Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA

This episode continues on "The Behaviors of..." series which dives into the people side of the animal care field. This episode Megan Sanders, BehaviorWorks, discusses the behaviors of training the trainers and advice on coaching people through the science and practical application of training.  This podcast is a companion to Megan’s presentation at the 2026 ABMA-IAATE annual conference titled “Training the Trainer: Behavior Skills Training Using PORTL to Improve Accuracy with Animal Trainers”. Megan starts the episode by demonstrating how we can take our knowledge of the science of training animals and apply that to training and coaching humans.  Next, Megan discusses the importance of practicing skills in the “classroom” beforehand and advice on how to teach those skills.  Finally, Megan provides some advice on giving and receiving feedback and how to best set yourself up for success if you are the one being training. Stay tuned in for Megan’s "Training Tale" about the simple way spider monkeys were recalled from the rainforest. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠ and to contact Megan email mms@behaviorworks.org
4:10 Introduction to Megan Sanders 

13:00 How do we use the knowledge that we have about behavior modification in animals and bring that into how we teach people

16:30 Information on resources related to the science of behavior change and people 

19:15 The importance of practicing skills before training an animal 

30:35 Behavior Skills Training and how to apply that to teaching training 

34:30 Teaching training skills in a classroom setting using PORTL 

40: 25 Advice on giving feedback 

45:45 Modeling as an effective teaching strategy 

47:30 How to set yourself up for success if you are the one being trained 

57:05 The behaviors of being effective at training trainers 

1:02:40 “Training Tales”

This episode Gerry Creighton, Global Elephant Care, discusses the importance of and advice for creating reinforcing and challenging environments for animals.  Gerry starts the podcast by detailing his journey and the evolution of the Dublin Zoo and then discussing what it means to “borrow animals” for training.  He gives advice on creatinine environments where animals aren’t looking to us for reinforcers.  Gerry also provides learning on giving animals appropriate, biological challenges and allowing animals to make their own decisions.  The podcast ends with advice on how to effectively message to guests, and leadership, when environments are created that may limit the guest view of the animal. Stay tuned in for Gerry’s "Training Tale" about an elephant who learned the joy of positive reinforcement training! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠ and to reach Gerry email ⁠gerry@globalelephantcare.com To learn more about Global Elephant Care and Gerry’s book “Raised by the Zoo: My Life with Elephants and Other Animals” visit https://globalelephantcare.com/
5:20 Introduction to Gerry Creighton 

21:50 “Borrowing Animals” for training 

33:25 How can we give animals appropriate challenges in their life? 

40:45 Creating environments where animals aren’t looking to us for reinforcers 

50:15 Letting animals make their own decisions and how to listen to those decisions 

1:01:40 Effectively messaging to guests and leadership if environments cause an animal to not be readily seen

1:08:40 “Training Tales”

This episode Amy Schilz, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo & International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffes, provides some great learning and advice for creating a three way dialogue when training with multiple trainers.  This podcast is a companion to Amy’s presentation at the 2026 ABMA-IAATE annual conference titled “Three Way Communication: Creating Clear Contingencies for Learners Working with Multiple Trainers”. Amy starts the episode by discussing the three way dialogue when training with multiple trainers and how each party is providing cues.  The discussion continues with information on how to give control to the animal to start, stop, and continue and the adjustments that we can, and should be making, after an animal says “no”.  Finally, Amy explains advice for keeping criterion consistent and effectively planning and discussing all of the various considerations when training with multiple trainers. Stay tuned in for Amy’s "Training Tale" about the success of one of the newer trainers at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠abc@theabma.org⁠⁠ and to reach Amy email ⁠giraffe@cmzoo.org. 
For more information on the International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffes visit these links:
Workshops:https://giraffecenter.cmzoo.org/Workshops
Conferences:https://giraffecenter.cmzoo.org/Conferences
"How To"  video shorts:https://giraffecenter.cmzoo.org/Video-Shorts
3:00 Introduction to Amy Schilz
8:00 International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffes 
14:50 Three Way Communication when training with multiple trainers 
18:40 Advice for starting to train with multiple trainers 
21:00 How are each party providing cues 
30:00 Adjusting what we are doing after an animal says “no” 
33:25 Advice for effectively navigating between schedules of reinforcement in a session 
37:00 How to keep criterion consistent 
44:10 How to give control to the animal and discuss amongst all trainers 
51:35 Advice for making a plan with all of the considerations 
53:45 “Training Tales”

This episode SK Ivkovich, Dolphin Research Center, provides some great learning and advice for training social animals in a group with one trainer.  This podcast is a companion to SK’s presentation at the 2026 ABMA-IAATE annual conference titled “Three’s a Crowd? Benefits of Training Social Animals in a Multi-Animal Group with One Trainer”. SK starts the discussion by advocating for the many benefits, to both animals and humans, of training social animals in a group.  SK also focuses on the importance of focusing on the individual in the group and the role of the social hierarchy.  The episode finishes on some advice for how to get started training social animals in a group. Stay tuned in for SK’s "Training Tale" about DRC’s new harbor seals! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ and to reach SK email sarah.ivkovich@dolphins.org 
To learn more about the Dolphin Research Center’s Professional Animal Trainer Program visit https://dolphins.org/drcti_professional_trainer_certificate_program and to learn more about the Dolphin Academy Program visit https://dolphins.org/drcti_professional_trainer_certificate_program
3:15 Introduction to SK Ivkovich 

4:50 Information on Dolphin Research Center’s Professional Animal Trainer Program and Dolphin Academy Program 

10:15 The benefits of training social animals in a group 

18:00 The benefits to the trainers 

22:10 How to focus on each individual while training in a group 

25:50 The role of social hierarchy 

39:50 Advice for starting a session with multiple animals 

48:55 Bridging animals in a group 

57:00 “Training Tale”

This episode, through daily live recordings, features a recap of the 2026 ABMA-IAATE Annual Joint Conference (March 30-April 2, 2026) hosted by Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio, United States. Each day of the conference, one of the presenters for the day discusses their presentation and other learning that impacted them. 
Day 1: Brett Williams, North Carolina Zoo, United States
Day 2: Tzu Ying Lee, Mandai Wildlife Group, Singapore
Day 3: Tom Morath, Hawk Conservancy Trust & Nature’s A Hoot Podcast, United Kingdom
If you are an ABMA member be sure to log in to AnimalProfessional.com to watch most of the presentations from the 2026 conference. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org. 
To purchase Podcast Merchandise visit the ABMA online store at: https://www.sawdustandinkapparel.com/abma26
Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!
8:40 Day One Recap: Brett Williams, North Carolina Zoo 
24:50 Day Two Recap: Tzu Ying Lee, Mandai Wildlife Group 
36:00 Day Three Recap: Tom Morath, Hawk Conservancy Trust & Nature’s a Hoot Podcast