About me

Stable cat Lucie and me
My lipizzaner mare Capriola and me
One of the many fascinating inhabitants of Rwandan forests (Trioceros elliotti)

My name is Dr. Iris Starnberger. I am a zoologist, certified animal trainer, passionate horse “owner”, scientist und bee-keeper.

In my studies, I’ve immersed myself with behavioural biology, signal evolution and communication in the animal kingdom. Additionally, I dove deep into the psychology of learning as well as applied behaviour change.

 

My passion and my vision is to highlight alternative and science-based methods of animal training – which to date are still not known or applied widely enough.

Medical Training ist one of my favourite training areas, because it does not only make life easier for caregivers and vets, but directly improves the animal’s welfare and quality of life.

 

The term “Zuckerbrot” directly translates to “sugar bread” and refers to the German version of the proverb “with carrots and sticks”, which would translate to “teaching someone with sugar bread and whip”. To me Zuckerbrot represents all animal friendly, efficient and effective science-based methods of animal training and behaviour modification – and usually there is no need for sticks or whips.

Training as preparation for future stress-free trimming.
Schaf, Bussi, Tricktraining, positive Verstärkung, Tiertraining,
Sheep “Lotte” with her favourite trick “Kiss”
Lama, protected contact, Target, Tiertraining, positive Verstärkung
Target training with Llama “Mocca” in protected contact.
Trailer loading with positive reinforcement.
Medical Training with pig lady “Nanni”.
Training encouter with a marmoset.
Target training a zebra as preparation for necessary ultra-sound exams.
A donkey foal learns that the halter is great fun.
Medical training with gecko “Samira”.
Preparation for training with formerly shy red-crowned parakeets
Little presents keep a friendship alive.
Training for volontary claw clipping with parakeet “Romeo”
Each quail gets to know her own colour target. Like this, they all learn to station and individual birds can be led onto the scales.

The way I train is based upon the animal’s voluntary participation, on fun, joy and mutual trust. Like this, the animal-human relationship blossoms almost by itself and a true friendship is cemented.
To achieve this, we don’t need any of the outdated dominance concepts. If you look at the matter with your “science hat” on, things become very clear: To change our animal’s behaviour, first and foremost we need to change our own behaviour!

Capriola is motivated to follow the target and she carries herself beautifully. This is just one example for systematic gymnastic excercises at liberty via rewards-based training.

By the way, following a science-based approach does by no means exclude your feeling and intuition.

Whether you are interested in activities to keep your animal mentally engaged, in gymnastic excercises or in effective interventions for a so-called problem behaviour – I’m here for you!

 

Best regards,

Iris Starnberger, PhD

abstand

I am proud to be able to regularly share my knowledge here: 

 

Qualifications and Continuing Education 

 

2024

  • Online Course “Smart Reinforcement” mit Ken Ramirez (still running)
  • 2-day Workshop “Training Days” with Chirag Patel at the Animal Shelter “Tierheim Bruck a.d. Leitha”
  • Online Course “Der neue Longenkurs” and “Beurteilung der Laufmanier” by Babette Teschen
  • Online Course “Wie wirkt Wippentraining?” with Nina Steigerwald and Karin Kattwinkel
  • Online Course “Raus aus der Trageschwäche” and “Was ist dein Pferd für ein Muskeltyp” with Karin Kattwinkel
  • 3-day Workshop “Reward-based Art of Riding” with Angelica Hesselius in Oberkreuzstetten, Austria
  • 5-day Workshop at the Animal Training Center Graz “Intensive-Animal-Training-Week: Focus Topic: Protected Contact”
  • Webinar “Herd – everything about horses and their nervous system: the basics of the relationship with humans and polyvagal theory” – with Agata Wiatrowska
  • Online Workshop “Reward-based Riding – Creating Connection in the Saddle” with Angelica Hesselius and Hannah Weston
  • Webinar “Gymnastic Longeing in classical dressage” with Alena Obleitner

2023

  • 2-day Seminar with Chirag Patel “Practical Application of Behaviour Analysis for challenging behaviour” at the Tierheim Bruck a.d. Leitha
  • Talk by Chirag Patel “Top-Tips for a good relationship with your dog”
  • Federal congress of Austrian Animal-related Service Providers with talks and workshops:
    • Dr. Stephan Gronostay: “Fear in Animals”
    • Dr. Stephan Gronostay: “Nutrition and Fear”
    • Dr. Marianne Wondrak: “Ruminant Training at Gut Aiderbichl”
  • 3-day Workshop “Reward-based Art of Riding” with Angelica Hesselius in Oberkreuzstetten, Austria
  • 5-day Workshop at the Animal Training Center Graz “Intensive-Animal-Training-Week: Focus Topic: Group Training”
  • Online Course “Fit Fascia – make your horse smooth and relaxed” with Stefanie Ruisinger
  • Webinar: “Somatic Experiencing For Animals” with Sarah Schlote
  • 2-day Workshop with Rachael Draaisma: “Calming Signals and Advanced Scentwork for Horses”
  • Webinar “Nerve Impingement and Hoof Balance” with Yogi Sharp and Celeste Lazaris (The Equine Education Hub)
  • Webinar “Fascia-Training Part 1-3” by Franz Grünbeck (https://www.horse-bodyforming.com)

2022

 

2021

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

2017

2016

  • 3-tägige Fortbildung mit Lucie Klaassen
    • Body Awareness for Horses
    • Balanced Rider and Horse Clinic
  • Co-Organisation und Besuch der European Conference on Behavioural Biology (ECBB) in Wien.
  • 1-tägige Fortbildung: Akademische Reitkunst mit Bent Branderup 
  • Pferde-Fütterungsvortrag 2 (Zivilisationskrankheiten) von Dr. Christina Fritz
  • Pferde-Fütterungsvortrag 1 von Dr. Christina Fritz
  • 2-tägige Straightness Training Mastery Clinic mit Marijke de Jong
    • gymnastizierende Bodenarbeit
    • Arbeit an der Hand
    • Longieren
    • Freiarbeit
    • Reiten
  • 3-tägige Fortbildung mit Lucie Klaassen: 
    • Body Awareness for Riders
    • Balanced Rider and Horse Clinic
  • 2-tägige Sitzschulung nach Eckart Meyners u. Centered Riding bei Rosi Schreiber-Jetzinger
  • 4 tägiges Seminar und Workshop  “Teaching Animals” bei “Happy Fellow”
    • Ken Ramirez: Reinforcement Strategies & Concept Training 
    • Susan Friedman: The Technology of Behavior Change and It’s Ethical Application & Reducing Problem Behavior with Positive Reinforcement
    • Helen Philipps: Measuring the Effect of Stimuli and its use in Control Training of the Working Gundog & Practical Application of Control Training for the Working Gundog
    • 4 tägiger Intensiv-Privatworkshop bei Lucie Klaassen und ihren beiden Lehrpferden zum Thema Reitersitz, gymnastizierende Bodenarbeit, etc.

2015

2014