This episode continues on "The Behaviors of..." series which dives into the people side of the animal care field. This episode, which is a continuation of episode 29, Dave O’Connell, Bearizona, discusses “The Behaviors of a Unified and Supportive Team”. The biggest takeaway from the entire episode is that one of the most important behaviors of a supportive team is the ability to talk with another. Through talking with one another we are able to create shared team goals, disagree in a productive and positive manner, give and receive growth minded feedback, and provide effective corrective feedback. Dave discusses that the behaviors of effective feedback include being timely, being specific, and being kind. Dave finishes off the learning by talking about the behaviors of creating supportive and growth-minded team culture. Stay tuned in for Dave’s "Training Tale" about how the Bearizona team continues their learning journey through “Lunch and Learns”. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ and to contact Dave email dave@bearizona.com

For more information on the ABMA’s virtual conference visit this link: ⁠https://www.theabma.org/virtual-conference⁠

To submit an abstract for the ABMA 2026 annual conference visit this link: ⁠https://www.theabma.org/abma-annual-conference

• 4:50 Introduction to Dave O’Connell

• 13:25 Creating shared goals

• 20:50 How to disagree well?

• 25:20 The behaviors of a team with a growth mindset

• 29:30 Giving and receiving constructive, growth-based feedback

• 41:20 Giving effective corrective feedback?

• 47:25 Advice for approaching leadership with feedback and suggestions?

• 55:15 The behaviors of a team with a unified and supportive culture

• 1:03:00 “Training Tales”

This episode Justin Garner, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, provides some great learning on behavior chains and the process of chaining. Justin starts by breaking down the process of chaining while giving practical application examples. The discussion then dives into how a behavior chain works and dissects what it means for each behavior in the chain to serve as both a discriminative stimulus and a conditioned reinforcer. Justin then explains the difference between backward and forward chaining and why it is recommended to utilize backward chaining. The discussion ends with advice on preventing behavior chain breakdown and an explanation on the difference between shaping and chaining. Stay tuned in for Justin’s "Training Tale" about a team and a mob of macropods reaching new heights in training. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠

For more information on the ABMA’s virtual conference visit this link: https://www.theabma.org/virtual-conference

To submit an abstract for the ABMA 2026 annual conference visit this link: https://www.theabma.org/abma-annual-conference

To complete the podcast feedback survey visit this link: ⁠⁠https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/Rspt0Bk/abcpodcast2025⁠⁠

• 1:30 Upcoming ABMA offerings

• 5:35 Definition and practical application of chaining and behavior chains

• 15:30 Backward chaining

• 22:35 Forward chaining

• 26:15 Recommendation to utilize backward chaining

• 31:15 Advice on preventing behavior chain breakdowns

• 33:50 The difference between chaining and shaping

• 38:50 “Training Tales”

This episode wraps up (for now) the two episode arc discussing how changing conditions can change motivation with Wouter Stellaard, Behavior 360 and the Kuzo Group. Before listening to this episode, please take the time to listen to Part 1 of this topic which is episode 68 of the podcast. This episode is a direct continuation of Episode 68 in which Wouter discusses a multitude of ways in which we can change conditions to change motivation without utilizing diet/weight management. Wouter discusses strategies if you have come to “the last stop” and determined that the best decision is using food to change motivation. Topics covered include considerations on safety, non-food reinforcers, using all available resources, timing, specific situations, and the importance of record keeping and observations. The episode ends on a reminder that behavior and learning itself is reinforcing and how we should be adding things, not removing them from animals’ lives and behavioral repitoires. Stay tuned in for Wouter’s inspiring “Training Tale” about training the next generation of animal care givers. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠ and to contact Wouter email wstellaard@behavior360.com or wouters@thekuzogroup.com

For more information and to register for the 2025 ABMA virtual conference visit this link: https://www.theabma.org/virtual-conference

To complete the podcast feedback survey visit this link: ⁠⁠https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/Rspt0Bk/abcpodcast2025⁠⁠

Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

1:40 New ABMA Virtual Conference + Behavior Month Information

3:50 Short recap of Episode 68 - Part 1

10:25 Shifting from Diet/Weight Management to Behavior Management

14:05 Non-Food Reinforcers

17:50 The Last Stop: Using Food to Change Motivation

19:50 Timing of Sessions

21:20 Considerations for Using Food to Change Motivation

24:35 Importance of Record Keeping and Observations

26:15 Considerations About Safety

28:50 Using All the Resources Available to Make the Most Informed Decisions

33:50 Signs that Using Food is Detrimental

39:45 Can the Animal Physically Accomplish the Behavior

41:35 Definition of Depreciation and its Practical Application

44:50 Behavior and Learning are Reinforcing

52:30 “Training Tale”