Principles Of Animal Training

Question 1

Foundations of animal training?

Answer 1

• animals learn throughout their lives
• animals primarily learn through associative learning in 2 ways: classical conditioning or associative learning
  :operant conditioning or trial and error learning

Question 2

What is associative learning?

Answer 2

• animals link a stimulus with a behaviour
• this is the method they use to build up knowledge of their experiences
• 2 unrelated events become connected in an animals mind
• they make connections between the stimulus and the behavioural response

Question 3

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 3

• animal links a behaviour with a specific outcome after solving a problem
• the certain behaviour resulted in a positive outcome, then the animal is more likely to repeat that behaviour
• the animal has to work out a problem or command
• they make connections between the outcome and the behavioural repsonse

Question 4

What is reinforcement?

Answer 4

• any stimulus that increases the probability of a desirable behaviour

Question 5

What is punishment?

Answer 5

• any stimulus that decreases the probability of an undesirable behaviour

Question 6

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 6

• adding something pleasant
• food, toys, praise, petting, play
• dog must be highlighted motivated by the food or toys

Question 7

What are the advantages of using positive reinforcement?

Answer 7

• gives the animal the opportunity to mark decisions
• gives the animal increases level of control over the environment
• improves animals overall welfare
• animal develops a friendly outgoing attitude
• animal is more keen to learn
• builds a stronger connection

Question 8

When should positive reinforcement be used?

Answer 8

• appropriate in training to teach obedience commands and to shape a behaviour, or change a way a dog responds to a particular situation

Question 9

What are primary reinforcers?

Answer 9

• those which are naturally rewarding
• ie. satisfies an animals innate or instructive motivations
• food, water and toys

Question 10

What are secondary reinforcers?

Answer 10

• those that are paired with the primary reinforcer
• the animal has learned through association with the primary reinforcer
• praise or clicker

Question 11

What are the 3 variations of positive reinforcement?

Answer 11

• continuous
• variable
• differential

Question 12

What is continuous positive reinforcement?

Answer 12

• the behaviour always results in a reward, must be used when teaching something new

Question 13

What is variable positive reinforcement?

Answer 13

• the reward is sometimes given, sometimes not, it can be used to share a response and is only used once a behaviour is already learnt

Question 14

What is differential positive reinforcement?

Answer 14

• the size and frequency of the reward is varied, the unpredictable nature of the reward can make training more addictive

Question 15

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 15

• removing something unpleasant
• loosening a tight collar and lead or discontinuation of shock
• the animal chooses to respond appropriately to avoid negative consequences

Question 16

What are the disadvantages of using negative reinforcement?

Answer 16

• the animal could become fearful of the handler
• the animal could become unwilling to learn
• the animal may start to display unhappiness

Question 17

What is positive punishment?

Answer 17

• adding something unpleasant
• jerking the lead, giving a shock, hitting or yelling
• usually causes pain and/or fear
• behaviour responses can often become defensive aggression

Question 18

What should be carried if positive punishment is to be used?

Answer 18

• must be when the animal is not fearful or in pain
• must be consistently applied
• must occur during or immediately after the undesirable behaviour
• must be strong and intense to immediately interrupt the behaviour
• animal must not associate the punishment with the owner

Question 19

What are the problems with using remote punishment devices?

Answer 19

• open to misuse
• can cause pain or sidtress
• animal can associate the shock with whatever it is focused on at the time
• device could be triggered by external influences, not associated with the behaviour

Question 20

What is negative punishment?

Answer 20

• removing something unpleasant
• turning your back, removing a toy, or withholding food

Question 21

Dog training checks to look for?

Answer 21

• qualifications
• references from clients
• use of positive reinforcement
• not using the term dominance
• not using positive punishment methods
• not guaranteeing that the problem will be solved

Question 22

What is sensitisation?

Answer 22

• when an animal over-reacts to a specific stimulus, the animal becomes emotionally aroused and is repeated excessively
• the animal might react more intensely and may become even more anxious
• very low levels of the stimulus can trigger a fear response

Question 23

What is systemic de-sensitisation?

Answer 23

• aims to change the dogs response to a triggering stimulus by repeatedly presenting the stimulus at such a low level that the dogs arousal is kept to a minimum
• the dog will eventually show no response to the stimulus and is de-sensitised

Question 24

Why is systemic de-sensitisation used?

Answer 24

• designed to help a fearful animal progressively relax in the presence of what is causing the fear or aggression
• used to progressively teach a dog to be calm around the trigger

Question 25

What are the key steps of systemic de-sensitisation?

Answer 25

• gradual exposure to the stimulus
• increase the proximity/intensity
• pair the exposure with something pleasurable
• positive emotions will outweigh the fearful ones

Question 26

What is counter conditioning?

Answer 26

• at the same time the stimulus is paired with a 2nd stimulus
• 1 that elects response that are incompatible with the problem behaviour

Question 27

What is the aims of counter conditioning?

Answer 27

• to change the negative emotion with a positive emotion
• to teach an animal to exhibit an alternative behaviour with the intention of controlling or eliminating the undesirable behaviour

Question 28

What is respondent counter conditioning?

Answer 28

• the dog is trained to respond to a particular signal as a predictor of treats or play
• most commonly used clicker training or whistle
• this becomes a secondary reinforcer

Question 29

What is extinction?

Answer 29

• when reinforcement of behaviour stops or becomes extinguished
• frequency and intensity of behaviour fades

Question 30

What is response substitution?

Answer 30

• when an undesirable or inappropriate behaviour is replaced with an acceptable one
• involves teaching a dog to perform a new alternate behaviour, known as operant counter-conditioning

Question 31

How can aggression be prevented?

Answer 31

• socialisation
• don’t encourage play biting or guarding behaviours
• remove vantage points which allow them to watch people
• positive reinforcement when training

Question 32

What training methods can be used to manage fear aggression?

Answer 32

• systematic de-sensitisation
• counter conditioning

Question 33

What training methods can be used to manage territorial aggression?

Answer 33

• systemic de-sensitisation
• counter conditioning

Question 34

What training methods can be used to manage distraction aggression?

Answer 34

• positive reinforcement
• counter conditioning

Question 35

What training methods can be used to manage predatory aggression?

Answer 35

• distraction
• counter conditioning

Question 36

How can aggression be prevented in cats?

Answer 36

• careful and gradual introduction to new cats
• integrate new scents by mixing toys/bedding
• can use food to induce a positive emotional reaction
• provide multiple hiding places, food/water bowls and litter trays

Question 37

How can predatory aggression in cats be managed?

Answer 37

• exercise
• enrichment
• safe interactions
• feed before hunting times
• attach bell to collar
• keep cat indoors at dusk and dawn

Question 38

How can inter-male aggression in cats be managed?

Answer 38

• castration
• use of progesterones
• prompt treatment of wounds
• look at establishing routines for neighbouring cats that don‘t get along
• increase appeal of indoor home and garden

Question 39

What is separation anxiety?

Answer 39

• attachment behaviour which occurs when the dog exhibits certain behaviours in response to separation from a person or another animal to which they are bonded
• should not be punished for this behaviour

Question 40

How can separation anxiety be prevented?

Answer 40

• introduce leaving slowly
• ensure dog is tired before leaving
• don’t make a big fuss when leaving and entering
• plug in diffuser or claiming music

Question 41

What are examples of classical conditioning toilet training?

Answer 41

Dog is fed - taken outside

Dog wakes up - taken outside

Dog sniffs for scent marks - taken outside

Dog is restless - taken outside

Question 42

Key points on pad training?

Answer 42

• associates pads with going to the toilet
• puppy leans its ok to go to the toilet in the house
• has to be trained 2x
• must gradually remove pads

Question 43

Key points on toileting on demand?

Answer 43

• dogs taught to urinate on command
• must use the same word
• encourages dog to urinate in unfamiliar places

Question 44

What are 4 methods used when toilet training?

Answer 44

• positive reinforcement = best tool when they go i correct place
• distraction = helpful when you see squat appear
• aversion = used to deter from a favourite unwanted spot
• punishment = likely to worsen the issue

Question 45

What are potential issues with cat litter boxes?

Answer 45

• could be in the wrong place
• wrong litter
• not easily accessible
• too cornered in
• defended by another cat
• too dirty