ABC'S: ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

CONCERNS & SOLUTIONS

A Question & Answer Forum For Animal Professionals

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Welcome to the ABC's! Animal Behavior Concerns & Solutions is an animal behavior column written by animal behaviorist and animal trainer, Diana L. Guerrero. This section is dedicated to animal training techniques for all animals and pets, and topics related to operant conditioning and reinforcement. This page is dedicated to clarifying the term, deprivation as it applies to training animals. This animal training topic appears in two parts. For pet training please visit the pet sections, see our pet behavior booklets in the shop, or click here for enrollment information for classes and teleseminars.

Understanding The Animal Training Term "Deprivation"
Part 2 of 2

QUESTION
American Zoo. Can you discuss the training term, "deprivation"?

ANSWER
In Part One we looked a several definitions of deprivation and you were given a bunch of questions for discussion and consideration. Here we will take a closer look.

DIETARY, SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL DEPRIVATION OR CONTROLLED MANAGEMENT?
You probably noticed that the questions posed last month caused some conflict in your definition of deprivation or in your thought processes regarding the word. That was the idea. Nothing in training is black and white. It is a science, but it is also an art. Your intuitive sense often takes you further than your knowledge of theory. This month we are going to look at the topic a bit closer and discuss a few more points. I am going to focus more on the dietary deprivation angle since that is what most people think of when they hear the term "deprivation."

CONTINUED DISCUSSION
As long as the animal maintains condition (body weight, coat condition, etc.,) then slight variations of feeding schedules are valid, useful, safe, and ethical. If you are working at making conditions optimal for an animal and the management of it, most would not consider the withholding a reinforcement a few times per day to be a breach of ethics or humane management practices.

Variable reinforcement in quantity, type and using selectivity in criteria enhance the training situation. Most would not consider it to fall under the topic of deprivation, although it could. The withholding of an item could be done through any daily activities, not just shows or just during daily management training sessions.

Dietary deprivation used incorrectly rather than increasing a food drive will result in an escalated hunger drive. This often contributes to a distractibility, nervousness, irritability, or even stereotypic behavior. This can also escalate aggression toward the trainer and between animals. However there are some applications where this is part of a program to extinguish such behavior.

In highly aggressive dogs, for instance, these techniques are used frequently as an effort to address the situation and to avoid euthanasia. This means they are pulled off of food and water so that it is controlled or managed (deprived). If aggression is shown upon attempts to administer these dietary needs, a time out is given and the animal is not rewarded for the aggression. These animals are also socially deprived. They are kept confined so that their only contact and reinforcement come from the person working with them.

Some people are not familiar with how to monitor their animal for optimum weight, or how to properly assess the diet. Take a bird as an example, if the bird is given a lot of food but doesn't eat it all he is not in a controlled circumstance or in a good dietary management program.

By monitoring the quantity along with the quality of the diet he would consume all of his food and get all of the nutrients AND maintain a consistent weight. If you were to also train the bird he would have more motivation to work using food reward. You could use additional treats or the established diet. However, some would consider this animal to be deprived.

Remember the questions about the marine mammal? I brought that up because many working those animals encounter seasonal fluctuations and physical influences (rut, breeding, pregnancy, etc.,) that affect the animal and the food consumption naturally. Relying heavily on food reward can become a crutch that handicaps your skill as a trainer.

In the social context, the animal that refused to come into the night quarters might be in danger (predators) or prevent maintenance that would endanger the rest of the group. So, using the tools of the trade would include social deprivation or motivation in order to gain cooperation and reduce risk. In other cases, confinement or restraint is often used to prevent or control injury that an animal may inflict upon themselves or others. This is especially true in many situations when introducing new animals into an unfamiliar area or new group.

Environmental deprivation can be restriction from things in the environment but it could also be the loss of opportunity to perform. It could be the absence of enrichment or restriction to certain types over others. It even could refer to the loss of the opportunity to observe or interact with the visitors or trainers!

CONCLUSION
So, if you think of it for a while you will discover that most of us have used deprivation at some time or another. Perhaps we did not realize it or perhaps we had another idea about what it was that we were doing. Just understand that it is a tool that can be used within a successful management program. It does not stand on its own, it is used in conjunction with other tools. If you are happier using the terms such as controlling the dietary, social or environmental management --do so but be realistic and remember what term this activity is rooted to.

Consistency and reliability from animals comes from an entire program of management. Diet, environment, social situations, stimulation and a variety of other categories influence a good program. Motivation of the animal is the key to a successful training program. Specifically, knowing how to motivate an animal in numerous ways. It is important to remember that although many equate food reward as their primary tool, it should only be one of many. That is why I attempted to give you some items to chew on.

There are some people that actually think that there is no ethical way to withhold anything from their charges. However, in the real world this does not hold true. It occurs whether you do it intentionally or not! Remember, if the animal is cooperative, inquisitive, and exhibits a good attitude then you are probably doing something right. If the animal is uncooperative, unmotivated, or is reserved then you need to look at your management program. The animals generally respond in a desirable and enthusiastic fashion if you are doing your job correctly. Just remember that using deprivation (or whatever you chose to call it) is not a cure all, it is a tool!

Are you a reader with a question? Be sure to submit it--and good luck in all your training endeavors!

About the columnist: Since 1978 Diana L. Guerrero has worked professionally with both wild and domestic animals. Guerrero has been affiliated with, and certified by, a variety of animal programs in the USA and Europe. Based in California, she writes, consults, and speaks. Information on her animal career programs, training courses, and her books {What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality (SkyLight Paths, 2003), Blessing of the Animals (Sterling, 2007), Help! My Pet is Driving Me Crazy (Guerrero Ink, 2007), Animal Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners & Pet Professionals (Guerrero Ink, 2007)} can be found in this web site and in the shop. Questions for Guerrero should be submitted via the blog comments or membership forum.