About this episode

Ryan Talbot discusses the integration of behavior science and engineering in animal husbandry, emphasizing clarity and choice for both animals and humans.

In the second part of our conversation with Ryan Talbot , Behavioral Enrichment and Training Manager at Wolf Park, we continue exploring how behavior science, engineering, and thoughtful creativity come together in Ryan's work with wolves and wolf dogs. Ryan shares how small, systematic changes can create meaningful shifts in cooperative care, and how approaching husbandry through a constructional, stepwise lens helps both animals and humans experience more clarity and choice. Ryan and host Ryan Cartlidge dig into the practical realities of teaching complex behaviors to apex species. They discuss shaping, splitting, and transferring control, as well as how long-term plans can be built from simple, repeatable loops. Ryan also reflects on what he has learned from working with individual animals over many years, including how emotional safety guides the pace of training and how social dynamics influence husbandry outcomes. Throughout the episode, Ryan highlights the importance of curiosity, experimentation, and community. From building prototype tools to inviting colleagues into problem-solving conversations, he shares how collaborative thinking makes training more effective and…

People in this episode

Host: Ryan Cartlidge

Guest: Ryan Talbot

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Wolf Park

More episodes of Animal Training Academy

• Lessons from a Lifetime in Behaviour with Karen Deeds [Episode 279] · May 4, 2026 · 1h 16m
• Finding Your Flow: Artistry in Dog Training with Steve Goodall [Episode 278] · April 20, 2026 · 1h 11m
• Clarity, Credibility & Collaboration with Natalie Light [Episode 277] · April 6, 2026 · 1h 5m
• Building Values-Driven, Resilient Training Careers with Jason Light [Episode 276] 24032026 · March 23, 2026 · 1h 12m
• Doing It Anyway: Confidence, Marketing & Growth with Veronica Boutelle [Episode 275] · March 9, 2026 · 57 min
• Michael Shikashio on Professionalism, Polarisation, and the Future of Dog Training [Episode 274] · February 23, 2026 · 1h 17m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Animal Training Academy podcast page.