In this episode we catch up with past podcast participant Mikolaj Zybala (Miko) from Poland and discuss shaping behavior. (CLICK HERE to listen to the previous episode featuring Miko). Also see below for podcast outline, a video talking about how to write shaping plans, and a bio of Miko. Enjoy 🙂
Podcast outline.
- 0:00 Introduction.
- 2:47 Updates from Miko as to what he’s been up to in the last 6 months.
- 6:44 Definition of shaping.
- 8:42 Discussion about splitting behavior up rather than lumping it together.
- 12:20 Why we are all expert shapers of behavior.
- 14:07 Miko shares a story of shaping a seal to turn in a circle.
- 18:50 We talk about some of the benefits of writing out shaping plans.
- 22:25 Some examples of fun shaping games you can play.
- 28:20 How to write your own shaping plans.
- 31:20 Miko shares one last story about shaping behavior
- 34:22 Conclusions.
Shaping behavior (Mikolaj Zybala)
Mikolaj Zybala Msc, marine biologist, animal trainer, educator. Specializes in marine mammals’ biology, ethology and husbandry with particular focus on phocid seals. Passionate marine mammal keeper & trainer and advocate for using positive reinforcement methods in animal care. Attendee to multiple seminars and workshops on animal husbandry, a 2012 DUML & Oak Foundation Global Fellow.
Professionally, marine mammal keeper & trainer since 2006, in academic and private facilities and in zoos. Experienced in rehabilitation and in monitoring of wild population of phocid seals. Keen to promote improving animals’ life under human care through positive reinforcement animal training in zoos and in private homes. Eager and devoted to ignite passion and fascination towards the marvel of marine ecosystems in everyone.
Thanks for listening to this podcast about shaping behavior. If you like this podcast, please leave a comment below. In fact, if you didn’t like it I would still love to hear from you, leave a comment below. Good luck with all your training endeavors whether you’re doing animal training in zoos or something else, I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
HI Ryan thank you for the podcast particularly this one. It’s given me a great insite as to how to write up shaping plans and applying it. Although I have done some of this I’ve never really taken the smaller steps and written down a plan to help implement it. Well done and thank to Miko it was great to hear about the work you do and hearing about your experiences and definitions to. Thank you Ryan. Take care. Happy training.
Cheers Nat
Thank You Natasha for listening. My and Ryan’s goal for this podcats is for You guys to gain some insights into a training process and to aid You guys in any way to be better trainers.
All the best in You training experiences and should you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Cheers Miko
This podcast was a great reminder about breaking/splitting behaviour down and remembering that each tiny step is a success! It is easy to get frustrated when we try and take larger steps and don’t see the success we hope for. Thank you to you Ryan and to Miko for explaining so well 🙂
You’re so very welcome Louise 🙂 Both, Ryan and me are all about sharing our experiences and know-how with anybody who practices or wants to practice animal training. Feel free to ask about anything, we’ll do our best to give You a satisfying answer.
Cheers Miko
Thanks for this. I have done splitting criteria and a plan in my head but never on paper. It makes so much sense that it’s much clearer when it’s written out
I didn’t know you had to go easy on the animals,What ive been doing with my dog is expecting him to understand my commands like example ¨Murphy sit¨ but now i understand that i have to say good boy to him with small things,if i want him to be a good boy.