Animal Training

Pole-and-collar-and-chair training

All the monkeys I have pole/collar/chair trained have gone through an initial phase of resistance both when the pole was being attached to the collar, and when they were first put into the chair, but for the most part they...

Year Published: 2008Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Skoumbourdis, E. K. 2008. Pole-and-collar-and-chair training. Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum (electronic discussion group), January 24, 2008.

Habituation and desensitization as methods for reducing fearful behavior in singly housed rhesus macaques

Operant conditioning using positive reinforcement techniques has been used extensively in the management of nonhuman primates in both zoological and laboratory settings. This research project was intended to test the usefulness of counter-conditioning techniques in reducing the fear-responses of singly...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Clay, A. W., Bloomsmith, M. A., Jackson Marr, M. et al. 2009. Habituation and desensitization as methods for reducing fearful behavior in singly housed rhesus macaques. American Journal of Primatology 71(1), 30-39.

Effects of positive reinforcement training on infant behavioral development in nursery-reared rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

At the California National Primate Research Center, one key to long-term success of macaque breeding colonies is to develop effective infant-rearing strategies that minimize the emergence of behavioral pathologies, which can be one indicator of welfare. Positive reinforcement training (PRT)...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Animal Training, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Brunelli, R. L., Gottlieb, D., Holcomb, K. et al. 2009. Effects of positive reinforcement training on infant behavioral development in nursery-reared rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 71(S1), 74. (32nd Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #136)

Effects of positive reinforcement training techniques on the psychological welfare of zoo-housed chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Captive environments encompass various factors that can elevate stress levels and jeopardize the wellbeing of the captive animals. The use of positive reinforcement training (PRT) techniques enables researchers and caretakers to reduce tension directly associated with potentially stressful procedures and...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Pomerantz, O., Terkel, J. 2009. Effects of positive reinforcement training techniques on the psychological welfare of zoo-housed chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). American Journal of Primatology 71(8), 687-695.

Applications of positive reinforcement training in captive orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) and Taiwanese macaques (Macaca cyclopsis)

PRT is a good way of shaping the behavior of captive animals and doing so can make the animals less stressed to promote their well being. PRT is commonly used by captive animal organizations in many countries, but not in...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Lee, S., Su, H. 2009. Applications of positive reinforcement training in captive orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) and Taiwanese macaques (Macaca cyclopsis). American Journal of Primatology 71(S1), 34. (32nd Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #16)

Positive reinforcement training in rhesus macaques – training progress as a result of training frequency

Positive reinforcement training (PRT) efficiency was examined as a function of training frequency in 33 pair- or triple-housed female rhesus macaques. The animals were trained three times a week, once a day or twice a day, using PRT and a...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Fernström, A. L., Fredlund, H., Spångberg, M. et al. 2009. Positive reinforcement training in rhesus macaques - training progress as a result of training frequency. American Journal of Primatology 71(5), 373-379.

Operant training differences between male and female group-housed nonhuman primates

Our study group consisted of 16 male (2.24-2.80 kg) and 16 female (1.96-2.91 kg) Chinese cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis), 2.5-3.5 years of age, that were housed in groups of 4. Our goal was to train the animals to come to...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Egeler, J. 2009. Operant training differences between male and female group-housed nonhuman primates. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 14(6), 4.

The use of positive reinforcement with Göttinger minipigs

Experimental procedures, such as dosing, weighing, and physical exams are usual parameters included in nonclinical safety and efficacy studies using laboratory animals. Many of these procedures are often associated with discomfort for the animals and restraint is necessary, which can...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Brodersen, T., Glerup, P., Mølgaard, S. et al. 2010. The use of positive reinforcement with Göttinger minipigs. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 721-722 (Abstract #P128).

Positive reinforcement training as enrichment for singly housed rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Positive reinforcement training is one component of behavioural management employed to improve psychological well-being. There has been regulatory promotion to compensate for restricted social housing in part by providing human interaction to singly caged primates, implying an efficacy standard for...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Baker, K. C., Bloomsmith, M. A., Neu, K. et al. 2010. Positive reinforcement training as enrichment for singly housed rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Animal Welfare 19(3), 307-313.

A socialization program to improve research dog adoption rates

Investigators using companion animals for research are often faced with the dilemma of what to do with healthy animals when a study is complete. At our institution, it is not uncommon for investigators to submit protocols that allow or require...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Animal Training, Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Burgess, W., French, E. D., Kendall, L. V. 2010. A socialization program to improve research dog adoption rates. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 714 (Abstract #P104).