Welcome to the new, podcast-version of CAAB Chats! If you are looking for the replays of the CAABChat webinars, go to CAABChats.com.

The new format podcasts will be published bi-weekly and will include one brief podcasts (20-40 min) and one longer (1+ hr) expert guest podcast per month. These podcasts can be downloaded or accessed live from the website. If you have an idea for a podcast or a question you’d like answered, let us know! Also, subscribe to our notification list so you’ll always know when the next podcast is published. Currently, all podcasts are FREE

WHAT: CAAB Chats are a professional discussion among Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists and other experts about timely, useful, controversial, and foundational topics in the field of animal behavior and training. You’ll gain insights and information that will change and broaden your thinking and your approach to training and behavior.  Think of CAAB Chats as a more “up close and personal” version of panel discussions at conferences.

WHO:  Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists have all conducted their own original scientific research as part of the criteria for certification and have a minimum of two years of experience. Some CAABs have been in the field for over 25 years working in their chosen area. Some CAABs work with companion animals, and some work with other species.  All have graduate degrees (a Master’s for ACAABs and a PhD for CAABs) in a behavior science.

We all have a scientific, research background in common, yet we each have our own research interests, are experienced in different facets of pet behavior and bring to the table a depth and breadth of behavioral knowledge and practical experience that are second to none.

WHY: Pet owners and pet professionals alike need an easily accessible format where pet behavior scientists with day to day practical experience solving pet behavior problems candidly discuss topics that are crucial to the field and analyze claims, methods, research and more for practical, scientific, and factual validity.

Beliefs about pet behavior and training are spread over a broad spectrum of methods, ideas, and practices that often conflict.  Much of the information is completely disconnected from the sciences of animal behavior, animal learning and animal welfare. The more closely connected we stay to the science of behavior, the better able we are to provide what our pets need and manage and modify their behaviors in ways that work for both them and us, without causing harm.

Dog training has a reputation for being quite dogmatic (to coin a phrase) with at least some of its practitioners believing their methods and their interpretations of behavior are THE ONLY right ones.  At a previous Animal Behavior Society’s annual conference, attendees of the Public Day reported they most enjoyed the panel discussion at the end and the chance to hear renowned behavior scientists engage in discussion and express varying points of view.  We took that expressed desire to heart and created CAAB Chats.

DISCLAIMER: CAAB Chat Podcasts are not endorsed by or in any way connected to the Animal Behavior Society (ABS).  Views expressed by participating CAABs and ACAABs are their own and do not represent the positions of ABS. To learn more about certification of applied animal behaviorists, see the ABS website.