Drinking From the Toilet: Real dogs, Real training

Latest Episodes:

#181: Demand Barking, Part 1 Jan 18, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we are talking about Demand Barking. This is a three-part series, at least for now. For the first two episodes, I'll be sharing my thoughts and what I've learned about working with dogs that "demand" bark. And then for the 3rd episode, we'll talk to a guest on the subject!

In this episode, we discuss how barking isn't just one behavior, it's actually a lot of different behaviors that we lump into one category, in order to figure out what to do about problematic barking, we need to know what the function of that behavior is, we discuss the emotional underpinnings of the behavior we often label "demand barking", why that matters, and why I keep using air quotes around those words, why I'm no longer so invested in the most common advice, which is to ignore the dog, and we start getting into some other strategies to try out instead, like teaching a range of alternate behaviors that your dog can use to get their needs met - that you actively reinforce - that are not quite as annoying as being screamed at.

For full show notes and transcript, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/181 This podcast is supported by MET Conference 2024: www.metconference.com/

#180: Building Food Drive and Nuanced Reinforcement with Ashlee Osborn Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

In this episode we discuss the importance of getting really, really good at working with reinforcement, how the topic of reinforcement and using it in training is FAR more nuanced than most trainers recognize, food is probably the most convenient reinforcement but it does require specific conditioning and strategies to use effectively in training, Ashlee's game, Clockwork - a fancy application of treat tossing that specifies where and when to toss for clients, and building motivation for food even when dogs are really just not into it.

For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/180 This podcast is supported by Zero to CD: www.zerotocd.com

#179: More Strategies to Reduce Errors Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

In the last episode, we talked about what errorless learning really means. And I shared a few strategies that might make it easier to apply in your training.

Of course, the major benefit to using errorless learning concepts in your training is the outcome of behaviors with a cleaner learning history and less emotional baggage.

Of course, we don't want attempts to avoid errors to mean we also avoid making progress. We still want to get where we're going, just with fewer wrong turns.

In this episode we discuss behavioral momentum, using behavioral momentum to avoid a lack of response to your cues (a common form of error), the importance of starting with low criteria and be in a position to raise that criteria quickly, rather than starting with an error and being forced to lower that criteria (Thanks, Bob Bailey!), examples from starting a heeling session, to working with distance on go outs, to teaching a pony to move forward on cue, using an indirect, "lateral" approach to selecting your criteria to avoid hammering on the most fragile aspect of a behavior you are trying to train, examples include teaching hold with duration (after breaking it), and working around emotionally-loaded challenges with heeling or loose-leash walking, and probably other things I forgot!

For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/179 This podcast is supported by Zero to CD: www.zerotocd.com

#178: How to Apply Errorless Learning Principles in Practical Training Sessions Jul 21, 2023

Show notes

In his 1968 book, The Technology of Teaching, B.F. Skinner wrote:

Errors are not a function of learning or vice-versa nor are they blamed on the learner. Errors are a function of poor analysis of behavior, a poorly designed shaping program, moving too fast from step to step in the program and the lack of the prerequisite behavior necessary for success in the program. - BF Skinner

And that sounds great. It also sounds like a lot of pressure on the dog trainer. Never fear! In this episode, we discuss what errorless learning actually means and how to apply the principles in our real life training sessions.

In this episode, we discuss the original research on errorless learning by Dr. H.S. Terrace form 1963, what is the difference between errorless training and trial-and-error trainings?, why we care about training with errors - what's in it for us dog trainers?, designing our training sessions so that we don't rely on extinction as a training tool, and in fact actively structure our sessions to minimize our dogs' experience of extinction, strategies allow us to train more errorlessly (fading in discriminations - early and often, using back-chaining, even when shaping small behaviors, introducing a new element between the click and the treat, setting your minimum criteria to earn a click to behaviors your dog is doing frequently, and avoid raising criteria to something your dog has never done, or only done once).

For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/178 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

#177: Dr. Clive Wynne Says Some Controversial Things About Dominance Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss what is the ethological definition of dominance?, how does dominance show up in behavior?, how might dominance be relevant in dog training?, differences in dog-dog vs dog-human relationships, and does dominance require aggression or punishment?

For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/177 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

#176: Taking Short Cuts with Stimulus-Stimulus Pairing with Kiki Yablon Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss what is stimulus-stimulus pairing and how it works?, what is a "classically conditioned recall" and why might we consider calling it something different, revisiting the differences and interplay between operant and classical conditioning, the difference between describing a procedure and describing a process, and lots and lots of examples of how to apply this concept in different training applications.

For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/176 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

#175: Over the Top - High Arousal in Dogs May 19, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss what is arousal?, how does arousal show up in our training?, how does arousal affect both people and dogs?, how arousal affects reinforcers, and "eating as behavior" and how to build functional food drive with a dog that won't eat.

For full show notes and transcript, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/175 This podcast is supported by Control Unleashed Over the Top Workshop for High Arousal Dogs: www.cleanrun.com

#174: Families with Dogs and Kids with Jennifer Shryock Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss the most important thing for dog professionals to know about working with families, the importance of understanding developmental milestones, working with and setting expectations, finding ways for children to safely participate in training, and the importance of providing support to families and especially mothers.

For full show notes and transcript, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/174 This podcast is supported by Zero to CD: hannahbranigan.dog/z2cd/

#173: Dealing with Problem Behaviors - Using Alternate Behaviors Mar 02, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss that the first step to dealing with a problem behavior is to identify the function, figuring out a plan to control access if possible and practical, if that reinforcer is not practical to work with, identifying a substitute reinforcer that is as close as possible to the original, choosing your alternate behavior, strategies if you are teaching the alternate behavior from scratch, deciding if you'll be using differential reinforcement, and if you are not planning to use differential reinforcement, planning to setup the environment for (mostly) errorless learning.

For full show notes and transcript, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/173 This podcast is supported by MET Conference 2023: www.metconference.com/

#172: How to Tell That Your Classical Conditioning Plan is Working Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

When we pair two stimuli together as part of a classical conditioning training plan, it can sometimes be hard to determine when the association has been made between the old stimulus and the new stimulus… the "food" and the "bell", to draw from a popular example. In this episode, I answer a question submitted by a patron with some ideas on what to look for to determine if that association is strong enough and it's time to proceed to the next step.

In this episode, we discuss quick review of conditioned emotional response, what happens when you pair a reinforcer with a stimulus in the environment, using this strategy to build a specific, positive CER in a training session, a recap of Lindsay Wood Brown's work on resource guarding, and applying this strategy to stimulus-stimulus pairing with scent.

For full show notes and transcript, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/172 This podcast is supported by MET Conference 2023: www.metconference.com/

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Drinking From the Toilet: Real dogs, Real training

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected