The more animals I train, the more I understand how tiny details can make a huge difference! Often times, a seemly insignificant change in how we interact with an animal can totally change the learning process. A small change can sometimes make learning happen faster, but sometimes can make learning happen slower, and sometimes can […]
Tag Archives | mechanical skills
Becoming a better trainer
In March 2015, I attended the 7th annual Art and Science of Animal Training Conference in Denton, Texas. This post is part of my notes from the conference. For the rest of my notes from the conference, please visit this page. Most of the animal trainers I know, both professional trainers and people training their […]

Bob Bailey: Teaching Trainers
These are my notes from the 6th Art and Science of Animal Training Conference, held in March 2014 at the University of North Texas. Visit this page for more conference notes. Bob Bailey’s lecture this year was titled: “Teaching trainers applied behavior analysis: A personal journey from the rat lab to the chicken workshop.” I […]

Understanding body language
This is part one of my notes from ORCA’s 2013 Art and Science of Animal Training Conference. For links to the rest of my notes (which will be posted over the next few weeks),please visit the Conference and Clinic Notes section of my site. Phung Luu has been training animals for over two decades and […]

Tex is a Smart Pony!
Tex the pony and I have been working on getting really, really good at backing up. This is one skill we’ve really been focusing on for the past several clicker training sessions. Backing up is good for Tex for two reasons. (Actually, there are probably a lot more reasons!) 1. Tex is quickly becoming a […]
10 tips to improve your clicker training
Clicker training is GREAT for dogs, cats, and horses. (And even lobsters and goldfish!) With clicker training, animals learn fast and are generally more interested and engaged in the training process. However, like anything else, clicker training is a skill. Being skilled at clicker training takes time and practice. Here are 10 tips that will […]