Join us for two full days of educational lectures,
thought-provoking question and answer sessions, and many opportunities to meet like-minded trainers and
talk all about animal behavior and training.
Program Overview
Saturday, March 24. On Saturday morning, we’ll talk about the past and future of animal training – how shaping was discovered originally and how animal training is continuing to evolve. In the afternoon, we’ll examine how to build precise behaviors by analyzing and understanding movement.
Sunday, March 25. We’ll spend Sunday morning talking about reinforcers and conditioned reinforcers. Then in the afternoon, we will discuss different problem-solving strategies that can be used when working with clients.
Our unique format will allow you to explore these topics in a way much different from the “typical” conference experience. Each presentation will be followed by a short discussion period for the other speakers to ask questions and discuss the topic with the presenter. This will be followed by a question and answer period where the audience will be able to ask additional questions.
Daily Schedule
| Time | Friday, March 23 |
|---|---|
| 5:00-6:30 | Opening reception – The Crosswinds Room
Join us for conversations and refreshments as we kick off the conference weekend! You’ll get to meet our speakers, talk with other attendees, and see research posters from the ORCA graduate students. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available. |
| Time | Saturday, March 24 |
|---|---|
| 9:00-9:10 | Welcome and announcements |
| 9:10-10:40 | Dr. Julie Vargas B. F. Skinner’s discovery of the operant and of shaping (description) |
| 10:40-11:00 | Morning break |
| 11:00-12:30 |
Short talks: The future is now
Part 1: Barbara Heidenreich Part 2: Dr. Joe Layng Part 3: Q&A: The future of animal training |
| 12:30-2:00 | Lunch |
| 2:00-2:20 | Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz How movement cycles can improve your shaping |
| 2:20-3:30 | Hannah Branigan Movement under the microscope |
| 3:30-3:50 | Afternoon break |
| 3:50-5:00 | Alexandra Kurland Who owns the process? (description) |
| 6:30-8:00 | Banquet dinner Presentation of the 2018 Anderson Award |
| After dinner | Evening Conversations – The Crosswinds Room
Join us in the Crosswinds Room for conversations and discussions. Catch up with old friends and make new friends while chatting about training and discussing the day’s talks. |
| Time | Sunday, March 25 |
|---|---|
| 9:00-10:50 |
Short talks: Reinforcers and conditioned reinforcers Part 1: Emily Larlham Part 2: Bob Bailey Part 3: Alexandra Kurland Part 4: Ken Ramirez |
| 10:50-11:10 | Morning break |
| 11:10-12:30 |
Steve White |
| 12:30-2:00 | Lunch |
| 2:00-3:20 | Barbara Heidenreich Exotic solutions to exotic animal behavior problems (description) |
| 3:20-3:40 | Afternoon Break |
| 3:40-5:00 | Ken Ramirez Problem solving: The eight causes of problem behavior (description) Closing |