When we talk about giving animals "control" in training, we stumble into vague territory. Control is a hypothetical construct. It's abstract, unmeasurable, and it shifts the conversation away from behavior and back into feelings and intention. Let's ground ourselves in what we can observe and influence:...
Is fear an action or an emotion? It's a question worth sitting with. Because how we answer it shapes everything about how we respond when a bird displays fear or aggression in training. Emotions as Contingency Descriptors Here's a reframe that might change how you think about this:...
If you've ever found yourself stuck in a training session thinking "why isn't this working?", the answer might not be your mechanics, your timing, or even your reinforcer. It might be that you never clearly defined what you're actually training for. Let's talk about why clarity...
In progressive training, clarity matters. One of the most powerful tools we have to bring that clarity into a session is the marker—also called a bridge. A marker is a stimulus that tells the learner exactly which behavior is being reinforced. Think of it like taking...
A confident ambassador owl isn’t just calm on the glove. They’re responsive, adaptable, and capable of engaging in public programs without signs of chronic stress. But getting there takes more than just “good handling.” It requires an intentional, behavior-first approach—one rooted in ethology, positive reinforcement,...
We're starting a new segment for our weekly newsletters called "Trainers Corner". We will be highlighting key lessons from my consultations. Learning through others' experiences is a powerful way to grow as a trainer or bird owner because it allows us to see different approaches to...
Avian Behavior International held its first ever animal training retreat at the beginning of February, and boy, was it an incredible week! Guests came from all over to hone their skills and learn brand new ones, working with our farm animals (miniature donkeys and mini...