70: Chaining & Behavior Chains with Justin Garner, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

This episode Justin Garner, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, provides some great learning on behavior chains and the process of chaining.  Justin starts by breaking down the process of chaining while giving practical application examples.  The discussion then dives into how a behavior chain works and dissects what it means for each behavior in the chain to serve as both a discriminative stimulus and a conditioned reinforcer.  Justin then explains the difference between backward and forward chaining and why it is recommended to utilize backward chaining.  The discussion ends with advice on preventing behavior chain breakdown and an explanation on the difference between shaping and chaining.  Stay tuned in for Justin’s  "Training Tale" about a team and a mob of macropods reaching new heights in training.  For questions or suggestions about the podcast email ⁠[email protected]⁠For more information on the ABMA’s virtual conference visit this link: https://www.theabma.org/virtual-conferenceTo submit an abstract for the ABMA 2026 annual conference visit this link: https://www.theabma.org/abma-annual-conferenceTo complete the podcast feedback survey visit this link: ⁠⁠https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/Rspt0Bk/abcpodcast2025⁠⁠1:30 Upcoming ABMA offerings 5:35 Definition and practical application of chaining and behavior chains15:30 Backward chaining 22:35 Forward chaining 26:15 Recommendation to utilize backward chaining31:15 Advice on preventing behavior chain breakdowns 33:50 The difference between chaining and shaping 38:50 “Training Tales”