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 ⁠abc@theabma.org⁠

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• 1:30 Upcoming ABMA offerings

• 5:35 Definition and practical application of chaining and behavior chains

• 15:30 Backward chaining

• 22:35 Forward chaining

• 26:15 Recommendation to utilize backward chaining

• 31:15 Advice on preventing behavior chain breakdowns

• 33:50 The difference between chaining and shaping

• 38:50 “Training Tales”