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 two part column is about Grevy zebra (Equus grevyi) behavior evaluation and zebra training techniques. 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.

Zebra Evaluation (Equus grevyi)
Part Two of Two

Question
We have been experiencing some trouble with our male Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi) and could use some guidance. What do you suggest?

Answer
Last month this column included: background, discussion, the presenting problem, and an assessment of this zebra. This month concludes with specific suggestions.

Diligence, consistency (not predictability), and variable schedules are mandatory to get this zebra's inappropriate behavior redirected. I recommend you consider the following:

Assess the diet and feeding routine.
This animal quivers in his skin and is very high strung which can be an indicator that your animal is sensitive to fillers and/or high protein levels. Sensitivities can sometimes adversely affect the behavior of individuals. Have your veterinarian or a nutritionist evaluate the diet and check your pelleted food analysis.

Alternative therapies.
Consider using some alternative therapies to see if they make a difference. There are non-ingested remedies that work on an energetic level, and homeopathic treatments that are proving successful in the domestic animal realm. I have some regional references, but Dr. Madalyn Ward in Austin, Texas is a homeopathic equine veterinarian. Ask your staff veterinarian to call Dr. Ward to explore the possibilities or to call me for other references.

Give this animal more to do mentally and physically.
High energy and intellect require increased mental and physical activity. For mental stimulation, outline and increase your training sessions--and try again with the enrichment. I would train this animal to move. A to B's can simulate lunging and get him to move. You can use tones or buzzers so that eventually it will require only need one trainer to operate the system to get the activity.

Enrichment.
Make sure to break up your feeding stations and routine. If you can, introduce a timed feeder that can be reprogrammed easily for a variable schedule. A rubbing mound, feeders that require problem solving to obtain the contents, a suspended battering toy, olfactory stimulants, and audio distractions (you might try talk radio in the barn) are some tools to consider. Introduce different textures and scents to the rubbing mound. Since this animal seems to be good with deciphering latches, find or design novel puzzle challenges for him. Consider also redirecting him to grabbing something appropriate that he can then toss around.

Outline a training program.
Outline your goals and the criteria of behavior prior to starting your program. Each staff member should have tangible monitors of the criteria. Here are some quick tips:

· Shorter more frequent sessions are better than those of long duration.
· It is the quality of the session, not the longevity, that is important.
· Be sure to use random schedules as he will respond adversely to predictable schedules.
· Be variable in the time of your sessions, your rewards, in your time-out durations, and in your termination schedule (longevity) of the sessions.
· Make sure your keepers terminate the session if the animal moves out of the training area.
· Only reward calm behavior. It is critical to set your level of criteria on this and ASK for it. Teach a key word and then reward the response. If the animal is slamming the fence and snorting or breathing heavy, ask for calmness, when you get it then reward with a scratch. If you do not, withdraw. Then try again. Sometimes you will need to withdraw a short distance with your back to the animal, other times you will need to move away further for a longer duration. Keep this variable as he will challenge you.
· When working in proximity to the animal, acknowledge the animal when he is calm and verbally praise him while he remains calm. Keepers should not be distracted when in close proximity to this animal. Move away if conversation or distractions occur.
· Implement a dual target training strategy. One trainer works two targets. This technique teaches him to respond to a body target at a different body part than the main target.
· Construct a scratching stick. Since this animal is highly tactile oriented, use a brush tool to reward him.
· Keep all appendages away from and out of the fencing. Use the scratch stick for tactile rewards.
· If rewarding with food, only offer from the palm (held up like a stop signal) and keep the hand away from the fence.

Start your fundraising for the new exhibit.
Part of your difficulty is that this animal needs more room and stimuli. Construction and design of your new exhibit should be encouraged.

If you map out your strategies and work together with these recommendations you should see some immediate changes.

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.