Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Animal Behavior series of clinics and classes will build on the previous courses, Teaching a Bridge and Target, and Teaching a Recall, by showing students how to shape these elements into a send. If you’ve ever watched an animal show at a zoo and wondered how the trainers got the animal to go do something and come back to them, this course will show you how.
In this class, students will learn how to shape a target and a recall into a send. By pairing these two behaviors together and learning the elements of excellent timing, students will be able to build their very first behavior chain. This course will not only introduce the idea of a send, but also a few more advanced training techniques, such as variable reinforcement schedules, least-reinforcing scenarios, and a delta. Does this course description make you want to scratch your head? Come take this class and you’ll be speaking training jargon like a pro in no time. This course is taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience. This is hands-off, live demonstration and lecture class. A live animal may participate for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Animal Behavior: Teaching a Send credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Behavior certificate. The Animal Behavior certificate core courses are meant to be taken in order, and this is the fifth class of the series. $40 per participant for 1.5-hour class. Limit 15 participants. Weather permitting. Message us to sign up or ask questions.
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Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Animal Behavior series of clinics and classes will build on the previous course, Teaching a Bridge and Target, by showing students how to shape a target into a recall. If any animal you’ve shared your life with has ever gotten away from you and refused to come back without hours of stress, pleading, and bribery, you know what a recall is and how important it can be.
In this class, students will learn how to shape a target into a recall. A recall is the first of several “safety” behaviors all good trainers should train. It’s the easiest way to break a broken record of instinctual behavior, bring an animal back to you, and also serves as a fantastic gauge of their willingness to participate. Students will explore all these principles and more in this course focused on the training of, and theory behind, the recall. Does this course description make you want to scratch your head? Come take this class and you’ll be speaking training jargon like a pro in no time. This course is taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience. This is hands-off, live demonstration and lecture class. A live animal may participate for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Animal Behavior: Teaching a Recall credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Behavior certificate. The Animal Behavior certificate core courses are meant to be taken in order, and this is the fourth class of the series. $40 per participant for 1.5-hour class. Limit 15 participants. Weather permitting. Message us to sign up or ask questions. Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Animal Behavior series of clinics and classes will focus on teaching a bridge and a target, two of the most basic, but most important, behaviors to train. These two simple behaviors will form the foundation off of which you will shape behaviors for the rest of your career.
In this class, you’ll learn how to choose a reinforcer, and use it to create a bridge. Once the animal understands the concept of a bridge, you can teach them a simple target behavior, which will be the first step in shaping many other behaviors. Does this course description make you want to scratch your head? Come take this class and you’ll be speaking training jargon like a pro in no time. This course is taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience. This is hands-off, demonstration and lecture class. A live animal may participate for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Animal Behavior: Teaching a Bridge and Target credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Behavior certificate. The Animal Behavior certificate core courses are meant to be taken in order, and this is the third class of the series. Students must complete The Language of Training and Basics of Operant Conditioning to take this course. $40 per participant for 1.5-hour class. Limit 15 participants. Weather permitting. Message us to sign up or ask questions. Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Animal Behavior series of clinics and classes will focus on the basics of operant conditioning, the behavior theory that most modern professional animal training is built on. Operant conditioning works with nearly every species, because it appeals to the basic instincts of most forms of life.
In this class, you’ll learn the basic principles of operant conditioning and how these puzzle pieces fit together to create a well-behaved animal. In order to achieve a career in professional animal training, students must not only memorize the principles of operant conditioning, but understand them. By making these concepts memorable and accessible, this class will be the foundation for a lifetime of training. This class is taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience. This is lecture-only class. A live animal may participate for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Animal Behavior: Basics of Operant Conditioning credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Behavior certificate. The Animal Behavior courses build off each other and are therefore meant to be taken in order. Students must complete The Language of Training prior to taking this course. An exception will be made for Animal Care certificate students who are taking this course as a bonus credit. $30 per participant for 1-hour class. Limit 20 participants. Weather permitting. Message us to sign up or ask questions. Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Animal Behavior series of clinics and classes will focus on the very most basic concept of training: the language.
In this class, ranch owner Lessa Ritzma will share her theory and experiences of training animals, and the importance of clear communication that crosses the species boundary. This course is meant to be taken in order with the rest of the core Animal Behavior certificate courses, and is the first class of the series. Lessa’s previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience. This is lecture-only class. A live animal may participate for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Animal Behavior: The Language of Training credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Behavior certificate. $30 per participant for 1-hour class. Limit 20 participants. Weather permitting. Message us to sign up or ask questions. Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Equine Education series of clinics and classes will focus on the tools that shape your experiences with your horse: the tack.
In this class, you’ll discover how to tell if basic western or English tack is well—or poor—fitting. If your horse isn’t comfortable while they’re working, they’re probably not working to their full potential. Learn to spot mistakes—and potential disasters—before they happen. This course will cover the basics of saddle, bridle, and bit fitting in both English and western tack sets. You’ll also learn about tack anatomy, as well as a few of the many accessories available, and the purposes they serve. This class will be taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience. Guest lecturers may teach portions of the class. This is an audit-only, hands-off class. A live equine may participate for the demonstration portion. All participants will qualify for the Equine Education: Tack Fitting Basics credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Equine Education certificate. $50 per participant for 2-hour class. Limit 10 participants. Weather permitting. Message us to sign up or ask questions. Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Equine Education series of clinics and classes will focus on hauling horses in trailers. Anyone who’s ever tried knows loading and hauling your horse in a trailer is not as simple as it seems.
In this class, you’ll discover easy, gentle techniques for loading difficult horses, how to properly hitch up a trailer, how to drive safely with a trailer, and how to deal with contingencies while hauling. You’ll learn safe loading and unloading, as well as checklists to ensure your trailer is in good condition and ready for the road. This class will be taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience. Guest lecturers may teach portions of the class. This is an audit-only, hands-off class. A live equine may participate for the demonstration portion. All participants will qualify for the Equine Education: Easy Trailer Loading and Safe Hauling credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Equine Education certificate. $50 per participant for 2-hour class. Limit 10 participants. Weather permitting. Message us to sign up or ask questions. Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Equine Education series of clinics and classes will focus on large-scale emergencies and evacuation readiness. In the event of a disaster, every horse and ranch owner should be prepared with emergency supplies and a plan.
In this class, you’ll learn how to create an emergency plan. When seconds count, having a course of action can be critical to saving lives. You’ll also learn what supplies you should have on hand, how to prepare for emergencies, and how to communicate effectively during one. Course topics will include staging, loading, supplies, backup plans, and training staff to react appropriately. This class will be taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience, along with industry professionals and large animal evacuation experts. This is an audit-only, hands-off class. All participants will qualify for the Equine Education: Emergency and Evacuation Preparation credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Equine Education certificate. It will also qualify for a bonus credit for the Animal Behavior certificate. $25 per participant for 2-hour class. Limit 50 participants. Weather permitting. Message us to sign up or ask questions. Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Equine Education series of clinics and classes will focus on using positive reinforcement to teach your horse to stand willingly for injections. This course will require either Trick Training I or Positive Reinforcement Desense as a prerequisite to come prepared with the basics of operant conditioning
In this class, you’ll discover the techniques zookeepers use to teach animals to participate in their own medical care. Whether your horse is nervous, doesn’t like surprises, had a bad experience, or just won’t stay put, regular training and positive reinforcement can teach them to stand still for injections. Even if your horse is perfect for injections, this course will explore the nuances of timing in training and provide another building block for shaping your own behaviors. This class will be taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience. This is an audit-only, hands-off class. A live equine may be present for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Equine Education: Teaching a Willing Injection credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Equine Education certificate. It will also qualify for a bonus credit for the Animal Behavior certificate. $50 per participant for 1.5-hour class. Limit 10 participants. Weather permitting. Message us to sign up or ask questions. Presented by Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Animal Care Academy, this segment of our Equine Education series of clinics and classes will focus on basic nutrition and physical activity for your horse.
In this class, you’ll discover how to keep your horse in tip-top shape, from providing a nutritious, species-appropriate diet, to the correct level and type of exercise for their fitness and ability level. Just like humans, horses thrive when fed nutritious food and given plenty of opportunity for mental and physical stimulation. While the nuances of equine nutrition and fitness are ever-changing (just like humans), this course will cover the basics and give you enough information to make your own decisions. This class will be taught by ranch owner Lessa Ritzma, whose previous career credits include zookeeper and exotic animal trainer, along with over twenty years of horse experience. There will also be a professional guest lecturer. This is an audit-only class with some opportunity for optional participation. A live equine may be available for demonstration purposes. All participants will qualify for the Equine Education: Equine Fitness and Nutrition credit for Iron Oak Canyon Ranch's Equine Education certificate. It will also qualify for a bonus credit for the Animal Care certificate. $50 per participant for 2-hour class. Limit 10 participants. Weather permitting. Message us to sign up or ask questions. |