Animal Training

The use of enrichment to facilitate data collection in a pig study

Recently a researcher approached our large animal facility manager about housing 19, 2-mo-old piglets and assisting with data collection. Part of the protocol required that the piglets be fed an individually measured high-sugar/high-fat diet over a period of 16 wk....

Year Published: 2011Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Neubauer, T., Betts, T., Evans, C. 2011. The use of enrichment to facilitate data collection in a pig study. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 762-763 (Abstract #P80).

Common Marmoset Care [Online resource]

The three main divisions of 'marmosetcare.com' aim respectively to promote: an understanding of the range of behaviour in this species, placing this behaviour in the context of its natural habitat and promoting good welfare in captive environments. Topics covered in...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: NC3Rs, University of Stirling. 2011. Common Marmoset Care [Online resource].

Structures and functions that facilitate the voluntary participation of chimpanzees in research/medical procedures

Training captive nonhuman primates to voluntarily participate in a variety of necessary research and medical procedures is a valuable refinement in the management of captive primates. For the purposes of this talk, training programs require at least two things to...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Schapiro, S. J., Lambeth, S. P., Malling, R. et al. 2011. Structures and functions that facilitate the voluntary participation of chimpanzees in research/medical procedures. American Journal of Primatology 73(S1), 35. (34th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #7)

Acclimation of cynomolgus monkeys to pole and collar chair restraint: Creating efficiency and improving quality

Cynomolgus monkeys are acclimated in-house during their 4- to 5-wk quarantine period to pole and collar chair restraint to facilitate safe handling and adequate immobility for study procedures like oral gavage and blood collection. Acclimation is both human resource and...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Animal Training, RestraintAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Rubino, S., Smith, R., Nagy, Z. et al. 2011. Acclimation of cynomolgus monkeys to pole and collar chair restraint: Creating efficiency and improving quality. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 784 (Abstract #P181).

Establishing a positive reinforcement training program in neotropical primates: A comparison of squirrel and owl monkeys

To enhance the psychological well-being of non-human primates, many biomedical facilities use positivereinforcement training (PRT) techniques to encourage voluntary participation in husbandry and clinical procedures.PRT increases the animal?s control over its environment and desensitizes the animal to stressful stimuli. However,the...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey

Citation: Rogge, J. R., Sherenco, K. D., Malling, R. et al. 2011. Establishing a positive reinforcement training program in neotropical primates: A comparison of squirrel and owl monkeys. American Journal of Primatology 73(S1), 84. (34th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #157)

Nonhuman primate positive reinforcement training: Flexible resource approach

In a review of current literature on positive reinforcement training, the majority of sources suggest that in order to produce results worthy of the time investment, training sessions must be held 2 to 3 times per week at regular intervals....

Year Published: 2011Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Rambo, M. 2011. Nonhuman primate positive reinforcement training: Flexible resource approach. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 777 (Abstract #P149).

A case study employing operant conditioning to reduce stress of capture for red-bellied tamarins (Saguinus labiatus)

Traditional techniques used to capture New World monkeys, such as net capture, can induce high levels of acute stress detrimental to welfare. Alternatively, training nonhuman animals via operant conditioning to voluntarily participate in husbandry and/or veterinary practices is accepted as...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Animal Training, HandlingAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Owen, Y., Amory, J. R. 2011. A case study employing operant conditioning to reduce stress of capture for red-bellied tamarins (Saguinus labiatus). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 14(2), 124-137.

Training rhesus macaques for conscious blood sampling in six steps

Step 1 Gently squeeze the animal about halfway towards you. Hold the animal in place for about 1 to 2 seconds.We use this time to talk to the animal calmly in a gentle voice. When the time is up, release...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Weissman-Socci, S., Ray, K. D. 2011. Training rhesus macaques for conscious blood sampling in six steps. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 16(6), 3.

Training rats to shift into clean cages by using operant conditioning with positive reinforcement

Changing soiled cages is an integral part of husbandry, yet it can be a source of stress for both animal and animal care technician. In one case, large geriatric rats weighing around 1 kg did not have a positive response...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Animal Training, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Severs, E., Leszcynski, J. 2012. Training rats to shift into clean cages by using operant conditioning with positive reinforcement. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 632-633 (Abstract #PS8).

Individual differences in temperament and behavioral management practices for nonhuman primates

This review will examine how individual differences in temperament might affect, or be affected by, behavioral management practices for captive primates. Measuring temperament may help us predict the outcome of social introductions. It can also predict which animals may be...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Husbandry & Management, PersonalityAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Coleman, K. 2012. Individual differences in temperament and behavioral management practices for nonhuman primates. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 137(3-4), 106-113.