Page 359 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

Box C1 Training Animals in a Group Setting 331

VetBooks.ir animal(s) are thinking. Ultimately the behav- 1) Location: each animal has a location (sta-
tion) that is specific for them. This is
iour could break down and the animal could
stop paying attention or refused to participate in
forcement (Figure C1.5a).
future training sessions. A better solution would where they need to be to receive rein-
be to reward each animal for either waiting Advantage: the animal learns quickly
patiently or for performing a behaviour. With where it needs to be for the start of the
this method, the animals all receive attention session.
and reinforcement and it is likely to increase Disadvantage: can be difficult to move
their calm and patient behaviour whilst sta- the animals to different locations if
tioning in the locations the trainer would like necessary
them to be in. 2) Position: each animal is placed (stationed)
in a specific order in relation to each other
(Figure C1.5b).
Options Advantage: the animal learns quickly
where it needs to be for the start of the
When training animals in a group setting, session.
there are several possibilities for how this can Disadvantage: can be difficult to move the
be accomplished (Ramirez 1999): animals to different locations if necessary,

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

Figure C1.5 Group training sessions can be facilitated by: reinforcing animals only in a specific location
(station) (a); placing animals in a position for training (b); animals are trained using their individual ‘tag’ (c); and
training starts wherever the animals happen to be, but during the session the trainer moves them into
positions which better serve the training session (d). Source: (a) red panda, Odense Zoo; (b) harbour porpoise,
Kirstin Anderson‐Hansen; (c) dwarf alligators, Randers Regnskov; (d) bottlenose dolphin, Kolmården Zoo.