Laura Monaco Torelli - Animal Behavior Training Concepts

Laura Monaco Torelli - Animal Behavior Training Concepts "Explore the Joy of Learning Together" ® "Explore the Joy of Learning Together"
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08/30/2026

Cue transfer complete! We’ve been working on a new visual cue for his spin right one rotation behavior.

New cue: I spin one time.

This brief video doesn’t showcase the actual cue transfer process. We weave in default stand position so he’s facing me with steady balance and not angled sideways. Also for stimulus assessment and fluency goals.

Then we add in the spin cue as a reinforcer for the offered playbow (two-part behavior chain common sequence).

I also try to vary which hand offers the food and sometimes feed hand-to-mouth (home delivery!) or a slow reset away in the direction he’s facing so he doesn’t potentially pull a muscle turning too quickly to access food tossed behind him.

Thanks to Jim for videotaping. He cheered out loud earlier today when Enzo offered the right spin on the new cue!

We love Enzo 🐾💞
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Enzo the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Even though we celebrate our pups each and every day, here’s a photo of our sweet Enzo at eight weeks snuggled in with m...
08/26/2026

Even though we celebrate our pups each and every day, here’s a photo of our sweet Enzo at eight weeks snuggled in with my husband.

These two absolutely adore one another. And I absolutely adore them.

Happy National Dog Day.

Enzo, you bring light, laughter, and so much love into our home. Plus Lucia and Topolina too (🐱🐱)!
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Enzo the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Adorable Yuri offered snuggles as he told me all about his new canine brother.I’m all ears, sweetheart. Also wondering i...
08/24/2026

Adorable Yuri offered snuggles as he told me all about his new canine brother.

I’m all ears, sweetheart. Also wondering if my pockets are large enough to sneak you home.
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08/23/2026

It can be a challenge living in a location where elevators aren’t available. Heck, even having elevator access presents its own host of possible challenges!

Taking our pups for a hike through winding staircases with limited visual range can be setup towards safety concerns. Especially in buildings that have multiple dogs we randomly hear, see, and smell in close quarters.

Here’s a brief video of two teams that live in Chicago showing wonderful progress with our new staircase landing visual cues = Harry and Poe slow their gait = wait for handlers = treat!

Team Harry also taped a sign on their front door that reads “dog in training — please do not knock” to cue their neighbors and guests, per my recommendation.

Team Poe (video two) recently adopted this sweet older pup from Chicago Animal Care and Control. They currently use a two-leash system that helps to support the family’s balance needs as they learn new leash safety skills together without being pulled down to the ground when Poe sees intriguing wildlife. With environment considerations in mind, the second leash is occasionally removed. You’ll also hear them mention and demonstrate our suggested added tip of a pattern game attributed to the excellent contributions of Leslie McDevitt.

Thanks to their families for approval to share these brief updates. Way to go Harry and Poe!

[Video disclaimer: please consult a certified professional behavior consultant to help you and your canine family member. And consult your veterinarian team to assess structure support for dogs with potential physical limitations when navigating stairs. Thankfully both teams have carpet available to mitigate slipping.]
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One absolute best part of my role on a care team is observing progress as a process from session one towards our final m...
08/22/2026

One absolute best part of my role on a care team is observing progress as a process from session one towards our final meet up.

Congratulations to Team Harry for wrapping up our day train program. They absolutely adore one another!
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08/10/2026

When I joined the team at Sante Fe College Teaching Zoo to teach a two-day workshop, I had the pleasure to observe sessions with various species.

Their AZA accredited facility houses red ruffed lemurs, which include their participation in the Species Survival Plan® (SSP) programs.

Learn more at https://www.aza.org/species-survival-plan-programs

This brief video highlights a male lemur named Aspen participating in a session with Camden. The elevated perching with a steady platform provides Aspen a comfortable station for overall balance while his long tail drapes off the edge. It also sets the stage for Camden to have easy access to Aspen for the session.

Both did an exceptional demonstration considering my presence and proximity in the enclosure while guests observed from the nature path.

Aspen is visually impaired (only has right eye), so the slow thoughtful approximations of hand movement followed by stethoscope prop along the left side of his body showcase clear verbal predictor cues.

The “back” cue followed by slow visual cues and “listen” which predicts the visual and tactile cues of the stethoscope prop. And Camden’s patience providing Aspen the opportunity to orientate and sniff the prop prior to raising criteria is fantastic.

It’s a joy to be a part of students’ continuing education as they follow their dreams to venture into the animal care community!

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo
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An adorable new puppy friend!Brandi | 12 weeks 🐾💛__
08/07/2026

An adorable new puppy friend!

Brandi | 12 weeks 🐾💛
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Congratulations to our eight talented Excel Teams for successfully completing my KPA Husbandry At Home Live course!Eight...
08/06/2026

Congratulations to our eight talented Excel Teams for successfully completing my KPA Husbandry At Home Live course!

Eight weeks flew by, yet it featured inspiring progress coupled with excellent questions while we learned together.

Many thanks to Karen Pryor Academy for hosting the series, to teaching assistants Brie Blakeman and Kathy Ihlenfeldt for their expertise, and Annie Chastain for course moderator support.

A true team effort. I’m going to miss this group of outstanding Excel working dog teams and Engage observer guests.

Thanks for inviting me into your continuing education care goals!
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Thank you to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) for the generous invitation to join the speaker ...
06/28/2026

Thank you to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) for the generous invitation to join the speaker lineup alongside talented colleagues.

In-person and virtual attendance options available.

Learn more at:

https://avsab.org/annual-cabc-conference/

06/09/2026

Megha D Patel OutoftheBark I feel truly fortunate to be on Milo’s care team. He receives amazing love and care because of you and your veterinary plus rehabilitation team. Thank you for the excellent questions and letting me learn from our time together. Milo is a very special friend, and he brought us together as colleagues and now friends too!

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