If We Can’t Describe Behavior, We Can’t Change It
From Coffee with the Critters by The Animal Behavior Center
May 11, 2026 · 25 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the importance of understanding animal behavior to effectively address behavior problems.
Behavior problems do not happen for no reason. Before we label an animal as aggressive, stubborn, anxious, hormonal, difficult, or “just being bad,” we need to understand what the behavior is doing for the animal and what the animal may be learning from us. In this live-stream, we will take a powerful look at why behavior matters, how animals learn from their environment, and why we may accidentally reinforce the very behaviors we are trying to stop.
People in this episode
Host: The Animal Behavior Center
Topics covered
- animal behavior
- behavior modification
- learning
- environmental influence
- aggression
- anxiety
Keywords
- behavior problems
- aggressive behavior
- animal learning
- reinforcement
- behavior change
More episodes of Coffee with the Critters
- Building Confidence · June 7, 2026 · 29 min
- Labels Don’t Solve Behavior Problems · May 19, 2026 · 15 min
- Q&A with Lara · April 27, 2026 · 25 min
- Calm is a Skill: Teaching Regulation, Not Suppression · April 27, 2026 · 28 min
- Misunderstanding Motivation · March 25, 2026 · 19 min
- Reinforcement History · March 16, 2026 · 14 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Coffee with the Critters podcast page.