Animal Training

Making use of a laser pointer as training and enrichment tool: A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum

We have successfully trained with a laser pointer at least one cyno in each pair/group to target to their lixits. Currently this stands at about 35 cages housing a total of 63 animals. We no longer need to check the...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Animal Training, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Ferraro, A., Brunelli, R., Nelsen, S. L. et al. 2013. Making use of a laser pointer as training and enrichment tool: A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum. Animal Technology and Welfare 12, 195-196.

Desensitization in the African Green model

A cooperative environment is paramount when working with nonhuman primates (NHP). Desensitization to specific stimulus helps to allow technicians to more safely perform procedures without the use of anesthetics, and with minimal restraint, greatly reducing stress in the NHP. Creating...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Devine, L. 2013. Desensitization in the African Green model. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 642 (Abstract #P52).

Syringe training family groups of marmosets at Dstl

Year Published: 2013Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Cummins, K. 2013. Syringe training family groups of marmosets at Dstl. Animal Technology and Welfare 11, 137-139.

Compassion Makes a Difference – Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum [LAREF], Volume III

This is the third volume of discussions that took place on the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum (LAREF). This forum is dedicated to the exchange of personal experiences of refining the conditions under which animals are housed and handled...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Animal Training, Drug/Substance Administration, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Amphibian, Baboon, Cat, Chimpanzee, Dog, Fish, Frog & Toad, Goat, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Reptile, Rodent, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey), Zebrafish

Citation: Reinhardt, V. (ed.) 2013. Compassion Makes a Difference - Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum [LAREF], Volume III. Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, DC.

Using positive reinforcement training (PRT) strategies to adapt adult male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) to daily handling demands

Research has shown animals are sensitive to environment changes and novel caretakers. The behavioral response to environmental change is often expressed as a decrease in willingness to comply or perform learned tasks. We assessed the acquisition of a shaping procedure...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Pierre, V., Wunsch, R., Perkins, C. et al. 2013. Using positive reinforcement training (PRT) strategies to adapt adult male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) to daily handling demands. American Journal of Primatology 75(S1), 67. (36th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #117)

Is training zoo animals enriching?

Husbandry training of zoo animals (training) has been associated with many benefits, and indisputably is a valuable tool; training facilitates movement of animals within their environment, and participation in husbandry and medical procedures. Training has also been considered to be...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Animal Training, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Amphibian, Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Crocodile & Alligator, Frog & Toad, Gibbon, Lemur, Lizard, Macaque, Marine Mammal, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Animal, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Reptile, Salamander, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Melfi, V. 2013. Is training zoo animals enriching? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 147, 299-305.

Using positive reinforcement training to refine daily medical treatment of a cynomolgus macaque

Medical care of nonhuman primates in a laboratory setting can be challenging due to the safety concerns inherent in handling conscious animals. A mature, adult male cynomolgus macaque presented with a chronic foot condition that required daily treatment by the...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Animal Training, Handling, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Andrews, C. 2014. Using positive reinforcement training to refine daily medical treatment of a cynomolgus macaque. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 565-566. (Abstract #P63).

Positive reinforcement training in a research setting: An introduction to sling training the Ossabaw pig

Over the past year, the large animal care staff at our institution was introduced to an unfamiliar breed of pig, the Ossabaw Island pig. Not only were they tasked with adapting to this unique research model in their facility, but...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Animal Training, Handling, RestraintAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Roller, J. E., Meyers, M. 2014. Positive reinforcement training in a research setting: An introduction to sling training the Ossabaw pig. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 539. (Abstract #PS51).

Training is enrichment – And beyond

With regards to the issue of animal training in the zoo community, there is some debate as to whether or not it should be considered a type of environmental enrichment (EE). This article suggests four criteria by which an intervention...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Westlund, K. 2014. Training is enrichment - And beyond. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 152, 1-6.

Behavioral management approach to facilitate use of pen-housed nonhuman primates for toxicology studies

Housing laboratory primates in large pens can improve welfare by providing ample opportunity to express normal social and locomotor behaviors. This type of housing, however, can present great challenges in terms of manipulating animals for study procedures. The use of...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Animal Training, Housing, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Strittmatter, R. R., Ferraro, A., Tiano, D. 2014. Behavioral management approach to facilitate use of pen-housed nonhuman primates for toxicology studies. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 539 (Abstract #PS53).