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
The majority of the talks at this year’s conference will focus around two main topics – cues and behavior chains. Our speakers will explore a variety of different ideas that relate to both the science behind these topics and how we can improve our training when we are teaching cues and chains.
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, February 22 |
|---|---|
| 5:00-6:30 | Opening reception
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, February 23 |
|---|---|
| 9:00-9:10 | Welcome and announcements |
| 9:10-10:30 | Dr. Alliston Reid (Keynote) From behavior chains to behavioral skills: Animals learn more than previously expected (description) |
| 10:30-10:50 | Morning break |
| 10:50-12:00 | Dr. Joe Layng Sequences of behavior: They are not always chains (description) Panel discussion – The science of behavior chains |
| 12:00-1:30 | Lunch |
| 1:30-2:50 | Steve White LOOK OUT! It’s a runaway chain! The how and why of problem chains (description) |
| 2:50-3:15 | Afternoon break |
| 3:15-5:00 | Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz Cues in context Emily Larlham |
| 6:30-8:00 | Banquet dinner Presentation of the 2019 Anderson Award |
| After dinner | Evening Conversations – Hotel Lobby
Join us on the second floor of the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn 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, February 24 |
|---|---|
| 9:00-10:15 | Hannah Branigan Close the loop: Training reinforcement as behavior (description) |
| 10:15-10:35 | Morning break |
| 10:35-12:15 | Alexandra Kurland Listen! (description) Kay Laurence |
| 12:15-1:45 | Lunch |
| 1:45-2:50 | Barbara Heidenreich Training to improve welfare of orangutans in Borneo (description) |
| 2:50-3:10 | Afternoon Break |
| 3:10-4:15 | Ken Ramirez Common trainer errors: How to avoid them and why we make them (description) |
| 4:15-4:30 | Break |
| 4:30-5:00 | Panel discussion |