From Canes to Canines with Anna Gigliotti-Skret [Episode 69]

Podcast Synopsis

In this insightful episode of the Animal Training Academy: Making Ripples podcast, host Shelly Wood sits down with Anna Gigliotti-Skret—a behavior-focused dog trainer based in Fremantle, Western Australia—for a deep dive into the intersection of human disability services and compassionate animal training. Anna shares her fascinating career evolution, starting from her roots in orientation and mobility instruction for the blind to her extensive experience as a Seeing Eye Dog instructor.

Anna discusses the unique challenges of bridging the gap between high-stakes service dog work and the nuanced world of companion animal behavior. With a background enriched by the Karen Pryor Academy, Michael Shikashio's aggression studies, and Dr. Susan Friedman's Living and Learning with Animals, Anna brings a highly technical yet deeply empathetic lens to her independent practice, Forward Thinking Dog Training and Mobility.

The conversation turns personal as Anna introduces Maggie, her "Cavoodle" with complex behavioral needs. Anna candidly explores the emotional and practical journey of managing Maggie's "doggy ADHD," the complexities of veterinary medication, and the reality of living with a high-needs pet.

Together, Shelly and Anna explore:

• ✅ The Professional Pivot: How teaching humans to use long canes informed Anna's ability to break down training steps for dogs and their handlers.

• ✅ Navigating Systems: The ethical and emotional challenges of advocating for force-free methods within large, traditional organizations.

• ✅ Managing Expectations: Why "perfect heeling" isn't always the goal and how to prioritize an animal's needs (like a "sniffari") over a rigid training plan.

• ✅ Shared Goals and Family Dynamics: Balancing the needs of multiple family members and finding common ground in the training process.

• ✅ Cooperative Care Wins: Practical strategies for ear medication and home grooming, even when an animal has a history of avoidance.

• ✅ Creative Generalization: A delightful "happy win" involving a dog named Petro who learned to associate other dogs' bathroom breaks with high-value rewards.

This episode is a masterclass in adaptability and advocacy. Anna's story reminds us that whether we are navigating a city with a guide dog or grooming a sensitive pet at home, the most powerful tools we have are patience, observation, and a commitment to meeting the individual exactly where they are.

Links

https://www.forwardthinkingmobility.com.au/

https://www.forwardthinkingdogtraining.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/forwardthinkingdog

https://www.instagram.com/forwardthinkingdog/