45: Behavior Management in an Aquatic Setting - A Collaboration with AAZK for Spotlight on Aquariums Week with Sarah Snider Keys, AAZK, and Sarah (SK) Ivkovich, Dolphin Research Center

This episode is a collaboration with AAZK (American Association of Zoo Keepers) for their "Spotlight on Aquariums Week". The guests for this episode are Sarah Snider-Keys from the Board of Directors of AAZK and Sarah (SK) Ivkovich from The Dolphin Research Center (DRC) as they discuss behavior management in an aquatic setting. Sarah and SK discuss some of the differences and challenges of working with purely aquatic species and some of the creative solutions and successes that come from an aquatic setting. This episode also touches on when and how to start training baby animals and training animals in a social group. Stay tuned in for a "Training Tale" about how a dolphin learned how to soar not from a trainer's approximations, but by watching and learning from another dolphin. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or visit our website https://www.theabma.org To reach Sarah Snider- Keys email [email protected] and to learn more about AAZK visit their website https://aazk.org To reach Sarah Ivkovich email [email protected] Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 2:50 Intro to Sarah Snider-Keys and SK Ivkovich  4:25 Information about AAZK (American Association of Zoo Keepers)  6:55 Spotlight on Aquariums Week  10:20 Planning and implementing training in an aquatic setting  15:05 Specific behaviors/techniques that are unique to purely aquatic species  19:00 Advantages and challenges with habitats that are in the public view  25:20 Training baby animals before food is a reinforcer/When should you start training?  33:15 Social animals, group vs individual animal criteria 38:50 Enrichment opportunities in an aquatic setting 46:10 Advice for starting behavior programs with aquatic species  52:30 “Training Tales”