Episode
Understanding Assent and Degrees of Freedom with Kim Palermo [Episode 283]
- Podcast
- Animal Training Academy
- Published
- Jun 29, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3885
- Processing state
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Summary
In this insightful and thought-provoking conversation, Ryan Cartlidge is joined by Kim Palermo—a Certified Control Unleashed Instructor (CCUI) and Animal Centred Education (ACE) Practitioner with over 20 years of professional experience in the dog training industry. A lifelong animal enthusiast who owns Blue Dog training and walking business near Boston, Kim brings a blend of academic rigor, from her degree in zoology, and compassionate curiosity to her work with dogs and other species. Together, Ryan and Kim explore the power of observation and the critical importance of creating "safe spaces" for learners to process information. Kim shares her personal journey from a "crossover trainer" to a passionate advocate for positive reinforcement, emphasizing how her own experiences with chronic pain and ADHD have shaped her empathetic, trauma-informed approach to training. They discuss how professional mentors—including the late Gail Fisher, Julie Daniels, and Sarah Fisher—have left an indelible mark on her career and the industry at large. A major focus of the discussion is the innovative concept Kim calls "opt-out stations." By integrating ACE Free Work and Control Unleashed principles, Kim explains how giving dogs the freedom to choose when to engage and when to take a break can drastically reduce frustration and increase clarity in training. She breaks down the science of assent versus consent and the role of "degrees of freedom" in allowing animals to participate in their own learning process without the pressure of perceived coercion. Whether she is working with high-level sports dogs or rescue dogs with complex histories, Kim demonstrates how these simple environmental adjustments can transform a struggling learner into an enthusiastic, confident partner. Throughout t…