Animal Training

Behavioral responses by singly-housed adult rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) during human interaction and positive reinforcement training

Males complied with significantly more commands, and overall learned significantly more basic husbandry commands than females. Trainers should expect agonistic responses to increase throughout the training process.

Year Published: 2007Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Maloney, M. A., Baker, K. C., Griffis, C. et al. 2007. Behavioral responses by singly-housed adult rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) during human interaction and positive reinforcement training. American Journal of Primatology 69(S1), 53. (30th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #49)

Chapter 7.4. Pole-and-collar training of macaques

While strictly using positive reinforcement and applying patient gentle-firmness, most macaques can be trained to cooperate during the pole-attachment-chairing procedure. Some cannot be trained, because they have problems overcoming their often-legitimate mistrust of humans.

Year Published: 2007Topics: Animal Training, Handling, RestraintAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: LAREF [Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum] 2007. Chapter 7.4. Pole-and-collar training of macaques. In: Making Lives Easier for Animals in Research Labs: Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum. Baumans, V., Coke, C., Green, J., Moreau, E., Morton, D., Patterson-Kane, E., Reinhardt, A., Reinhardt, V., Van Loo, P. (eds), 127-130. Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, DC.

Chapter 7.2. Injection and Blood Collection? How to minimize Stress Reactions

If the animals are under stress while you are working with them, there is a great risk that they show aggressive reactions to you, in an attempt to get away from the stressful situation. One of the conditions of successful...

Year Published: 2007Topics: Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: LAREF [Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum] 2007. Chapter 7.2. Injection and Blood Collection?How to minimize Stress Reactions. In: Making Lives Easier for Animals in Research Labs: Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum. Baumans, V., Coke, C., Green, J., Moreau, E., Morton, D., Patterson-Kane, E., Reinhardt, A., Reinhardt, V., Van Loo, P. (eds), 117-124. Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, DC.

Applied behavior”” panel discussion

Adriane and Kris just trained eight rhesus monkeys to present their arms in the blood sleeve for blood samples, and it took, on average ... 8 months ... 160 minutes spread out into 40 sessions.

Year Published: 2007Topics: Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Schapiro, S. J., Laule, G., Seelig, D. 2007. "Applied behavior" panel discussion. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 10(1), 79-81.

Components of an animal training program at a large institution

The application of positive reinforcement training (PRT) has increased in zoological, laboratory, and research settings in recent years, however there is little literature pertaining to the development and implementation of such programs. Over the past year, Yerkes National Primate Research...

Year Published: 2007Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: McMillan, J. L., Perlman, J. E., Bloomsmith, M. A. 2007. Components of an animal training program at a large institution. American Journal of Primatology 69(S1), 117. (30th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #177)

Enforced restraint of rodents: A discussion by the Refinement & Enrichment Forum

The question was asked: "Rodents are often restrained for data collection procedures, such as blood collection and injection, by coaxing them into tubes, for example syringe cylinders or perspex tubes. What can be done to buffer the stress response of...

Year Published: 2007Topics: Animal Training, RestraintAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Barley, J., Mikkelsen, L. F., Francis, R. et al. 2007. Enforced restraint of rodents: A discussion by the Refinement & Enrichment Forum. Animal Technology and Welfare 6(1), 11-13.

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.