Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Robin Reiners—a lifelong animal enthusiast and domestic dog trainer based in Nelson, New Zealand—for a rich conversation about the evolution of dog training, the journey of positive reinforcement, and the joys of raising a puppy later in life. Raised in a dog show family in the early 1970s, Robin shares her early roots handling Great Danes and running a local pet-sitting business before discovering behavior-based training through her own reactive dogs. That pivotal shift led her to transition from a corporate tax office career into professional dog walking and training. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Robin stepped into a dream role as a Puppy Trainer at Guide Dogs of the Desert, where she served as a vital catalyst for shifting the school's culture away from prong collars and toward positive reinforcement and science-based care. After navigating four years in New Zealand without a dog following the loss of her beloved Gunny, Robin welcomed Val, a spirited smooth fox terrier puppy. She opens up candidly about the trials and triumphs of raising a terrier pup, training her partner Alex (who is experiencing dog ownership for the very first time), and viewing every challenging puppy behavior through the lens of data and behavioral science. Together, Shelley and Robin explore: ✅ The Evolution of a Trainer: How a background in traditional dog shows gave way to a lifelong commitment to force-free, science-based behavior support. ✅ Shifting Culture at Scale: The challenges and triumphs of helping an accredited guide dog school transition away from aversive tools to positive reinforcement. ✅ Training the First-Time Owner: Meeting family members where they are and using creative, tech-minded analogies to help a first-time dog owner succeed. ✅ Leveraging Novelty: Turning everyday public outings into positive training opportunities by enlisting enthusiastic strangers to help a puppy learn polite greetings. ✅ Behavior as Data: How embracing Susan Friedman's framework helps transform stressful puppy moments into manageable pieces of information. ✅ The Power of Community: Why active engagement in the ATA community has been an essential pillar throughout her ongoing training journey. This episode is a celebration of resilience, humor, and the emotional rewards of learning to do better once we know better. Robin's story is a reminder that when we treat behavior as data and prioritize connection over control, we open the door to a life full of mutual joy.

In this engaging episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Jaana Aadamsoo — a lifelong dog nerd whose journey has taken her from animal control and assistance dog training to breeding, showing, and training American Staffordshire Terriers. Jaana is currently focused on fitness coaching and training for dogs, showing in conformation, raising puppies, consulting, and occasionally training and handling dogs bred under the Pure Power prefix. Jaana shares the story of her lifelong fascination with animals and training, from reading books about dog breeds, anatomy, and training as a child to working with a wide variety of dogs and eventually discovering clicker training. She reflects on her experiences with old-school and balanced IGP-style training, attending KPA Dog Trainer Professional in 2021, and the impact of finding approaches based on applied behaviour analysis and positive reinforcement. A major focus of the conversation is Jaana's work with Olive, an American Staffordshire Terrier who developed significant reactivity and difficulty regulating her arousal in show environments. Rather than trying to simply train Olive out of the behaviour, Jaana took a broader approach, exploring enrichment, exercise, sleep, stress, and other factors that could support Olive's overall wellbeing. She shares how weight pulling became an important part of that process and how these changes ultimately helped Olive become more comfortable and able to regulate herself in challenging environments. Jaana also discusses her work with a dog who developed intense resource guarding, sharing how she approached the situation by building trust, working below threshold, combining positive and negative reinforcement, and avoiding unnecessary conflict. Her story highlights the importance of looking beyond the immediate behaviour and considering what the animal needs to feel safe and function well. Together, Shelly and Jaana explore: ✅ Jaana's lifelong fascination with dogs, training, breeding, and animal behaviour ✅ Her journey from old-school and balanced training approaches towards applied behaviour analysis and positive reinforcement ✅ What Jaana loves about American Staffordshire Terriers, including their optimism, energy, creativity, and sense of humour ✅ The importance of doing things scared and stepping outside your comfort zone ✅ Supporting dogs with reactivity by looking beyond the immediate behaviour and considering their overall emotional state and welfare ✅ Using enrichment, exercise, sleep, and other factors to help dogs develop better regulation and coping skills ✅ How weight pulling became an important part of Olive's enrichment and wellbeing ✅ Recognising when management and positive interrupters are useful, while also addressing the underlying factors contributing to behaviour ✅ A detailed resource guarding case and the process of gradually building trust around valuable resources ✅ Working below threshold and using distance, positive reinforcement, and carefully chosen resources to create successful learning opportunities ✅ Why suppressing behaviour is not necessarily the same as helping an animal feel better ✅ The importance of giving animals access to social and other welfare-enhancing opportunities ✅ Learning from other trainers, researchers, and educators by "trampling on the shoulders of giants" ✅ How the Animal Training Academy community provides Jaana with a safe and thought-provoking space to learn, question, and explore new ideas This episode is a celebration of curiosity, learning, and the willingness to rethink how we approach challenging behaviour. Jaana's experiences offer a thoughtful reminder that sometimes the most effective way to address a behaviour is to step back, look at the bigger picture, and focus on helping the animal feel better rather than simply trying to change what they are doing. Links https://purepowerkennel.com

In this inspiring episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Molly Feldman — Senior Bear Team Manager at the Chengdu Bear Rescue Center and board member of the Animal Behavior and Management Alliance (ABMA) — for a conversation about rehabilitating rescued bears, advanced cooperative care, and the power of listening to animal body language. With nearly two decades of experience in animal husbandry, Molly shares her decade-long journey with Animals Asia, overseeing the mental well-being and management of 81 bears (mostly Asiatic black bears alongside two Tibetan brown bears). She reflects on the complex social lives of bears, how they form dynamic and seasonal relationships, and how her team successfully utilizes seasonal enrichment and comprehensive cooperative care—ranging from voluntary blood draws and ultrasounds to conscious suture removals. Molly also opens up about her passion for improving dog welfare in her rural local community through fencing projects and dog-walking clubs, as well as her recent foray into cognitive research with bears via match-to-sample training challenges. Together, Shelly and Molly explore: ✅ How transitioning to seasonal, behavior-based enrichment matches the natural life cycles and needs of Asiatic black bears  ✅ The intricate social dynamics of bears in sanctuary groups, including seasonal friendships and fascinating case studies like Shanty and Picklenickle ✅ Building a comprehensive cooperative care program from the ground up, allowing bears to voluntarily participate in complex medical procedures ✅ The crucial importance of observing subtle body language cues—such as micro-exhalations and posture changes—to determine when a bear is stressed or frustrated ✅ Redesigning transport cage loading protocols by eliminating luring, honoring choice, and using distance as a negative reinforcer to build trust with fearful bears ✅ Community engagement efforts to improve the lives of chained and confined dogs in rural China ✅ The value of utilizing the Animal Training Academy community and forums to troubleshoot training plateaus and cognitive tasks This episode is a celebration of empathy, science-based husbandry, and the dedication required to help traumatized animals thrive. Molly's story is a powerful reminder that true animal welfare begins when we honor choice, listen closely to subtle communications, and ensure our animals feel completely in control of their lives. Links www.linkedin.com/in/molly-feldman [email protected]

In this inspiring episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Debbie Sykes — veterinary technician, instructor for the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, and speaker chair for the Clinical Animal Behavior Conference — for a rich conversation about wildlife rehabilitation, animal welfare, and the power of shifting our perspective to see care through the animal's eyes. With an extensive background spanning two decades in wildlife rehabilitation, Debbie shares her journey from stumbling into the field in Southern California to tackling the heartbreaking realities of high mortality rates and preventable injuries in rescue centers. She reflects on the pivotal mentors who shaped her path, the importance of moving beyond "checking boxes" to truly meet animal needs, and why she transitioned from simply treating patients to focusing on upstream prevention through community education and coexistence. Debbie also opens up about her transition into teaching future veterinarians, her passion for science communication through simple calls to action (CTAs), and her recent adventures in cooperative care—including training her bearded dragon, Triss, for dental care with the help of the ATA community. Together, Shelly and Debbie explore: How learning to see care from the animal's perspective completely transformed wildlife rehabilitation practices The reality of compassion fatigue in rescue work and why shifting focus upstream to prevent injuries is crucial The power of simple, actionable conservation calls to action Smart antecedent arrangements and protocol design to help volunteers safely and successfully care for complex species like herons The vital role of community support, mentorship, and outside perspectives when hitting a training plateau Collaborative training wins, including teaching cooperative care for toothbrushing and oral medications with a bearded dragon named Triss This episode is a celebration of empathy, science-based care, and the steady work of helping both wildlife and humans thrive together. Debbie's story is a powerful reminder that whether we are working with wild patients or companion animals, slowing down to ask what the learner is experiencing allows us to improve welfare and make better decisions every single day. Links [email protected] 

In this episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Jimmy Maxwell—founder of Leap Canine Coaching—to explore the powerful intersection of human behavior, empathy, and science-based dog training. Jimmy shares his unexpected journey into the industry, which began not with dogs, but through years of youth ministry. He offers an honest account of growing up with a "traditional" view of dog training and the pivotal, eye-opening experience with his own chocolate Lab, Lambeau, that shifted his perspective toward reinforcement-based methods. Jimmy delves into his transition from Search and Rescue (SAR) to becoming a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, and how he now approaches behavior modification by prioritizing the human-canine bond above all else. Beyond the technical side of training, Jimmy opens up about the often-unspoken challenges trainers face, including compassion fatigue, the emotional weight of behavioral euthanasia, and the necessity of finding safe communities for support. He also shares his unique philosophy on building rapport with clients, emphasizing the importance of meeting people where they are—using his own ministry background and observation skills to translate complex behavior concepts into relatable, human-centered language. Together, Shelly and Jimmy explore: How early life experiences, both good and bad, shape our professional behavior philosophies. The "double-edged sword" of being an empathetic trainer and how to maintain healthy professional boundaries. Why the "people side" of dog training is often the most critical component of behavior change. Practical strategies for connecting with clients who may hold different views on training. The essential role of vulnerability and seeking support to avoid burnout in the industry. This episode is a candid exploration of what it means to be a "whole" trainer—one who cares deeply for the animals while also fostering real, compassionate connections with the people on the other end of the leash. Links https://www.leapcanine.com/ [email protected]

In this fascinating episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Alamelu Sankaranarayanan—a KPA-certified training partner based in the San Francisco Bay Area—for a deep dive into the intersection of technology, science, and the evolving dialogue between humans and animals. Alamelu shares her remarkable journey from pursuing a PhD in computer engineering and designing microchips to finding her "true north" in the world of positive reinforcement animal training. Alamelu reflects on her roots in India, where the cultural message to stay away from street dogs eventually gave way to a profound curiosity and a secret relationship with the neighborhood packs. She discusses how these early experiences, combined with a "remarkable chain of lucky encounters," led her to the Karen Pryor Academy and Dr. Susan Friedman's Living and Learning with Animals course—experiences that helped her articulate her ethics and lead with clarity and kindness. The conversation also explores Alamelu's unique ability to marry her tech background with her passion for dogs, including her development of the Canine Rally app for competitors and her current labor of love, Woof School. Alamelu candidly shares a powerful learning moment from her certification process involving a complex 10-behavior chain with her Golden Retriever, Monty, and how a "failed" assessment became a masterclass in understanding hidden cues and behavioral repair. Together, Shelly and Alamelu explore: ✅ From Microchips to Mutts: How a career in tech informed a systematic and analytical approach to animal behavior. ✅ The Internal Compass: The life-changing experience of finding community and philosophy at Clicker Expo. ✅ Everything is on Cue: A deep dive into the idea that even "wrong" behaviors are often responses to cues we aren't aware we're giving. ✅ The Chicken Camp Comeback: How working with a new species helped break a spell of dejection and rediscovered the joy of being a learner. ✅ Husbandry and Choice: Moving from "no-choice" contingencies to honoring "yes" and "no" buttons for procedures like nail dremeling. ✅ Digital Ripples: The story behind the Canine Rally app and using technology to make dog sports more accessible. ✅ The Dialogue of Training: Why training is a constant dance of communication where the animal is cueing the handler just as much as the handler cues the animal. This episode is a celebration of the "discovery path" and the humility required to stay a student of behavior. Alamelu's story is a beautiful reminder that when we treat training as a dialogue rather than a monologue, we don't just achieve fluency—we build a partnership rooted in trust, clarity, and mutual respect. Links [email protected]

In this enlightening episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Simone Tuten—an animal behavior consultant and trainer based in Western Australia—for a deep conversation about the evolution of empathy, the science of behavior, and the profound impact of giving animals a voice . Simone works with both dogs and horses, bringing a unique multi-species perspective grounded in the firm belief that animals are sentient individuals who deserve to feel safe and understood . Simone shares her journey from a "shy child" who once comforted a distressed kitten at a school fair to a professional behaviorist who has navigated the transition from traditional, pressure-based methods to compassionate, force-free training . With a background in conservation biology and a previous career as a "weed scientist," Simone's path to full-time animal behavior was sparked by a spontaneous decision to join a dog training course that eventually changed her life . The conversation explores the "human side" of the training equation, with Simone reflecting on the patience and empathy required for both animals and their owners to make a true mindset shift. She candidly discusses her own experience of taking over a year to fully "click" with positive reinforcement for complex behavior challenges—a realization that fuels her compassionate approach to mentoring fellow trainers and supporting families. Together, Shelly and Simone explore: ✅ The Multi-Species Lens: Bridging the gap between canine and equine behavior through a shared philosophy of choice . ✅ The Year-Long Shift: Why it takes time to rewrite our own learning history and fully embrace force-free behavior modification . ✅ From Social Science to Science: How her background in conservation and government research informs her analytical approach to behavior . ✅ Consent in Practice: Helping owners read and respond to subtle body language cues to build lasting trust . ✅ Collaborative Care: The importance of working alongside veterinarians and specialists for holistic animal welfare . ✅ The Power of Mentorship: Focusing on the practical application of theory to help new trainers manage real-world client expectations . This episode is a celebration of the quiet, steady work of building trust across species. Simone's story is a powerful reminder that when we prioritize the animal's right to a "say" in their own lives, we don't just solve behavior problems—we create a partnership built on mutual respect . Links https://simonetuten.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/SimoneTutenDogAndHorseBehaviourConsultant

Podcast Synopsis In this insightful episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Anna Gigliotti-Skret—a behavior-focused dog trainer based in Fremantle, Western Australia—for a deep dive into the intersection of human disability services and compassionate animal training. Anna shares her fascinating career evolution, starting from her roots in orientation and mobility instruction for the blind to her extensive experience as a Seeing Eye Dog instructor. Anna discusses the unique challenges of bridging the gap between high-stakes service dog work and the nuanced world of companion animal behavior. With a background enriched by the Karen Pryor Academy, Michael Shikashio's aggression studies, and Dr. Susan Friedman's Living and Learning with Animals, Anna brings a highly technical yet deeply empathetic lens to her independent practice, Forward Thinking Dog Training and Mobility. The conversation turns personal as Anna introduces Maggie, her "Cavoodle" with complex behavioral needs. Anna candidly explores the emotional and practical journey of managing Maggie's "doggy ADHD," the complexities of veterinary medication, and the reality of living with a high-needs pet. Together, Shelly and Anna explore: ✅ The Professional Pivot: How teaching humans to use long canes informed Anna's ability to break down training steps for dogs and their handlers. ✅ Navigating Systems: The ethical and emotional challenges of advocating for force-free methods within large, traditional organizations. ✅ Managing Expectations: Why "perfect heeling" isn't always the goal and how to prioritize an animal's needs (like a "sniffari") over a rigid training plan. ✅ Shared Goals and Family Dynamics: Balancing the needs of multiple family members and finding common ground in the training process. ✅ Cooperative Care Wins: Practical strategies for ear medication and home grooming, even when an animal has a history of avoidance. ✅ Creative Generalization: A delightful "happy win" involving a dog named Petro who learned to associate other dogs' bathroom breaks with high-value rewards. This episode is a masterclass in adaptability and advocacy. Anna's story reminds us that whether we are navigating a city with a guide dog or grooming a sensitive pet at home, the most powerful tools we have are patience, observation, and a commitment to meeting the individual exactly where they are. Links https://www.forwardthinkingmobility.com.au/ https://www.forwardthinkingdogtraining.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/forwardthinkingdog https://www.instagram.com/forwardthinkingdog/

In this inspiring episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Xenia Jones — Behavior Therapist at the Animal Behavior Wellness Center in Northern Virginia — for a rich conversation about rescue, resilience, and the power of science-based, compassionate behavior support. With a lifelong background rescuing dogs and cats across five countries — from her native Costa Rica, to South Florida, Spain, Taiwan, and China — Xenia shares the extraordinary experiences that shaped her trauma-informed, choice-based approach to helping both dogs and cats. She reflects on the unique challenges she witnessed in different regions, the importance of teaming up with local communities, and why understanding human culture is essential if we want to truly support animals. Xenia also opens up about her deep connection to separation anxiety, including her own childhood experience and a pivotal case in Spain that left a lasting mark. From there, she takes us through her journey into formal education and certification — including mentorship through Julie Naismith's separation anxiety program and becoming a Certified Control Unleashed Instructor under Leslie McDevitt. Together, Shelly and Xenia explore: ✅ How rescue work across cultures shaped Xenia's behavior philosophy ✅ What it was like rescuing hundreds of dogs during the COVID crisis in Wuhan ✅ Why resilience can look different depending on environment and history ✅ The reality of preparing rescue dogs for overseas adoption — medically and behaviorally ✅ What a Behavior Therapist does in a veterinary behavior clinic setting ✅ A powerful case study combining CAT (Constructional Aggression Treatment) and Control Unleashed "Super Bowls" to help a dog with severe visitor-directed reactivity ✅ Supporting not just the animal — but the family's emotional bandwidth too ✅ A training win inspired by the ATA community: teaching a dog to take medication on cue This episode is a celebration of global compassion, learning, and the quiet, steady work of helping animals feel safe again. Xenia's story is a powerful reminder that when we center choice, dignity, and science — we don't just change behavior. We change lives. Links ​​YouTube Channel  https://www.youtube.com/@unleashingpawsabilities Substack https://substack.com/@unleashingpawsabilities Animal Behavior Wellness Center https://www.abwellnesscenter.com  

In this warm, reflective, and deeply human episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, we are joined by Finnish dog enthusiast and Pawsitive Wellness Coach-to-be Pipsa Toikka, whose journey into animal training began later in life - and changed everything. After raising three boys and building a career in singing, drama, and clown work, Pipsa welcomed her first-ever dog, Rosina, in 2011. A spirited Vizsla–Weimaraner mix with a strong independent streak, Rosina was both a challenge and a profound teacher. Through their years together, Pipsa learned patience, trust, recall built on reinforcement and freedom, and the subtle art of interspecies communication - lessons that would shape her philosophy for life and training. Pipsa shares her experiences training search and rescue, including working rubble searches, supporting police-led efforts, and learning to trust a dog whose need to run was as essential as her extraordinary nose. She reflects on Rosina's remarkable sensitivity to human emotion, including a powerful story that highlights dogs' capacity to perceive what we often miss. Now, alongside her younger working Labrador Musetta, Pipsa continues this legacy through search and rescue work and professional development. As she approaches graduation as a Pawsitive Wellness Coach, Pipsa discusses her growing work supporting people and dogs through a holistic, science-informed lens - addressing behaviour challenges, incorporating ACE Free Work, and centering communication, observation, and wellbeing for both ends of the leash. We also explore the importance of educating humans, shaping caregiver behaviour, and creating environments where learning and emotional safety can thrive. Beyond training, this episode weaves in Pipsa's work with Clowns Without Borders, her background in performance, and her dogs' unexpected careers as animal actors - revealing how joy, creativity, and connection ripple across every part of her life. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that training is not just about skills or outcomes, but about trust, curiosity, and the shared experience of learning - across species, cultures, and life chapters. Links [email protected]