Animal Training

Flight to freedom: Behavior modification of an undomesticated pigeon using human interaction

The white-crowned pigeon, Patagioenas leucocephala, is a species of bird not often used in research. This may be related to its anxiety during normal human interactions, such as with cage changing. Our institution acquired a single, male, white-crowned pigeon after...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Bird, Other Bird

Citation: Glaspell, S. 2020. Flight to freedom: Behavior modification of an undomesticated pigeon using human interaction. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 8(2) (March/April), 58-61.

Handling and training of mice and rats results in calmer animals during experimental procedures

This article describes the handling and training protocols for mice and rats in preparation for their use in toxicology studies at the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE).

Year Published: 2020Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Bengtsson, C., Eriksson, M. 2020. Handling and training of mice and rats results in calmer animals during experimental procedures. AWI Quarterly 69(2) Summer, 6-8.

It’s Okay to Cry – Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum [LAREF], Volume V

This is the 5th volume of selected discussions that took place on the electronic Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum between February 2016 and December 2019. The forum was created in October 2002; it allows the international animal care community...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Drug/Substance Administration, Environmental Enrichment, External Bodily Equipment, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Cat, Chinchilla, Dog, Ferret, Guinea Pig, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Reinhardt, V. (ed.) 2020. It’s Okay to Cry - Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum [LAREF], Volume V. Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, DC.

Nursing and training of pigs used in renal transplantation studies

The pig is commonly used in renal transplantation studies since the porcine kidney resembles the human kidney. To meet the requirements of intense caretaking and examination without stress, a 2-week socialisation and training programme was developed. Conventional cross-breed pigs (n = 36)...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Animal Training, Disease/Experimental ModelAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Rydén, A., Manell, E., Biglarnia, A. et al. 2020. Nursing and training of pigs used in renal transplantation studies. Laboratory Animals 54(5), 469-478.

Piggy see, piggy do: A swine training program enhances animal welfare and research

Becton Dickinson (BD) Animal Research Program developed an extensive training and environmental enrichment program to acclimate newly arrived swine to daily husbandry routines. The program seeks to build trust between swine and animal care and research staff from human-animal interactions....

Year Published: 2020Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: de la Garza, F., Cannon, C. Z. 2020. Piggy see, piggy do: A swine training program enhances animal welfare and research. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 8(2) (March/April), 54-57.

No bullies allowed! Co-operative feeding as a means to enhance the welfare of ‘sub-ordinates’

This article describes a protocol for training capuchins for co-operative feeding. Three months after beginning the training, the two dominant individuals consistently stay stationed, calmly focused, and the keeper is able to hand the subordinate a treat at her station...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Animal Training, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Capuchin, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Morrin, Y. 2020. No bullies allowed! Co-operative feeding as a means to enhance the welfare of 'sub-ordinates'. RATEL (Journal of the Association of British and Irish Wild Animal Keepers) 47(1), 18-19.

Pole-and-collar training of macaques: a discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum

I am currently pole-and-collar training one of our adult pair-housed rhesus females and hope to get her to graduate to the chair in the next few weeks. Winnie remains sitting when I move the pole towards her but squirms when...

Year Published: 2005Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Down, N., Skoumbourdis, E., Walsh, M., et al. Pole-and-collar training of macaques: a discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum Animal Technology and Welfare 4(3), 157-161 (2005)

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.