Animal Training

Positive reinforcement training improves behaviour and welfare of captive Indian leopards (Panthera pardus fusca)

Rescued animals, including leopards, often experience stress from routine husbandry practices such as feeding, movement, and regrouping. Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) has emerged as a valuable tool for reducing stress and enhancing the welfare of captive animals. This study investigated...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Mane, A. M., Deshmukh, A., Gupta, B. K. 2025. Positive reinforcement training improves behaviour and welfare of captive Indian leopards (Panthera pardus fusca). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 28(4), 715–729.

Positive reinforcement training: Old world NHPs

Positive reinforcement training (PRT) is increasingly used to refine scientific and husbandry procedures involving Old-World nonhuman primates (NHPs) around the globe. PRT provides mental stimulation as well as reduces stress for NHPs. This will lead to better overall wellbeing and...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Harbin, T. 2025. Positive reinforcement training: Old world NHPs. Animal Technology and Welfare 24(2), 165–167.

Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals

This 30-chapter volume informs students and professionals about the behavioral biology of animals commonly housed in laboratory and other captive settings. Each species evolved under specific environmental conditions, resulting in unique behavioral patterns, many of which are maintained in captivity...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Amphibian, Baboon, Capuchin, Cat, Cattle, Chicken, Crocodile & Alligator, Dog, Equine, Ferret, Finch, Fish, Fowl, Frog & Toad, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lizard, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Owl Monkey, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Reptile, Rodent, Salamander, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey), Zebrafish

Citation: Coleman, K., Schapiro, S. J. (Eds.) 2022. Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals (1st Ed.). CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 560 p.

Medical training in dairy heifers – A pilot study

Training is used in various species to reduce fear responses, ease handling, and improve welfare. This pilot study aimed to (1) design a positive reinforcement training program for dairy heifers, (2) monitor their learning performances and short-term memorization, (3) assess...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: de Boyer des Roches, A., Dumoulin, E., Roux, E. et al. 2025. Medical training in dairy heifers – A pilot study. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 286, 106624.

A single-dose pharmacokinetic study of metronidazole administered to Gottingen minipigs (Sus scrofa) by oral gavage or voluntary oral dosing

Oral gavage (OG) dosing can be stressful to pigs and is associated with the risk of complications. To evaluate a potential refinement, we compared the pharmacokinetics of a drug with a known aversive taste (metronidazole) administered orally to 6 Gottingen...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Animal Training, Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Cooper, D. M., Rainey, A., Rosenfeld, C. et al. 2025. A single-dose pharmacokinetic study of metronidazole administered to Gottingen minipigs (Sus scrofa) by oral gavage or voluntary oral dosing. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 64(3), 514–519.

Blood sampling in Göttingen minipigs—a case study of two standard methods and clicker training as a restraint-free alternative (2025)

Blood sampling often requires restraint that negatively affects animal welfare. This case study evaluated three methods for jugular vein blood sampling (V-bench, sling, and clicker training) with the overall aim of assessing the negative impact on animal welfare and providing...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, RestraintAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Schiøler, K., Jensen, M. L., Sørensen, D. B. 2025. Blood sampling in Göttingen minipigs—a case study of two standard methods and clicker training as a restraint-free alternative. Animals 15(3), 407.

A positive-reinforcement training regimen for refined sample collection in laboratory pigs (2025)

Positive-reinforcement training of laboratory pigs can reduce the reliance on forced manual restraint and anaesthesia for sample collection, reducing stress and physiological disruption. Training regimens for laboratory pigs typically rely on specialised equipment for restraint, such as Panepinto slings, with...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, RestraintAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Layton, R., Beggs, D., Fisher, A. et al. 2025. A positive-reinforcement training regimen for refined sample collection in laboratory pigs. Animals 15(4), 471.

Home-cage training for non-human primates: an opportunity to reduce stress and study natural behavior in neurophysiology experiments (2025)

Research involving non-human primates remains a cornerstone in fields such as biomedical research and systems neuroscience. However, the daily routines of laboratory work can induce stress in these animals, potentially compromising their well-being and the reliability of experimental outcomes. To...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Gibbon, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Ceccarelli, F., Londei, F., Arena, G. et al. 2025. Home-Cage Training for Non-Human Primates: An Opportunity to Reduce Stress and Study Natural Behavior in Neurophysiology Experiments. Animals 15(9), 1340.

The 3Hs Initiative—Housing, handling, and habituation

We have looked at our housing, handling and habituation approaches to identify areas to make improvements. This is critical for our resaerch outputs and has the benefit of reducing the cumulative suffering the animals experience by reducing stress and negative...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Animal Training, Drug/Substance Administration, Handling, Housing, RestraintAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Bartlett, J., Hinchcliffe, J., Jackson, M. et al. 2024. The 3Hs Initiative—Housing, handling, and habituation. Animal Technology and Welfare 23(2), 91–99.

Positive reinforcement-based magnet training permits social housing in catheterized squirrel monkeys

Background: Non-human primates play a critical role in neuroscience research. Though they are social animals, laboratory study requirements can sometimes require single housing and thereby prevent social housing. New Method: To eliminate single housing and promote well-being within our squirrel...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Squirrel Monkey

Citation: Johansen, A. N., Figueroa-Monsanto, H. L., Hecker, J. C. et al. 2025. Positive reinforcement-based magnet training permits social housing in catheterized squirrel monkeys. Journal of Neuroscience Methods 413, 110313.