Animal Training

Nonhuman Primate Welfare: From History, Science, and Ethics to Practice

This volume reviews the broad topic of welfare in nonhuman primates under human care. Chapters detail the history of primates in captivity, ethical and legal issues surrounding the use of nonhuman primates as entertainment or in research, the different approaches...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Personality, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Robinson, L. M., Weiss, A. (Eds.) 2023. Nonhuman Primate Welfare: From History, Science, and Ethics to Practice. Springer, Cham, Switzerland. 671 p.

Regular positive reinforcement training increases contact-seeking behaviour in horses

Horses are commonly trained using negative reinforcement. However, a growing body of scientific evidence supports positive reinforcement as an efficient training method for horses. In this study we investigated the effects of adding a small but regular amount of positive...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Larssen, R., Roth, L. S. V. 2022. Regular positive reinforcement training increases contact-seeking behaviour in horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 252, 105651.

Using classical and operant conditioning to train a shifting behavior in juvenile false water cobras (Hydrodynastes gigas)

All animals have the capacity to learn through operant conditioning and other types of learning, and as a result, zoos and other animal care facilities have shifted towards the use of positive reinforcement training to shape the behavior of animals...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Reptile, Snake

Citation: Williams, M. L., Torrini, L. A., Nolan, E. J. et al. 2022. Using classical and operant conditioning to train a shifting behavior in juvenile false water cobras (Hydrodynastes gigas). Animals 12(10), 1229.

Considering sustenance preference to motivate and enhance NHP learning and performance

Finding and utilizing the specific taste preferences of the rhesus macaque in the laboratory setting can be a valuable step towards promoting cooperative, positively reinforced training. It can also be a wonderful tool for enrichment by allowing the subject to...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Animal Training, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Gregoire, A. 2022. Considering sustenance preference to motivate and enhance NHP learning and performance. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 10(1) (January/February), 12-14.

Development and implementation of a positive reinforcement training program for nonhuman primates in biomedical research

Despite clear benefits of PRT for NHPs and biomedical research, investigators often view the investment in personnel expertise and time required to train animals as deterrents towards adopting PRT. We provide an example of how this framework could be implemented...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Animal Training, Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Guerrero-Martin, S. M., Brill, S., Carlson, B. W. 2022. Development and implementation of a positive reinforcement training program for nonhuman primates in biomedical research. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 10(1) (January/February), 48-52.

Effect of cooperative care training on physiological parameters and compliance in dogs undergoing a veterinary examination – A pilot study

One way to reduce fear and lack of compliance during veterinary procedures is ‘cooperative care training', training animals to voluntarily participate in husbandry and medical care. Here we assessed the effects of cooperative care training on heart rate (HR), heart...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Wess, L., Böhm, A., Schützinger, M. et al. 2022. Effect of cooperative care training on physiological parameters and compliance in dogs undergoing a veterinary examination – A pilot study. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 250, 105615.

Practical Canine Behaviour: For Veterinary Nurses and Technicians (2nd ed)

In this book Stephanie Hedges draws on more than 20 years as a practicing veterinary nurse and her training as a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB). She provides a quick reference and practically relevant canine behaviour resource to meet both...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Animal Training, Handling, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Hodges, S. 2021. Practical Canine Behaviour: For Veterinary Nurses and Technicians (2nd ed). CABI, Wallingford, UK.

Training as enrichment: A critical review

Husbandry training and environmental enrichment are both important advancements associated with current behavioural welfare practices. Additionally, the use of training procedures has been proposed as a form of enrichment, with the implication that training can produce beneficial behavioural welfare results....

Year Published: 2022Topics: Animal Training, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Fernandez, E. J. 2022. Training as enrichment: A critical review. Animal Welfare 31(1), 1-12.

Dogs are more pessimistic if their owners use two or more aversive training methods

Domestic dogs are trained using a range of different methods, broadly categorised as reward based (positive reinforcement/negative punishment) and aversive based (positive punishment/negative reinforcement). Previous research has suggested associations between use of positive punishment-based techniques and undesired behaviours, but there...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Animal Training, Emotion, Pain, & SentienceAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Casey, R. A., Naj-Oleari, M., Campbell, S. et al. 2021. Dogs are more pessimistic if their owners use two or more aversive training methods. Scientific Reports 11(1), 19023.

Effects of positive reinforcement training for heifers on responses to a subcutaneous injection

Cattle are subjected to routine procedures that require restraint and close contact to humans, which are both potentially aversive to the animal. Positive reinforcement training techniques may affect how animals perceive and respond to these procedures. The objectives of the...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Animal Training, Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Lomb, J., Mauger, A., von Keyserlingk, M. A. G. et al. 2021. Effects of positive reinforcement training for heifers on responses to a subcutaneous injection. Journal of Dairy Science 104(5), 6146-6158.