Page 92 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

64 4 Choosing the Right Method: Reinforcement vs Punishment

VetBooks.ir 7) Negative reinforcement or negative punish-
ment may be employed if absolutely
needed: when unwanted behaviour per-
sists, review previous steps in the hierar-
chy and ensure that a positive alternative
hasn’t been overlooked, then use the
method (negative reinforcement or nega-
tive punishment) that will likely achieve
the desired result with the least fallout.
8) Use positive punishment as a last resort: if
all else has failed, is impractical or is
impossible and the undesirable behaviour
must be stopped, apply a carefully
Figure 4.4 An example of how training animals in thought‐out positive punishment.
zoos can facilitate preventative and proactive
veterinary care; here a bear has been trained for This hierarchy is not absolute, it is a guide.
venepuncture whilst it stays in its enclosure. Source: The wise application of these rules must be
Steve Martin. accompanied with skill and knowledge to
assess when moving down the ladder is
training meets one of these goals and does required.
not compromise the animal’s welfare:
a) physical exercise – gives the animal
appropriate physical exercise;
b) mental stimulation – provides appro- 4.9 Concluding Thoughts
priate mental stimulation; and Considerations
c) leads to cooperative behaviour – con-
tributes to the safe management and No matter the rhetoric or discussion regard-
care of the animal (medical behav- ing training methods used, it is unlikely that
iours, taking medication or vitamins, many professional trainers are purely all pun-
shifting, etc.). ishment based or all reinforcement based.
3) Set the environment up for success: before Trainers must use a mix of methods to be
embarking on a complex training plan, effective and successful trainers. But not
ensure the environment has been set up every method is equal nor is any method
to make it easy for the animal to succeed always effective!
in meeting desired behavioural goals. Positive reinforcement training has become
4) Use positive reinforcement: once it is deter- widespread because it has shown great effec-
mined that training is desired, search for tiveness and success in achieving the needed
the best way to accomplish the goals using goals in the modern zoo as well as in the mod-
positive reinforcement. Remembering ern domestic animal training world. Much of
that the best reinforcement varies from the challenge when choosing the right meth-
individual to individual and from situation ods is mired in the confusion of terminology
to situation. where the scientific meaning of reinforce-
5) Use redirection: if the animal is exhibiting ment and punishment differs so greatly from
unwanted behaviour, teach it something the general public’s understanding of these
to do that is acceptable and will earn it terms. Additionally, those who want to train
reinforcement. animals are challenged with developing the
6) Extinction may be used in conjunction with mechanical skills to apply the methods prop-
other tools: if there is unacceptable behav- erly and with the correct intensity. Finally, in
iour, look for reinforcers that are strengthen- animal training it is not possible to separate
ing or maintaining that unwanted behaviour ethics and animal welfare from the equation
and try to remove or withhold them. when choosing the appropriate tools to use.