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7.4 Training Specific Behaviours 135

VetBooks.ir

Figure 7.4 This hippo is being trained to touch its nose to a target; this is often one of the first behaviours
included in a training programme. Source: Steve Martin.

schedule of reinforcement a trainer system- During shaping it is important to carefully
atically teaches the animal to hold progres- observe the topography of the target behav-
sively longer duration of hold behaviour. The iour that is being shaped. Some animals will
keepers at Denver Zoo taught a Spotted hyena try to bite a target during the shaping pro-
(Crocuta crocuta) to target its nose on a hand cess, others will try to nudge or push the tar-
target (closed fist) though the mesh barrier. get with their nose or mouth. One poorly
They extended the target hold behaviour to timed reinforcer can result in persistent bit-
several minutes. They used the target behav- ing at a target. Precise timing of the bridging
iour to raise the hyena’s head straight up whilst stimulus will help trainers shape for gentle
placing its shoulders against the mesh. In this contact and constant pressure of the body
position the hyena holds perfectly still with its part on the target.
nose targeting the keeper’s hand through the
mesh as the vet tech draws blood from the 7.4.2 Station Training
hyena’s jugular vein. Many primates are taught
to hold clips or carabineers attached to the Some trainers make the distinction between
mesh and positioned so that the animal’s arms target training and station training in that
are fully outstretched when performing the targets are moveable and stations are station-
behaviour. The location of these targets can ary objects, as their name suggests. A station
be adjusted to position the animal’s arms for can be a bench, rock, tree, stool, patch of
body examinations or even as a safety meas- grass, or any area that an animal can learn to
ure to position the animal’s hands away from go to and hold a position in relation to that
the keeper. The trainers at Maryland Zoo station. At Northwest Trek a keeper taught
taught several of their chimpanzees to station the North American porcupine (Erethizon
their arm away from their body so the keepers dorsatum) and North American beaver
can draw blood from the animal’s arm without (Castor canadensis) to station on tree stumps
an arm sleeve (Figure 7.5). instead of standing at the door when she