#atfgoats

[barbaraheidenreich]

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Positive reinforcement is not always “good” and negative reinforcement isn’t always “bad.” What? How can that be? Here are some common examples to which you might be able to relate. How many people are “addicted” to their phones? If you get a chance to watch The Social Dilemma on Netflix. You will get a better understanding of how positive reinforcement is used to control your behavior to encourage you to engage with your phone over and over and over again. If you think it has not influenced your behavior, try living without looking at your phone for a week, or even a day. The movie points out how this behavior has become so addicting and influential it is seriously affecting how a generation views it is self-worth. A common example of negative reinforcement is the ding your car makes when you have not put on your seat belt or left a door open. It requires you to do a behavior in order to cause the sound to stop. But negative reinforcement can be even less bothersome. Sometimes animals are warm and to escape the heat, they go to the shade, a cooled rock, or maybe they go for a swim! I filmed this sulcata tortoise taking a swim in Valencia, Spain last year. I am not sure if he was too hot, but if he was, I am sure he was grateful for the feedback and the option to do the behavior at the slightest hint of being a little too warm. It sure beats overheating in the sun. So, what does this have to do with animal training? Why everything of course!! Because at the Global Online Animal Training Summit we plan to take deep dives into topics just like these and how it relates to animal behavior. We will be having a Master Mind Session in which we will have a panel of experts talking about hot topics in the industry. Do you really understand the words choice and control? How about coercion? Is there morality to the four quadrants? There is a lot to discuss! Register at www.ATFGOATS.com #sulcatatortoise #tortoiseswimming #sulcatatortoiseswimming #atfgoats #goats #animaltrainingconference #animaltrainingsummit #globalonlineanimaltrainingsummit #reptilesswimming https://www.instagram.com/p/CE-O1Jdlr9n/?igshid=10ecrwddlywx8

[barbaraheidenreich]

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A question I am frequently asked is “Why didn’t you bridge?” Which may be more accurately interpreted as why didn’t I use a clicker, a whistle or say a word such as “good”? In reality there is a bridging stimulus, however it is not what people traditionally identify as that signal. The bridging stimulus is a tool for communication that is widely misunderstood. It is often singled out and separated as a specific entity that a trainer must identify and utilize in order to be successful. This presentation will explore what animals may be using as information that indicates reinforcers are forthcoming. It will also explain situations in which a bridging stimulus can be beneficial, unnecessary and at times detrimental to the training process. You will also discover appropriate as well as some creative applications of the bridging stimulus to improve training. My presentation for the Global Online Animal Training Summit will also clarify why some concepts described as intermediate bridges, terminal bridges and keep going signals are not necessary. Numerous video presentations will help you gain a deeper understanding of the bridging stimulus. Just FYI the event page says we have over 630 people interested in attending! We definitely do not have 600 spots available. Be sure to reserve your space ASAP. Visit www.ATFGOATS.com to register. Only 54 days until GOATS! #animaltrainingconference #onlineanimaltraining #atfgoats #goats #globalonlineanimaltrainingsummit #rattraining #ratagility https://www.instagram.com/p/CEkdylDlJsS/?igshid=1l87y9k4p42e4

[barbaraheidenreich]

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It is hard to see, but the bowl in this clip acts as a target and food is delivered after the armadillo enters the stretcher. Who says just because you can pick up an animal, you should? This great example of voluntary participation in transportation comes from Frank Buck Zoo. A lot of small mammals seem to show a preference for having their feet on a solid surface. When you think about it, this is often their means of escape. Allowing four feet to remain on a stable surface helps keep animals presenting calm and relaxed body language, something we love to see in our animal ambassadors. Global Online Animal Training Summit sponsor, Animal Care Software has just rolled out a new feature that gives facilities the power to track and measure animal welfare via their digital platform. Frank Buck Zoo uses Animal Care Software and you can too! Registrants for the Live GOATS event get a special offer from Animal Care Software. Last time I checked we had 611 responses from people interested or going. We recommend reserving your spot soon! Less than 60 days away. Register at www.ATFGOATS.com #atfgoats #goats #globalanimaltrainingsummit #armadillotraining #animalcaresoftware #frankbuckzoo #animaltrainingconference #animalambassadors #educationanimals https://www.instagram.com/p/CEXPlF4Fw2T/?igshid=kbwgjadot09u

[barbaraheidenreich]

Whaaaaaat?!!! We are pleasantly surprised. Our Facebook event page says 486 of you want to go to the Global Online Animal Training Summit. Better register soon to secure your spot! www.ATFGOATS.com #barkingowl #owl #australianowl #atfgoats #globalanimaltrainingsummit #virtualanimaltrainingconference #goats #animaltrainingfundamentals #barbaraheidenreich https://www.instagram.com/p/CD43BI8FS08/?igshid=s14wl35yfcmv

[barbaraheidenreich]

Meet one of our Global Online Animal Training Summit (GOATS) Presenters: Gerry Creighton has worked in Dublin Zoo since 1983, starting as a trainee keeper, before becoming a full time zoo keeper in 1986. He subsequently worked as Team Leader responsible for large apes, carnivores and elephants for nearly ten years before becoming Zoo Operations Manager for animals and grounds in 2009. Gerry also holds an advisory role acting as elephant consultant for many international zoos, within Europe, Asia and North America. Gerry’s career has spanned several decades of exciting development, during which time Dublin Zoo has transformed from its Victorian beginnings in 1831 into a modern, vital and progressive European centre for conservation, education and animal husbandry. He will be presenting on "Giant Footsteps: The Future of the Asian Elephants" Learn more and secure your spot at www.ATFGOATS.com. Link is also in bio @barbara_heidenreich #goats #atfgoats #dublinzoo #asianelephantconservation #asianelephant #elephantwelfare #elephantzookeeping https://www.instagram.com/p/CDgwfK-FDw0/?igshid=1q9asz716adhe

[barbaraheidenreich]

I have been a little quiet lately. Here is why. I have been busy organizing an event for you :) I happy to announce GOATS! Oct 25 and 26th. Visit www.ATFGOATS.com to learn more! GOATS is a 2 day virtual event catered towards professionals and aspiring professionals who work with exotic animals in managed care. This event is primarily focused on providing attendees with information designed to enhance practical application skills and knowledge. There is also a special emphasis on providing evidence based information. Presenters have been carefully chosen for their quality content and engaging presentation skills. This event also features live training demonstrations from around the world. Participants also have the opportunity to partake in Mastermind Sessions in which we discuss hot topics in the animal training field. There are several affordable registrations options. However live attendance is limited! We do encourage securing your spot early to ensure the opportunity to engage in the live training demonstrations, live Q & A with our presenters, and our Mastermind Sessions. Please feel free to share with others who share these interests. I am so excited to bring you GOATS!!!! #atfgoats #goats #virtualanimaltraining #animaltrainingconference #zooanimaltrainingconference #animaltrainingsummit #globalonlineanimaltrainingsummit #exoticanimaltraining #barbaraheidenreich #animaltrainingfundamentals #zooanimaltraining https://www.instagram.com/p/CDW5uyPFOG7/?igshid=1ba3kgnij8ity