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Drinking From the Toilet: Real dogs, Real training

Drinking From the Toilet: Real dogs, Real training

Hannah Branigan 192 episodes Latest May 14, 2026

A behind-the-scenes look into the reality of dog training, behavior, teaching, and learning. The host, Hannah Branigan, shares honest experiences about working with dogs, acknowledging that it's not always easy. The podcast aims to keep things fun and real, offering a supportive space for dog trainers and enthusiasts.

Episodes

The Matching Law: What It Is, What It Isn't, and Why It Matters | Hannah Branigan May 14, 2026 42:11 Hannah follows up last episode's hot take on training speed with a deeper dive into the matching law, the behavioral principle that describes how learners allocate behavior in proportion to reinforcement schedules. She covers the original pigeon experiments, what decades of follow-up research have complicated, and how understanding this equation (without actually doing the math) can make you a mor
Is Positive Reinforcement Actually Slower? (A Hot Take, Revisited) | Hannah Branigan May 7, 2026 40:19
Can you use a leash and still be force free? | Hannah Branigan Apr 16, 2026 20:29 Somewhere on the internet, someone is arguing that using a leash means you aren't really a force-free trainer. In this solo episode, Hannah unpacks the difference between impact and intent, explains why force-free training is a set of values rather than a guarantee of perfection, and gets into the mechanics of how a leash can function as a neutral tactile cue trained entirely through positive rein
Training Faster Behaviors Without Frustration, Part 2 | Hannah Branigan Aug 27, 2024 32:03 In this episode, we explore strategies to achieve faster and more precise behaviors in dog training. I discuss how clarity, timing, and reinforcement techniques can improve your dog's response times, reduce hesitation, and build confidence. Tune in for practical tips to keep your training sessions clean and effective. Key Points: - Clear communication prevents slow or hesitant behaviors in dogs. -
Training Faster Behaviors Without Frustration, Part 1 | Hannah Branigan Aug 23, 2024 54:34 In this episode we discuss: Speed vs. Latency: Speed is how fast a behavior is completed from the time it starts. Latency is the response time, or the time elapsed between when the cue is perceived and when the behavior starts. Motivation: While motivation is essential, it is just one piece of the puzzle. Overemphasizing motivation can lead to frustration, which might not always yield the des
Avoiding Triggers and Situations | Hannah Branigan Aug 15, 2024 44:58 In this episode, we discuss the practice of avoiding situations as part (or all) of a training plan. Often avoiding certain situations can be an important strategy, helping to prevent mistakes and reduce stress for both the dog and the handler. But it's usually not a long-term solution by itself and misconceptions about avoidance can result in teams getting stuck and unable to make progress. We al
What's Wrong with "Drilling"? | Hannah Branigan Feb 28, 2024 34:23 In this episode we dig into the concept of drilling, and how it applies in dog training. It's pretty common for most of us to have an emotional response just to the term itself - for good reason! But is there any baby in this bathwater? Drilling is significant for skill acquisition in various contexts beyond dog training, our emotional responses to drilling are shaped by personal experiences and t
#183: Demand Barking, Part 3, with Kiki Yablon Feb 12, 2024 02:01:46 In this episode, we discuss the history behind Kiki's master's thesis project, Signaled Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior to Address Excessive Vocalization in Dogs, what gave her the idea - the case of the dog barking when guests are over, how training stay on a mat actually seems to have caused the problem, the new strategy - signalling that food will not be available when towel was hu
#182: Demand Barking, Part 2 Feb 2, 2024 46:03 In this episode, we discuss using concepts around stimulus control to stop demand barking before it stops, how cues create expectations of what reinforcement is available, using naturally occurring events that are already built into your routine to signal when reinforcement is available and when it is not, overly-simplified reminders of including good dog household management, which you already kn
#181: Demand Barking, Part 1 Jan 18, 2024 44:49 In this episode, we are talking about Demand Barking. This is a three-part series, at least for now. For the first two episodes, I'll be sharing my thoughts and what I've learned about working with dogs that "demand" bark. And then for the 3rd episode, we'll talk to a guest on the subject! In this episode, we discuss how barking isn't just one behavior, it's actually a lot of different behaviors t
#180: Building Food Drive and Nuanced Reinforcement with Ashlee Osborn Oct 19, 2023 01:41:39 In this episode we discuss the importance of getting really, really good at working with reinforcement, how the topic of reinforcement and using it in training is FAR more nuanced than most trainers recognize, food is probably the most convenient reinforcement but it does require specific conditioning and strategies to use effectively in training, Ashlee's game, Clockwork - a fancy application of
#179: More Strategies to Reduce Errors Oct 5, 2023 41:03 In the last episode, we talked about what errorless learning really means. And I shared a few strategies that might make it easier to apply in your training. Of course, the major benefit to using errorless learning concepts in your training is the outcome of behaviors with a cleaner learning history and less emotional baggage. Of course, we don't want attempts to avoid errors to mean we also avoid

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