Training Matters

08/30/2026

08/23/2026

I am training the mini horses of Lemon's Hope Sanctuary to take medication cooperatively from a syringe. I am in the early stages of this work. I have had several sessions of building positive associations to my presentation of the syringe, and decided to test applesauce as a yummy thing to offer in early teaching of taking the syringe in their mouth and consuming its contents. Below is the video, which I made to illustrate how different they are and that my training with them will vary in terms of approximations to our goal behavior of taking oral medication through a syringe cooperatively and without restraint.

I missed a couple of opportunities to reinforce Diablo (grey mini) for both approaching and touching the container of applesauce, but I was able to determine that touching the container can be our starting point. He approaches me as an indication that he is in the weird little game I want to play with him. Angel (dark bay mini) was licking applesauce off the syringe at the end of our session. We’ll get there with Diablo, but it will take more, smaller training steps.

08/18/2026

Let's talk "neural pathways." Some want to focus on change in neural pathways (nervous system change, and moving from "dysregulation" to "regulation" are also popular discourse right now, along with anything brain focused). Neuroscience is in.

But what is the evidence for change in neural pathways? After all, you can't observe brain connections in real time as trainers or behavior consultants. What you observe is behavior and how it changes over time.

You can learn about how behavior is likely to change under certain conditions through the science of applied behavior analysis. Then you can observe the change and infer what may or may not be happening inside of an individual that consequential to the behavior change.

Behavior is lawful. Behavior is determined by the interaction of individuals and their environments. Behavior changes the environment for the individuals. Those changes include internal environments, such as brains and nervous systems and emotions. But we have no direct evidence of brain change and other internal processes. We have evidence of behavior change.

Even when you have evidence of brain change, such as that delivered through MRI studies, it is still environmental interactions by the individual that provide the foundation for what is observed in the brain. It's behavior first. Behavior is the substance.

~ Be the scientist your animal needs you to be.

08/17/2026

There are so many great things about this event.

It is said that advanced training is the basics well applied.

From revisiting the basics of training mechanics via PORTL (Portable Operant Research and Teaching Lab) tabletop play with human learners and animal training with multiple other species, we apply the basics.

The presentations extend these basics to places that many trainers and animal caregivers have never thought about or deeply explored.

Among those presentations this year, it might be said that the application of what we understand about designing enriching environments for animals in our care (Rick Hester of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Behavior Works) as well as applying the principles of cooperative care teaching with the little humans rather than telling them what to do and expecting they will do it (Catja B. Pedersen) is applying the basics well and in an advanced way. Applying the science of how animals learn with species other than the ones we work with daily can and does inform the work we do with our own focal species. Catja's presentation was delivered once before to a small group at a luncheon. It deserves a wider audience. Rick's will update his mind-blowing talk at ClickerExpo this year.

At the same time, we explore advanced training concepts such as the talk about how we may best reduce problem behavior and strengthen wanted behavior by taking advantage of other behavioral processes going on when we reinforce behavior (Maia Nahele Owen, Ph.D., Behavior Explorer), and how and when to transition to using naturally occurring reinforcers in your work (Kiki Yablon, Kiki Yablon Dog Training, Behavior Works and Karen Pryor Academy faculty). These are the basics applied really well, too. But they stretch what is commonly understood and taken advantage of by trainers to entirely new places. Maia's talk is a first-time presentation to my knowledge. Kiki's has had a smaller audience than some of her other presentations, such as the one she delivered here last year on teaching the elements of modern loose leash walking.

All talks and the panel discussion promise to be thought-provoking and they are delivered by some of the best thinkers and trainers in the animal training business. Other talks explore a novel take on separation anxiety training (Morgan Katz, MSPCA-Angell), and what recent research tells us about the use of calming caps and approaches to crate training (Mindy Waite,Ph.D., Carroll University Dog Training Program).

If you can attend in person, you will meet many of the presenters and panelists at this small event. Can't come in person? You can still hear the talks remotely. Can't listen that weekend? You will receive recordings.

Join us any way you can. Link in the comments.

08/16/2026

As the seasons change, so do the smells. Apparently the orchard is amazing.

08/15/2026

It's beginning to feel like fall in southern Vermont and Training Matters is gearing up for our third annual Animal Trainers' Retreat: Training With Love + Science this month. This mini conference by and for trainers who base their practice in applied behavior analysis offers a lot in a small package. It brings together and updates some of the best talks from the recent past given at diverse organizations, as well as provides talks that are new to the training community.

"This will be amazing," says Eileen Anderson of eileenanddogs.com. "Their last retreat (I participated remotely) blew my socks off. Check out the presenters!"

Speakers include:

* Rick Hester of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Behavior Works

* Kiki Yablon of Kiki Yablon Dog Training, Karen Pryor Academy and Behavior Works

* Maia Nahele Owen of Behavior Explorer

* Mindy Waite, Ph.D., of Carroll University Dog Training Program

* Catja B Pedersen

* Morgan Katz of MSPCA-Angell

Other participants include Laura Monaco Torelli of Animal Behavior Training Concepts; Debbie Jacobs of Fearful Dogs and author of A Guide to Living With and Training a Fearful Dog; Annie Grossman, author of How to Train Your Dog With Love + Science; Keira Moore, Ph.D. of Pet Project Dog Training; and Dianne Keck of NeuroDog Training LLC.

Topics include:

* Applied behavior analysis as providing an overarching framework to positive reinforcement-based teaching and training; new developments in the field

* A free operant approach to behavioral enrichment

* Research on a crate training protocol

* Social validity of calming caps

* When and how to use naturally occurring reinforcers

* A novel approach to separation anxiety

* Behavior reduction through use of different reinforcement strategies

* Applying cooperative care principles in teaching young children

In-person attendees enjoy experiential learning playing PORTL (Portable Operant Research and Teaching Lab) and training animals of Training Matters' Lemon's Hope Sanctuary. Panel discussion and presentations are available via live stream and recording.

Discounts are available for shelter and rescue staff and volunteers, as well as students. Ceus are available through CCPDT, IAABC, KPA and PPG.

Link for more information and to register below.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/animal-trainers-retreat-training-with-love-science-tickets-1988943082300?aff=oddtdtcreator

A weekend of collaboration, education and relaxation centering on animal training, welfare and teaching based in applied behavior analysis.

08/15/2026

Very much enjoyed listening to Eileen Anderson of Eileenanddogs tell her story and talk about her expertise in music and sound.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ATJgBFMeS/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/14/2026

My Ferdinand got to play with this little gremlin today. Gremlin, named Elsa, is here for basic training and may be the nicest little frenchie I’ve worked with. Adorbs.