Drinking From the Toilet: Real dogs, Real training

In this episode, we discuss what dog trainers need to know about memory, the fun mashup between neuroscience and behavior, how positive associations spread through neural networks, and wanting vs. liking. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/141 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss what reinforcers are in play when training and working with hunting dogs, working with behaviors when the reinforcers might be hiding out in a bush where you can't control them, and strategies for breaking down critical distractions for gun dog training. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/140 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss what is Constructional Aggression Treatment, what makes it constructional, how this approach is different from other aggression treatment protocols, how CAT deals with the function of aggressive behavior, some common misconceptions trainers may have about CAT, changing emotional behaviors by changing contingencies, how CAT makes use of clicker training principles, and making ethical choices in training, particularly in the use of negative reinforcement. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/139 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss the process of certifying professional dog trainers, as the CCPDT sees it, the advantages of certification, where the CCPDT stands on regulation in the training industry, and why and what they are doing about it. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/138 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss what is the value of having someone watch your training session, what is the value of watching someone else's training session, when watching a training session, what do you look for?, the difference in skills between doing a thing and talking about a thing, the challenge of being neutral when observing, improving your creativity as a trainer, and how to handle BEING watched and receiving feedback. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/137 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss bad training sessions can happen for a lot of reasons, be kind to yourself (beating yourself up won't help you do better training in the future), fault is the wrong thing to focus on (you are responsible for the training session, yes, but there is a difference between fault and responsibility), do you know what went wrong?, focus on principles and ABCs to avoid getting trapped in stories or labels, don't repeat the same session; change something!, phone a friend and get an objective perspective, stop digging, essentialize - what are you really focusing on in this session?, start small - you may not need to totally ditch your whole training strategy, get a new starting point that guarantees success, look at reinforcement strategy first; did it work?, rehearse the reinforcement strategy first without ANY behavior, it is always better to start with low criteria and be in a position to raise them quickly, rather than start with a failure and be forced to lower criteria, my rule of thumb is to restart at half of whatever I *think* I can definitely get, and quit (or take a break) at half the time you think you could do. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/136 This podcast is supported by Zero to CD: hannahbranigan.dog/z2cd/

In this episode, we discuss the difference between normal awareness and hypervigilance, how anxious dogs perceive their environment, how to play the Look at That game (LAT), the way environmental cues can transfer and how we can use that to our advantage, and Leslie's new twist on the original LAT game, which she calls LATTE. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/135 This podcast is supported by Behind the Scenes & Patreon: hannahbranigan.dog/backstage-pass www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss how to signal the end of a training session, why it matters, how you end a training session matters as much as how you begin one, preventing practicing good behavior without reinforcement, reducing frustration by having clear cues for when reinforcement is available and when it isn't, what to do in the last moments leading up to the end of a session, and strategies for keeping the end of a session positive without undermining your training. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/134 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss what we mean when we say "data," the whole point of recording any data at all, quantitative vs. qualitative, why any data is better than no data, dfferent kinds of information you might want to record, and ideas to include recording data in your routine without interrupting the flow of your training session. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/133 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss how humans tend to be visually oriented, animals might respond more significantly to other senses, what variables might influence how an animal reacts to a prop or target, how to deconstruct what sensory elements might be associated with a response, and the importance of staying curious and questioning our "stories" whether they are right or not! **Note: I messed up in the intro. Carrie co-founded Reptelligence with Alex Konold. Peter joined in 2018. Sorry! For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/132 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss what is a LIMA being?, how did this project evolve?, why is it so hard to apply positive reinforcement principles to ourselves and other people?, and strategies for changing how your own behavior is reinforced. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/131 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss what "enrichment" is and why we should care, whether enrichment is part of training or whether training is part of enrichment, what we mean when we say "meeting the animal's needs," whether we can just get a checklist of things to do, why behavioral diversity matters, the importance of measuring outcome, categories of enrichment, and the importance of choice and agency. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/130 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss how we can apply dog training principles to interacting with humans, why people might think using R+ on people might be manipulative, breaking down skills for human learners just like we do for dogs, don't blow a reinforcement opportunity by using punishment, just because it took so long to get the behavior, and finding empathy for yourself and your human subjects. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/129 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss what your options are when starting from scratch trying to shape behavior, how you can get stuck when trying to shape behavior and your animal isn't offering much, considerations when making changes to the environment to get behavior started, changing the environment to stimulate new behavior, thinking about reinforcement beyond food, how to improve your observational skills to be a better trainer and not die of boredom in the process, and increasing variability and building a larger behavioral repertoire. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/128 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss when to change a cue, just because a cue doesn't seem to be working does not mean it's the cue's fault, when it's a training or fluency issue, when the cue itself is actually broken, when it's too close to an existing cue, whether your cue is poisoned, and two options for changing cues if you need to. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/127 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss three possible treat categories - "snacks", enrichment/management, and treats for training, some basic principles for treats selection, how many treats it's ok to give a dog, how snacks matter, but they are different than training treats, what qualities make treats more or less effective for training, why mechanics, timing and delivery, matter more than the actual treat itself, and special cases of training with treats - small dogs and dogs with food allergies. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/126 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss who makes the decision - the vet, the trainer, or the pet owner; how behavioral euthanasia is an "active choice" rather than a default decision - there is no formula, and this isn't something that someone has to do because of a specific behavior pattern or problem, but rather an option that may be actively chosen due to safety or quality of life concerns that aren't able to be mitigated; how professionals can support and guide pet owners through the process; the issues of guilt and shame associated with deciding to euthanize an otherwise healthy dog; and the importance of self-care and good boundaries. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/125 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss who makes the decision - the vet, the trainer, or the pet owner; how behavioral euthanasia is an "active choice" rather than a default decision - there is no formula, and this isn't something that someone has to do because of a specific behavior pattern or problem, but rather an option that may be actively chosen due to safety or quality of life concerns that aren't able to be mitigated; how professionals can support and guide pet owners through the process; the issues of guilt and shame associated with deciding to euthanize an otherwise healthy dog; and the importance of self-care and good boundaries. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/125 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss why training eye contact is so fulfilling for humans, the other benefits of training eye contact as a behavior, whether dogs hate making eye contact, the drawbacks to training eye contact, how you can make sure your dog's behavior is "voluntary," situations where eye contact might be helpful, and how you can avoid training problems associated with too much eye contact training. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/124 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss what is so cool about herding, what kinds of dogs can do herding, what is herding instinct, are there things we can train at home to prepare for herding, and what kinds of reinforcers are relevant in herding. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/123 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss the challenges of training behaviors that require another person, using remote reinforcement strategies to give you a way to practice, a little zen bowl, the advantages of role-playing a judge, groomer, or vet with your own dog as an initial shaping step, and preventing a plateau by incorporating the Different Every Day game into these sessions. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/122 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss the challenges of training behaviors that require another person, using remote reinforcement strategies to give you a way to practice, a little zen bowl, the advantages of role-playing a judge, groomer, or vet with your own dog as an initial shaping step, and preventing a plateau by incorporating the Different Every Day game into these sessions. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/122 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode we discuss what makes training alone so hard, obstacles and challenges, what is GOOD about training by yourself (it's not all doom and gloom!), some ideas for motivating yourself, tracking progress and staying on track. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/121 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss what makes living with a reactive dog hard in addition to the top three skills that make life easier. While we're at it, we discuss how the pandemic brought about surprising changes, too! For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/120 This podcast is supported by Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we talk about training stations and the multitude of ways to get geeky about laying down on a mat! For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/119 This podcast is supported by Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss why diversity matters, what we can do to promote inclusion in the industry, and how Ken's personal experience influences his thinking. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/118 This podcast is supported by Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we are geeking out with Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz on shaping, Conditioned Emotional Responses, and more. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/117 This podcast is supported by Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss what a prompt and lure are, why you would want to fade a prompt (or not), options for techniques, and the number one thing to avoid. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/116 Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss getting started in dog training, small business ownership, the importance of role models, code-switching, why representation matters, implicit bias and human behavior, and easy actions you can take right now to help support BIPOC in the training industry. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/115 Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss how behaviors accidentally get chained together. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/114 Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss how context cues affect training, how cue hierarchies function, how to set up a training session to teach cue discrimination, how errorless learning plays a role, what default behaviors are and how to choose them. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/113 Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss how context cues affect training, how cue hierarchies function, how to set up a training session to teach cue discrimination, how errorless learning plays a role, what default behaviors are and how to choose them. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/112 Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss what trainers mean when they say "self-reinforcing," whether a behavior can really reinforce itself, the kinds of behaviors that fall into the self-reinforcing category, what might be actually reinforcing those behaviors, and your training options to deal with the self-reinforcing problem behaviors. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/111 Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss how cue transfers work, the importance of the order of events (it must always be NEW cue, then OLD cue!), examples of transferring a hand signal to a verbal cue, transferring cues in real life, how cues can transfer when you don't mean for them to, how to un-transfer a cue you didn't want. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/110 Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss the common "staircase" metaphor as applied to shaping plans, a new non-linear approach to thinking about shaping, breaking down a goal behavior into components, how the wrong starting point or intermediate step can make getting to your goal behavior harder (even if it looks closer), thinking in terms of actions rather than outcomes, and lots of examples with dogs, horses, and people! For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/109 This podcast is supported by Zero to CD: hannahbranigan.dog/z2cd/

In this episode, we discuss the challenge of socializing a puppy while also social distancing, creative ideas to build your puppy's resilience, options to make the most of what you CAN do, how to strategize your puppy's training to prevent problems in the future, that not everything is ruined, and that there is still hope your puppy will be behaviorally normal, even after all this. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/108 Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss how stressed out I've been lately, how we might attempt to operationalize stress, what stress means in our dogs and what that might look like, steps we can take in training to reduce the effect of stress, and training for relaxed and confident behavior. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/107 Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss emotions in animals (and people), emotions vs emotional responses, counter conditioning, Conditioned Emotional Response (CER), and the emotional lives of penguins. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/106 Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode we discuss the challenges of canine adolescence, setting reasonable expectations for teenage dogs, taking the long view with our training, and where we are (or should be) focusing our efforts. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/105 Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss the difference between anxiety and fear, how medical models apply, treatment/training plan modifications and when it's appropriate to consult a vet behaviorist. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/104 Support the show on Patreon! www.patreon.com/DFTT

In this episode, we discuss dog emotions (and people emotions) with Kiki Yablon - including why a functional description is important, how to talk about pet emotions with clients and how to incorporate them into your training. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/103 This podcast is supported by the official merchandise of Drinking from the Toilet via Bonfire: www.hannahbranigan.dog/merch

On this episode, we chat with Lucy Newton about canine nosework, "alerts", advantages/disadvantages of various kinds of alerts and how - at the end of the day - it's all just really good training. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/102 This podcast is supported by the official merchandise of Drinking from the Toilet via Bonfire: www.hannahbranigan.dog/merch

In this episode, Julie Norman Jenkins and I talk about what flyabll is all about and what foundation skills are important to get started. Julie is a multi-sport dog trainer and owner of Quicksilver Canine in Julian, NC. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/101 This podcast is supported by the official merchandise of Drinking from the Toilet via Bonfire: https://www.bonfire.com/store/drinking-from-the-toilet/

In this episode, we discuss what the Dunning-Kruger Effect means and how this phenomenon plays out in the dog training world. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/100 This podcast is supported by the official merchandise of Drinking from the Toilet via Bonfire: www.bonfire.com/store/drinking-from-the-toilet/

In this episode, I'm talking about confidence. How to build it, operationalize it, and what it means in terms of practical training plans. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/99 This podcast is supported by Zero to CD: https://hannahbranigan.dog/z2cd/

In this episode, I sit down with Lori Stevens (CPDT-KA, SAMP, CCFT, CPBC) to discuss considerations for training older dogs. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/98 This podcast is supported by Zero to CD: https://hannahbranigan.dog/z2cd/

In this episode, we're discussing errorless learning — everything from the history behind it to how to apply it in real life. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/97 This podcast is supported by Zero to CD: https://hannahbranigan.dog/z2cd/

In this episode, I'm talking about the important connection between your dog's motivation in a training session and your own training mechanics. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/96 This podcast is supported by Awesome Obedience: A Positive Training Plan for Competition Success. Learn more here: shop.clickertraining.com/products/awe…me-obedience

In this episode, Norwegian dog trainer Morten Egtvedt joins me for an in-depth discussion on the practical and nerdy aspects of behavior chains in dog training. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/95 This podcast is supported by Awesome Obedience: A Positive Training Plan for Competition Success. Learn more here: shop.clickertraining.com/products/awe…me-obedience

In this episode, we are doing a sort of grab bag Q&A. You asked the questions, and I did my best to answer them. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/94 This podcast is supported by Life Skills Self-Study Course www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/…urses/4364