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Welfare-focused animal training

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Abstract

This chapter takes a contemporary approach to training and its role in the care and welfare of captive and companion animals. The latest scientific evidence and ethical grounding are used to provide a chapter of fundamental knowledge and everyday practical tips. With a focus on the principles of operant conditioning and providing learners with choice and control, this chapter will help readers to improve the lives and welfare of the animals in their care. Case studies and training plans are provided throughout.

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Figures

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6.1 Arican wild dogs at ZSL London Zoo with GPS monitoring collars attached via trained behaviour. (Courtesy of Luke Harvey)
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6.2 Foundation behaviours. (a) This keeper is reinforcing a red forest duiker for displaying calm behaviour. (bi) This rabbit has been trained to touch a target with the end of its nose. (bii) This emperor tamarin has been taught to touch a target with its hand. The principles of stationing are the same for (ci) dogs and cats as for (cii) pygmy goats. (ciii) This Asiatic lion is being stationed following an enriched feeding event. (d) This Sumatran tiger is receiving a food reinforcer following a recall behaviour. (e) This rabbit is being trained to travel in a pet carrier. (a, bii, cii, courtesy of the Zoological Society of London; bi, e, courtesy of Barbara Heidenreich; d, courtesy of Darren Martin)
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6.3 (a) A food lure is being used to prompt the cat to enter the crate. (b) The food lure is phased out and replaced with a finger tap. (c) Presenting food at the front of the crate encourages the cat to turn around. The food lure is then faded and replaced with the verbal cue ‘turn around’. (d) Slowing the rate of reinforcement teaches the cat to sit in the crate for longer periods. (e) The cat is reinforced upon leaving the crate, having demonstrated the complete behaviour of entering and sitting calmly with the door shut.
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6.4 This guinea pig is learning to walk on to a tray containing a canvas cloth. Teaching the behaviour of walking into a crate affords the animal more agency than manually picking it up. (Courtesy of Annette Pedersen)
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6.5 A strong reinforcement history between the animal and human makes it much easier to carry out simple procedures such as (a) nail trimming and (b) applying eye ointment without causing undue stress. (Courtesy of Annette Pedersen)
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6.6 Scale training uses stationing behaviour to facilitate weighing an animal. (a) This guinea pig is being weighed under a familiar shelter, an example of antecedent arrangement to train new behaviours. (b) The scales for this meerkat have been placed on a raised surface, which makes it easier to train one individual at a time. (c) This okapi is demonstrating both stationing and targeting behaviours, allowing it to be weighed and measured. (a, Courtesy of Barbara Heidenreich; b, c, Courtesy of the Zoological Society of London)
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6.7 The custom-made T perch that helped Ruby to sit on the scales is an example of antecedent arrangement.
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6.8 (a) Trained behaviour allows examination of this giraffe’s foot without anaesthesia and facilitates radiography and hoof trimming. (b) This hippopotamus is voluntarily allowing dental care to be carried out using trained targeting behaviour. (a, Courtesy of Anusia Acus; b, Courtesy of the Zoological Society of London)
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