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126 7 The Art of ‘Active’ Training

VetBooks.ir prompts, cues, targets, bait sticks, etc. too Some trainers say they don’t want to change
their plan because they want to avoid confus-
close to an animal. For instance, giving an
open mouth cue right at the bars or mesh
they have started, or they are sure their plan
barrier might cause an animal to focus ing the animal, or they want to build on what
intently on the hand to try and bite or lick it will work if given enough time. If the animal
(Figure 7.3). is motivated to participate in training and the
Move the hand back 3 or 4 inches and the plan isn’t working then chances are the ani-
animal gets a different perspective on the mal is already confused. To continue on the
situation and will be more likely to perform a same path may lead to more confusion, frus-
behaviour in response to the cue. Expert tration, aggression, or the animal simply
trainers understand the critical distances walking away from the session. A skilled
associated with presenting cues and prompts trainer can see when the animal’s body lan-
in ways that provide clear communication of guage encourages moving forward according
contingencies. to the plan, or to jettison the plan and start a
new one. Training plans should be dynamic
not dogmatic.
7.3.2 Shared Information
As trainers we bring only part of the informa- 7.3.3 Event Markers
tion to the training session. No matter how
much time, effort, and thought we put into Whistles and clickers may be effective audi-
the training plan – or how many managers tory event markers when an animal is work-
have approved it – the animal’s contribution ing away from a trainer or in a crowded or
to the information in the session is just as noisy environment where a trainer’s voice
important as the information we bring to the may not be heard. Visual event markers, such
session. The best training occurs when the as movement of the hand or even turning the
trainer is flexible to change the plan when an body or walking a certain direction can be
animal’s body language suggests an alterna- strong bridging stimuli for animals across an
tive approach will produce better results. exhibit that are taught to hold on a particular

Figure 7.3 An excellent open-mouth behaviour, but moving the hand away from the mesh a bit may allow
this lion to see more of it’s environment, including the training and the cue. Source: Steve Martin.