Page 182 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

154 8 Integrating Training into Animal Husbandry

VetBooks.ir the materials to them as a group. The discus­ them to keep in contact with peers at multiple
institutions with whom they can discuss ani­
sion around the practical application of the
theory, i.e. ‘how to actually do it,’ is impor­
to train animals or species they don’t normally
tant. Translating theory to real life situations mal training. Give your team the opportunity
will provide a deeper understanding of ani­ have the opportunity to work with. Of course,
mal learning theory and increase the teams’ all of these activities should be done only after
retention of the information. consideration of human and animal safety and
Developing a common language around the trained animal’s welfare. All activities will
the theory will ensure that everyone is on the need forethought and planning in order to be
same page during formal and informal dis­ successful.
cussions about animal training. You will want
to create a dictionary or formal list of the 8.4.2 Observation
terms, and their meaning(s), used by your
team (see Glossary). Whilst there is wide var­ Training is a skill of observation and timing.
iation in the preferred length of the terminol­ To train well, you need to know what behav­
ogy lists for animal training, there is no ideal iour you want the animal to perform and
length of list. The right list length is whatever respond quickly to the animal when it per­
will work for your culture, in your institution, forms this behaviour appropriately. Before
coupled with the professional norms for the training an animal, new zoo professionals
species that you work with. Established ter­ should work on their ability to observe and
minology enables accurate communication identify behaviour of animals and the timing
within the team, and with peers, about the of their responses to these animals by observ­
training. If all of this can be accomplished, ing staff who are more seasoned and skilled
then the terminology list is appropriate. in animal training. In addition to observing
Common terms for quick reference are staff, team members should also observe the
best practice, but all leaders must be cautious specific animals they will be training to see
of the inefficiency pitfalls that accompany how they move and what motivates their
copious or hazy team terms. Terms can behaviour.
become cumbersome and get in the way of a Observing others train is important in the
team’s goals, when unspecified or unneces­ learning process. Everything about observing
sary terms highjack a discussion of what’s a training session can be useful, including
occurring in a programme and lead the team where and how to stand and position your
into a linguistic quagmire. body, how to interpret the animals’ behav­
Methods that can be adopted to help train iour, what safety precautions to use, timing,
you and your team include observations, pro­ reinforcement delivery, what behaviour is
fessional development, and practical applica­ being reinforced, how to begin and end a
tion. If it can be arranged, observing someone training session, how to use the various train­
else train and the discussions you have there­ ing tools available, and anything else you see
after about timing, techniques, approxima­ or ask about after the session. If the person
tions to the target behaviour, etc. are quite training is experienced and would not be dis­
valuable. Top athletes spend copious amounts tracted, and if it is safe to do so, the trainer
of time reviewing and studying game may be able to talk and explain what they are
films – both of their own teams and oth­ doing during the training session.
ers – observing and learning. Borrowing a When a new trainer begins training an ani­
page out of the professional sports playbook mal for the first time, it is helpful to first cue
may be in order to help your team reach their behaviours that have been previously trained
highest potential. Make sure your team is by others. This provides an opportunity to
knowledgeable on the latest research and pub­ work on safety awareness, observation skills,
lications on animal training and encourage timing, food delivery, and tool coordination.