Drinking From the Toilet: Real dogs, Real training
Society & Culture
About
A behind-the-scenes look into the reality of dog training, behavior, teaching, and learning. We love our dogs, we love our jobs, but sometimes it's not all unicorns and rainbows. Sometimes at the end of the day, you just need a drink and friend who gets it. We'll keep it fun, and keep it real.
Episodes
- The Matching Law: What It Is, What It Isn't, and Why It Matters | Hannah Branigan
This episode discusses the matching law, a principle explaining how learners distribute behavior based on reinforcement schedules. Host Hannah Branigan details its origins, complications from research, and practical uses for dog trainers,…
- Is Positive Reinforcement Actually Slower? (A Hot Take, Revisited) | Hannah Branigan
This episode revisits the question of whether positive reinforcement methods are slower in dog training.
- Can you use a leash and still be force free? | Hannah Branigan
Hannah Branigan addresses the debate on whether leash use contradicts force-free dog training. She explains that force-free training is an aspirational value system, not a measure of perfection, and discusses how leashes can be integrated…
- Training Faster Behaviors Without Frustration, Part 2 | Hannah Branigan
This episode focuses on techniques for faster dog training, emphasizing clear communication, precise timing with marker cues, and effective reinforcement strategies to reduce hesitation and build confidence in dogs. It suggests capturing i…
- Training Faster Behaviors Without Frustration, Part 1 | Hannah Branigan
This episode of Drinking From the Toilet explains the difference between speed and latency in dog training. It emphasizes that while motivation is important, focusing too much on it can cause frustration. The discussion also covers how beh…
- Avoiding Triggers and Situations | Hannah Branigan
In this episode, we discuss the practice of avoiding situations as part (or all) of a training plan. Often avoiding certain situations can be an important strategy, helping to prevent mistakes and reduce stress for both the dog and the han…
- What's Wrong with "Drilling"? | Hannah Branigan
In this episode we dig into the concept of drilling, and how it applies in dog training. It's pretty common for most of us to have an emotional response just to the term itself - for good reason! But is there any baby in this bathwater? Dr…
- #183: Demand Barking, Part 3, with Kiki Yablon
In this episode, we discuss the history behind Kiki's master's thesis project, Signaled Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior to Address Excessive Vocalization in Dogs, what gave her the idea - the case of the dog barking when guest…
- #182: Demand Barking, Part 2
In this episode, we discuss using concepts around stimulus control to stop demand barking before it stops, how cues create expectations of what reinforcement is available, using naturally occurring events that are already built into your r…
- #181: Demand Barking, Part 1
In this episode, we are talking about Demand Barking. This is a three-part series, at least for now. For the first two episodes, I'll be sharing my thoughts and what I've learned about working with dogs that "demand" bark. And then for the…
- #180: Building Food Drive and Nuanced Reinforcement with Ashlee Osborn
In this episode we discuss the importance of getting really, really good at working with reinforcement, how the topic of reinforcement and using it in training is FAR more nuanced than most trainers recognize, food is probably the most con…
- #179: More Strategies to Reduce Errors
In the last episode, we talked about what errorless learning really means. And I shared a few strategies that might make it easier to apply in your training. Of course, the major benefit to using errorless learning concepts in your trainin…
- #178: How to Apply Errorless Learning Principles in Practical Training Sessions
In his 1968 book, The Technology of Teaching, B.F. Skinner wrote: Errors are not a function of learning or vice-versa nor are they blamed on the learner. Errors are a function of poor analysis of behavior, a poorly designed shaping program…
- #177: Dr. Clive Wynne Says Some Controversial Things About Dominance
In this episode, we discuss what is the ethological definition of dominance?, how does dominance show up in behavior?, how might dominance be relevant in dog training?, differences in dog-dog vs dog-human relationships, and does dominance…
- #176: Taking Short Cuts with Stimulus-Stimulus Pairing with Kiki Yablon
In this episode, we discuss what is stimulus-stimulus pairing and how it works?, what is a "classically conditioned recall" and why might we consider calling it something different, revisiting the differences and interplay between operant…
- #175: Over the Top - High Arousal in Dogs
In this episode, we discuss what is arousal?, how does arousal show up in our training?, how does arousal affect both people and dogs?, how arousal affects reinforcers, and "eating as behavior" and how to build functional food drive with a…
- #174: Families with Dogs and Kids with Jennifer Shryock
In this episode, we discuss the most important thing for dog professionals to know about working with families, the importance of understanding developmental milestones, working with and setting expectations, finding ways for children to s…
- #173: Dealing with Problem Behaviors - Using Alternate Behaviors
In this episode, we discuss that the first step to dealing with a problem behavior is to identify the function, figuring out a plan to control access if possible and practical, if that reinforcer is not practical to work with, identifying…
- #172: How to Tell That Your Classical Conditioning Plan is Working
When we pair two stimuli together as part of a classical conditioning training plan, it can sometimes be hard to determine when the association has been made between the old stimulus and the new stimulus… the "food" and the "bell", to draw…
- #171: Maintenance Mode
In this episode, we discuss, when you might outsource maintenance to the environment?, functional difference between intrinsic and extrinsic reinforcers in maintaining behaviors, how easy it is for behaviors to start slipping before we not…
- #170: How To Avoid Too Much Drilling
In this episode, we discuss tradeoffs when using systematic "drills" to isolate specific aspects of an exercise, drills help us isolate specific aspects of an exercise and give us the advantage of Deliberate Practice for expertise, what is…
- #169: Advocating For Your Dog with Erin Moore
In this episode, we discuss what inspired Erin's Tiktok, what advocating for our dogs even means, why does it matter?, what gets in the way?, how does trauma affect our ability to advocate?, what societal factors may be in play?, and how c…
- #168: Things That Are Saving My Life Right Now
In this episode, we discuss why everything is hard (just kidding, no answers here. Why IS everything so hard?); behaviors, routines, and material acquisitions that are helping take the edge off; behaviors that reduce my daily annoyance lev…
- #167: What is Ethics About and Why Should We Care?
In this episode, we discuss what are "ethics" and why should we care?, can we answer the question "am I a good person?, how can we measure welfare?, the five freedoms/five domains of welfare, every animal has right to freedom from, hunger,…
- #166: Why is Shaping So Hard?, Pt. 2
In this episode, we discuss why we often consider shaping to be an advanced technique, why I think it doesn't have to/shouldn't be that way, why I think how many of us first learned about shaping is contributing to the problem, how the exp…
- #165: Why is Shaping So Hard?, Pt. 1
In this episode, we discuss why we often consider shaping to be an advanced technique, why I think it doesn't have to/shouldn't be that way, why I think how many of us first learned about shaping is contributing to the problem, how the exp…
- #164: Play & Aggression with Karen London
In this episode, we discuss what could aggression possibly have to do with play?, the importance of engaging in play for behavioral wellness, what do we mean when we are talking about play in this context?, and how Karen incorporates play…
- #163: Is It Really R+ or Could It Actually Be R- (With a Cherry on Top)?
In this episode, we discuss, can we use a tactile cue like leash pressure to train in an R+ framework or is it still just R- that we put a treat on top of to make us feel better?, putting food in the picture doesn't necessarily make it pos…
- #162: Working with Compulsive Behaviors Pt 2, with Dr. Michaela Hempen
In this episode, we discuss a question from one of my favorite listeners about a stereotypic/compulsive tail chasing behavior in her dog, brainstorming steps one might take when unpacking a stereotypic (I'm practicing my language!) behavio…
- #161: Working with Compulsive Behaviors Pt 1, with Dr. Michaela Hempen
In this episode, we discuss what are compulsive behaviors?, using the language of stereotypy vs compulsive to describe this category of behaviors, cribbing behavior in horses and the effects on welfare, and a case study of Blondie, includi…
- #160: Spring Clean up for Dog Trainers, Pt 3: The Things We Overlook
This week we are finishing up our Spring Cleaning series... you've already organized all your resources you've collected over the weekend, you've worked out a new better system for your planning and record keeping and this time you've got…
- #159: Mentorship with John Anthony Shahor
In this episode, we discuss what does mentorship mean?, what makes a good mentor?, what makes a good mentee?, how can you get the most out of a mentorship relationship?, and what is the most important thing to focus on to be a better mento…
- #158: Spring Clean up for Dog Trainers, Pt 2: Planning and Record Keeping
In this episode, we discuss getting a fresh start with your planning and record keeping, what gets in the way of being your best self, where to start when nothing is working for you, looking at switching systems a little differently - regu…
- #157: Rescuing RiffRaff, Pt 2: Placing a Dog With a Bite History with Gaby Boijsen
What kind of people adopt a dog with a bite history? This episode is the second in a 2-part special series following the journey of RiffRaff, a rescue dog with some seriously problematic behavior. In this episode, we discuss what was Gaby…
- #156: Rescuing RiffRaff, Pt 1: Fostering a Dog With Aggression with Gaby Boijsen
This episode is the first in a 2-part special series following the journey of RiffRaff, a rescue dog with a tendency toward violence. This sounds like a common story, but I assure you... RiffRaff's story does not end the way you think. No…
- #155: Spring Clean up for Dog Trainers, Pt 1: Organizing and Applying Your Hoard of Resources
This week we are starting a "spring cleaning" of sorts for our training with a decluttering and organizing theme, but I'm not going to talk about how to store all your platforms and treat pouches. It has come to my attention that the bigge…
- #154: Training Bloopers with Karen London
In this episode, we discuss some of our truly epic training bloopers, why Karen encourages us to think of them as "bloopers" instead of failures, the importance of normalizing bloopers and sharing them, thoughts on how to recover after an…
- #153: Tips for Raising Criteria Without Breaking Everything
In this episode, we discuss the power of starting your session conservatively, how being in a position to increase your criteria rapidly is better than being greedy and being forced to lower it, the importance of avoiding getting stuck on…
- #152: Reactive Behavior with Grisha Stewart
In this episode, we discuss why reactivity is such a big topic, why it's so hard, so common, and so important, how our own emotions and behavior play into the problem, what we can do to manage our emotional responses and do better training…
- #151: How to Improve Your Timing
In this episode, we discuss why timing matters in dog training and why you cannot escape it, how it's really about processing time, reaction time does have a biological basis, so just like we do with dogs, make sure you are addressing your…
- #150: How Not to Socialize Your Puppy
In this episode, we discuss what most people get wrong about socialization, which is worse - bad socialization or no socialization?, what is the solution?, and where should trainers focus with new puppy owners? For full show notes, visit:…
- #149: Memory as Behavior... What? with Stephanie Keesey-Phelan
In this episode we discuss what if we looked at memory as behavior? For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/149 This podcast is supported by Behind the Scenes: hannahbranigan.dog/backstage-pass
- #148: Episodic Memory with Marsha Penner
In this episode, we discuss a super nerdy deep dive into episodic memory and even more about memory and learning and brains. For full show notes, visit: www.hannahbranigan.dog/podcast/148 This podcast is supported by Patreon: www.patreon.c…
- 147: Nerdy Nail Trims & Enthusiastic Eye Drops with Laura Monaco Torelli
In this episode, we discuss clever splits for shaping husbandry behaviors, the importance of checking for human readiness, reinforcement strategies for husbandry, what even is husbandry, how important mechanics are, good training technique…
- BONUS: I CU Are Stuck
Bonus episode! Here's a preview of my upcoming Conference Unleashed session with Leslie McDevitt, which we're calling "I CU Are Stuck." Conference Unleashed is taking place virtually on November 5-7. To hear Leslie and my full session, sig…
- 146: Sniffing and Marking
In this episode, we discuss handling **unwanted sniffing in training, the connection to sniffing and urine marking, how to teach sniffing on cue, using Premack's principle, and ways to split to engineer setups so that you can create a prog…
- #145: Getting Out of a Training Funk
It seems like so many of us are getting stuck in a funk with our training lately for one reason or another... or maybe for all the reasons at the same time. I don't know about you, but I keep thinking it has to get better at some point, bu…
- #144: Pet Trainer Roundtable
In this episode, we discuss all kinds of topics related to working with pet owners and training life skills, the first behavior you teach a new team, the most important thing for a pet owner to learn, what do most pet owners get wrong abou…
- #143: Can You Reinforce Fear?
In this episode, we discuss can you reinforce fear?, have you heard that you shouldn't console your frightened dog, that might "reinforce" the fear? (That's kind of unempathetic, isn't it?), and the more progressive message to dog owners i…
- #142: Training Herding Skills with Claire Apple
In this episode, we discuss what reinforcers are in play in herding behavior, marking and rewarding the dog for the human's behavior, training skills out of context, the heretical use of food during herding, switching reinforcement, and be…