Leigh Clayton is a resident in avian/exotic animal medicine at Boston's Angell Animal Medical Center, formerly Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, specializing in avian care. Recently we asked her a few questions about why she recommends clicker training for every patient she sees.
Trainer Interviews
Thinking Beyond the Cue: Ken Ramirez Takes Animal Training to a New Level
By Julie Gordon on 01/01/2012Editor's note: Can an animal think beyond specific cues and generalize to a broader concept? Can you teach a dog to copy a behavior that another dog just performed? Can you teach the difference between big and little? Left and right? When we think of animal training, we don't often think beyond teaching certain cues. ClickerExpo faculty member Ken Ramirez offers a chance to think beyond the cue and rethink what dogs are capable of—when the right training method is used.
Preventing Behavior Problems, One Puppy at a Time: An Interview with Debbie Martin
By Julie Gordon on 10/01/2011Behavior problems are the biggest threat to the human-animal bond, and the number-one reason dogs are relinquished. So what’s the key to preventing problems before they start? Debbie Martin, KPA faculty member and ClickerExpo faculty member, says, “Get them while they’re young!” One of the few veterinary technicians in the country to specialize in behavior modification, Debbie has always had an interest in animal behavior. She has dedicated her career to helping pet owners resolve their pets’ behavior problems. Recognizing that prevention is easier than treatment, Debbie believes that many behavior problems can be averted with early socialization and foundation training.
Through her book, Puppy Start Right: Foundation Training for the Companion Dog, and now with her ClickerExpo 2012 Session, Puppy Start Right!: Teaching Puppy Classes, Debbie continues to give pet owners, veterinary professionals, and trainers the information and support they need to improve the welfare of dogs—one puppy at a time!
Never Stop Learning: Laura Monaco Torelli Comes Full Circle
By Julie Gordon on 09/01/2011Laura Monaco Torelli, Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Certified Training Partner (CTP) and the newest member of the KPA faculty, has been a professional animal trainer for two decades. Laura was introduced to Karen Pryor's philosophy and training methods in 1991 when Laura began her career training beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, seals, river otters, and penguins as the Senior Lead Trainer at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. In 2000, Laura moved from marine to terrestrial animals, holding lead trainer positions at the San Diego and Brookfield Zoos. She has trained a wide variety of species, including primates, large cats, birds of prey, reticulated giraffes, Arctic foxes, horses, parrots, macaws, tree kangaroos, red pandas, and, of course, dogs! Laura's career has included one fantastic learning experience after another and is now leading her full circle—back to Karen, as she becomes the newest faculty member at Karen Pryor Academy.
Taking a Bite Out of Dog Bites: Talking Kids and Dogs with Joan Orr
By Julie Gordon on 05/01/2011Did you know that 50% of all children in the United States will be bitten by a dog before their 12th birthday?
