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 her degree in zoology, and compassionate curiosity to her work with dogs and other species.
Together, Ryan and Kim explore the power of observation and the critical importance of creating "safe spaces" for learners to process information. Kim shares her personal journey from a "crossover trainer" to a passionate advocate for positive reinforcement, emphasizing how her own experiences with chronic pain and ADHD have shaped her empathetic, trauma-informed approach to training. They discuss how professional mentors—including the late Gail Fisher, Julie Daniels, and Sarah Fisher—have left an indelible mark on her career and the industry at large.
A major focus of the discussion is the innovative concept Kim calls "opt-out stations." By integrating ACE Free Work and Control Unleashed principles, Kim explains how giving dogs the freedom to choose when to engage and when to take a break can drastically reduce frustration and increase clarity in training. She breaks down the science of assent versus consent and the role of "degrees of freedom" in allowing animals to participate in their own learning process without the pressure of perceived coercion. Whether she is working with high-level sports dogs or rescue dogs with complex histories, Kim demonstrates how these simple environmental adjustments can transform a struggling learner into an enthusiastic, confident partner.
Throughout this episode, we discuss:
✅ Kim's journey from zookeeping and dog walking to clinical behavior and dog sports
✅ Why hands-on experience and observation are the most valuable tools for new trainers
✅ The core principles of ACE Free Work and how it physically and emotionally supports dogs
✅ How to bridge the gap between "artistry" and scalable training methodologies
✅ The fascinating concept of "opt-out stations" and how they provide clarity and choice
✅ Understanding the difference between consent and assent in animal training
✅ How to manage arousal and frustration by allowing learners to process the environment
✅ The value of finding mentors who encourage creativity and brave exploration
Whether you are a seasoned professional, a beginner looking for guidance on how to start, or someone interested in the intersection of neuroscience and animal behavior, this episode offers a practical roadmap for creating training sessions built on kindness, agency, and connection.
Links
https://kimpalermo.com/ 
https://www.bluedogpetcare.com/ 
https://www.instagram.com/kimanddogs/

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, and assistance dog training.
Together, Ryan and Danielle explore the critical and often overlooked reality of isolation within the animal training industry. Danielle opens up about her personal journey living with dissociative identity disorder, explaining how the stigma surrounding her own mental health and disability mirrors the challenges many trainers face when they feel pressured to project an image of perfection. They discuss how the "Instagram-reality" of our profession often prevents trainers from seeking the support they need, leading to burnout, compassion fatigue, and imposter syndrome.
The conversation also highlights the intersection of neuroscience and practical animal training. Danielle shares how her "meerkat analogy"—a tool for understanding the moment an animal shifts into survival mode—has become a cornerstone of her approach to trauma-informed practice. She offers a compassionate roadmap for professionals to build stronger, more collaborative networks, manage time budgets in the face of disability or neurodivergence, and create "safe spaces" where trainers can bounce ideas off one another without the fear of judgment.
This episode is a heartfelt call to action for the industry to move away from competition and toward radical empathy. By leaning into vulnerability and acknowledging our shared human limitations, we can build a more inclusive, resilient, and supportive community for both the animals we train and the humans who care for them.
Throughout this episode, we discuss:
✅ The "behavior odyssey" that led Danielle from zookeeping to clinical animal behavior
✅ Understanding the "lizard brain" and the universality of learning theory across species
✅ The hidden epidemic of isolation among animal professionals and why peer support is essential
✅ Danielle's personal experience with dissociative identity disorder and the importance of professional transparency
✅ How to build a sustainable, values-driven career while managing chronic illness or disability
✅ Moving from a "people-pleasing" mindset to setting healthy professional boundaries
✅ Why the future of our industry depends on true collaboration, compassion, and removing the shame associated with asking for help
Whether you're a seasoned professional, a trainer navigating your own health challenges, or simply seeking a more supportive peer network, this episode offers a refreshing and empowering roadmap for creating a career that is built on safety, kindness, and connection.
Links
Website 
 www.controlthemeerkat.com
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/geekydogtrainer
https://www.facebook.com/DanielleBeckCAB/
https://www.facebook.com/ControlTheMeerkat/
Insta
https://www.instagram.com/controlthemeerkat/
https://www.instagram.com/geekydogtrainer/
TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@controlthemeerkat 
Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@controlthemeerkat
https://www.youtube.com/@DanielleBeck-CAB

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, Shane challenges us to look past "common sense" and intuition, and instead embrace objective data as the foundation for high-level animal welfare and professional advocacy.
Together, Ryan and Shane explore how documentation and data collection are far more than just administrative requirements; they are essential tools for clarity and institutional change. Shane shares how moving from "we think it's working" to "we know it's working" allows trainers to communicate more effectively with stakeholders, secure necessary resources, and prove the efficacy of their training programs. He offers practical reflections on how simple, consistent record-keeping can reveal trends that the human brain might otherwise miss, leading to more successful outcomes for both the animals and the humans who care for them.
The conversation also highlights the role of the ABMA in fostering a global community where behavior management is shared across diverse species. Shane reflects on his journey hosting the ABMA podcast and the importance of professional collaboration in raising industry standards. For those who may feel intimidated by spreadsheets or "data phobia," Shane provides an empowering roadmap for starting small, finding the "why" behind the numbers, and using information to tell a more compelling and accurate story for the animals in our charge.
Throughout this episode, we discuss:
✅ The shift from "intuition-based" to "data-driven" animal training
✅ Shane's role at the Philadelphia Zoo and his work leading the ABMA
✅ How to use objective data as a tool for advocacy and securing resources
✅ Overcoming "data phobia" and the practicalities of simple record-keeping
✅ The importance of tracking medical behaviors and husbandry progress for better welfare
✅ How the ABMA supports professional growth through global collaboration and shared knowledge
✅ Why objective evidence is the key to proving the "ripples" we create in our work
✅ Using data to bridge the gap between animal care staff and organizational leadership
Whether you are working in a zoological setting, a domestic training environment, or simply looking for ways to elevate your professional standards, this episode offers a practical roadmap for using information to create a more ethical and impactful career.
Links
ABMA website: https://www.theabma.org/ 
Animal Behavior Conversations Podcast (Spotify): https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/theabmapodcast/ 
Email Shane: abc@theabma.org 
Philadelphia Zoo: https://www.philadelphiazoo.org/

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 wisdom found in free-ranging dogs who navigate complex human environments every day.
Together, Ryan and Kapil explore the lives of "Indie" dogs and the delicate balance of coexisting with animals that aren't "owned" in the Western sense but are integral members of their local communities. Kapil shares his philosophy of non-interference and silent observation, explaining how allowing dogs to be our teachers can fundamentally change how we understand body language, social structures, and the concept of choice. He reflects on his personal journey from a technical background to providing hands-on medical aid in the streets of Pune, and how a singular, tragic loss shaped his mission to help others understand the "why" behind dog behavior to reduce human-animal conflict.
The conversation also highlights the challenges faced by free-ranging dogs in rapidly urbanizing environments and the importance of educating the public on how to read canine signals to foster safer, more harmonious neighborhoods. Kapil offers practical reflections on how we can all become better listeners for the animals in our lives by prioritizing their agency and understanding the natural social behaviors that exist when human intervention is minimized.
Throughout this episode, we discuss:
✅ The reality of free-ranging "Indie" dogs and their unique place in Indian society
✅ Becoming a "Dog Listener" and the transformative power of non-interference
✅ The story and inspiration behind the book The Dog I Could Not Save
✅ Reducing community conflict through education on canine body language
✅ Kapil's transition from a tech career to animal welfare and street-level medical aid
✅ How urbanization and modern infrastructure impact the social lives of street dogs
✅ Shifting our perspective to let dogs be the primary educators in our learning journey
✅ The importance of food and medical security for community-owned animals
Whether you are a professional trainer looking for a fresh perspective on canine social dynamics, a volunteer in the rescue world, or someone interested in the intersection of culture and animal welfare, this episode offers aneye-opening roadmap for coexisting with the animals around us with greater empathy and understanding.
Links
India Dog study tours link - dogstudytour.com
The Dog Who Goes To School Children's Book link for free download - https://ibh-hundeschulen.org/tipps/neu-der-hund-der-zur-schule-geht/

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 her own dog intervened in—which shifted her entire focus from traditional obedience training to the complex emotional world of animal behaviour.
Together, Ryan and Karen explore the transformative world of Multiple Marker Systems (MMS) and why the delivery of reinforcement is just as critical as the reinforcer itself. Karen explains how moving beyond a single clicker to specific verbal cues like "toss," "scatter," and "tush" can provide dogs with ultimate clarity, reducing frustration and creating a more cooperative partnership. They discuss the concept of "eating as a behaviour" and how strategically placing, moving, or slowing down food delivery can directly influence a dog's physical physiology and emotional state in both high-level sports and severe behaviour cases.
The conversation also highlights the vital bridge between "in the trenches" experience and academic science. Karen reflects on a pivotal interaction at the University of North Texas with the ORCA group, highlighting the need for academia to meet practitioners in the middle to make technical lingo accessible and inclusive. Finally, Karen shares her vision for the future of the industry—a heartfelt call for "peace and harmony" and an end to the vitriol that can separate professionals, reminding us that empathy must extend to our human colleagues just as much as the animals we serve.
Throughout this episode, we discuss:
✅ Karen's "Behaviour Odyssey" and the 1990 encounter that changed her career trajectory
✅ The technical mechanics of Multiple Marker Systems (MMS) vs. traditional clicker training
✅ Why "how" reinforcement is delivered is as important as the reinforcement itself
✅ The concept of treating eating as a behaviour and putting it on cue
✅ Bridging the gap between academic lingo and "in the trenches" training experience
✅ How to use "The Three Cs" (Change, Continue, Create) to address non-sport behaviours
✅ Impulse control vs. stimulus control and their role in behaviour modification
✅ A vision for the future of the industry: Unity, education, and moving past the "us against them" mentality
Whether you're a professional behaviour consultant, a competitive sport enthusiast, or a pet owner navigating reactivity, this episode offers an empowering roadmap for using clarity and kindness to master your training skills.