Principles Of Animal Training Flashcards
(45 cards)
1
Q
Foundations of animal training?
A
- 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
2
Q
What is associative learning?
A
- 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
3
Q
What is operant conditioning?
A
- 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
4
Q
What is reinforcement?
A
- any stimulus that increases the probability of a desirable behaviour
5
Q
What is punishment?
A
- any stimulus that decreases the probability of an undesirable behaviour
6
Q
What is positive reinforcement?
A
- adding something pleasant
- food, toys, praise, petting, play
- dog must be highlighted motivated by the food or toys
7
Q
What are the advantages of using positive reinforcement?
A
- 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
8
Q
When should positive reinforcement be used?
A
- appropriate in training to teach obedience commands and to shape a behaviour, or change a way a dog responds to a particular situation
9
Q
What are primary reinforcers?
A
- those which are naturally rewarding
- ie. satisfies an animals innate or instructive motivations
- food, water and toys
10
Q
What are secondary reinforcers?
A
- those that are paired with the primary reinforcer
- the animal has learned through association with the primary reinforcer
- praise or clicker
11
Q
What are the 3 variations of positive reinforcement?
A
- continuous
- variable
- differential
12
Q
What is continuous positive reinforcement?
A
- the behaviour always results in a reward, must be used when teaching something new
13
Q
What is variable positive reinforcement?
A
- 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
14
Q
What is differential positive reinforcement?
A
- the size and frequency of the reward is varied, the unpredictable nature of the reward can make training more addictive
15
Q
What is negative reinforcement?
A
- removing something unpleasant
- loosening a tight collar and lead or discontinuation of shock
- the animal chooses to respond appropriately to avoid negative consequences
16
Q
What are the disadvantages of using negative reinforcement?
A
- the animal could become fearful of the handler
- the animal could become unwilling to learn
- the animal may start to display unhappiness
17
Q
What is positive punishment?
A
- 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
18
Q
What should be carried if positive punishment is to be used?
A
- 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
19
Q
What are the problems with using remote punishment devices?
A
- 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
20
Q
What is negative punishment?
A
- removing something unpleasant
- turning your back, removing a toy, or withholding food
21
Q
Dog training checks to look for?
A
- 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
22
Q
What is sensitisation?
A
- 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
23
Q
What is systemic de-sensitisation?
A
- 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
24
Q
Why is systemic de-sensitisation used?
A
- 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
25
What are the key steps of systemic de-sensitisation?
- gradual exposure to the stimulus
- increase the proximity/intensity
- pair the exposure with something pleasurable
- positive emotions will outweigh the fearful ones
26
What is counter conditioning?
- at the same time the stimulus is paired with a 2nd stimulus
- 1 that elects response that are incompatible with the problem behaviour
27
What is the aims of counter conditioning?
- 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
28
What is respondent counter conditioning?
- 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
29
What is extinction?
- when reinforcement of behaviour stops or becomes extinguished
- frequency and intensity of behaviour fades
30
What is response substitution?
- 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
31
How can aggression be prevented?
- socialisation
- don’t encourage play biting or guarding behaviours
- remove vantage points which allow them to watch people
- positive reinforcement when training
32
What training methods can be used to manage fear aggression?
- systematic de-sensitisation
- counter conditioning
33
What training methods can be used to manage territorial aggression?
- systemic de-sensitisation
- counter conditioning
34
What training methods can be used to manage distraction aggression?
- positive reinforcement
- counter conditioning
35
What training methods can be used to manage predatory aggression?
- distraction
- counter conditioning
36
How can aggression be prevented in cats?
- 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
37
How can predatory aggression in cats be managed?
- exercise
- enrichment
- safe interactions
- feed before hunting times
- attach bell to collar
- keep cat indoors at dusk and dawn
38
How can inter-male aggression in cats be managed?
- 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
39
What is separation anxiety?
- 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
40
How can separation anxiety be prevented?
- 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
41
What are examples of classical conditioning toilet training?
Dog is fed - taken outside
Dog wakes up - taken outside
Dog sniffs for scent marks - taken outside
Dog is restless - taken outside
42
Key points on pad training?
- 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
43
Key points on toileting on demand?
- dogs taught to urinate on command
- must use the same word
- encourages dog to urinate in unfamiliar places
44
What are 4 methods used when toilet training?
- 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
45
What are potential issues with cat litter boxes?
- could be in the wrong place
- wrong litter
- not easily accessible
- too cornered in
- defended by another cat
- too dirty
