offering much, considerations when making changes to the environment to get behavior started, changing the environment to stimulate new behavior, thinking about reinforcement beyond food, how to improve your observational s...

In this episode, we discuss when to change a cue, just because a cue doesn't seem to be working does not mean it's the cue's fault, when it's a training or fluency issue, when the cue itself is actually broken, when it's too close to an existing cue, whether your cue is poisoned, and two options for changing cues if you need to. For full show notes, visit:  www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/127 This...

In this episode, we discuss three possible treat categories - "snacks", enrichment/management, and treats for training, some basic principles for treats selection, how many treats it's ok to give a dog, how snacks matter, but they are different than training treats, what qualities make treats more or less effective for training, why mechanics, timing and delivery, matter more than the actual treat...

In this episode, we discuss who makes the decision - the vet, the trainer, or the pet owner; how behavioral euthanasia is an "active choice" rather than a default decision - there is no formula, and this isn't something that someone has to do because of a specific behavior pattern or problem, but rather an option that may be actively chosen due to safety or quality of life concerns that aren't abl...

In this episode, we discuss who makes the decision - the vet, the trainer, or the pet owner; how behavioral euthanasia is an "active choice" rather than a default decision - there is no formula, and this isn't something that someone has to do because of a specific behavior pattern or problem, but rather an option that may be actively chosen due to safety or quality of life concerns that aren't abl...

In this episode, we discuss why training eye contact is so fulfilling for humans, the other benefits of training eye contact as a behavior, whether dogs hate making eye contact, the drawbacks to training eye contact, how you can make sure your dog's behavior is "voluntary," situations where eye contact might be helpful, and how you can avoid training problems associated with too much eye contact t...

In this episode, we discuss what is so cool about herding, what kinds of dogs can do herding, what is herding instinct, are there things we can train at home to prepare for herding, and what kinds of reinforcers are relevant in herding. For full show notes, visit:  www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/123 This podcast is supported by Patreon:  www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss the challenges of training behaviors that require another person, using remote reinforcement strategies to give you a way to practice, a little zen bowl, the advantages of role-playing a judge, groomer, or vet with your own dog as an initial shaping step, and preventing a plateau by incorporating the Different Every Day game into these sessions. For full show notes, vis...

In this episode, we discuss the challenges of training behaviors that require another person, using remote reinforcement strategies to give you a way to practice, a little zen bowl, the advantages of role-playing a judge, groomer, or vet with your own dog as an initial shaping step, and preventing a plateau by incorporating the Different Every Day game into these sessions. For full show notes, vis...

In this episode we discuss what makes training alone so hard, obstacles and challenges, what is GOOD about training by yourself (it's not all doom and gloom!), some ideas for motivating yourself, tracking progress and staying on track. For full show notes, visit:  www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/121 This podcast is supported by Patreon:  www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss what makes living with a reactive dog hard in addition to the top three skills that make life easier. While we're at it, we discuss how the pandemic brought about surprising changes, too! For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/120 This podcast is supported by Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we talk about training stations and the multitude of ways to get geeky about laying down on a mat! For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/119 This podcast is supported by Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DFTT