Training and Conditioning of Animals - Coursework Example

Training and conditioning of animals Introduction Animal training is the coaching of animals to respond to various specific and desired stimuli. The process of training could be for various purposes such as entertainment, companionship, protection and detection. The method utilized determines the type of training the animals receive. For example, a protection animal will receive different type of training when compared to a circus animal used for entertainment purposes. Therefore, there are various methods utilized when training animals. This paper centers on the various type of anima training methods. Moreover, it dwells on purposes, limitations and the various advantages of training horses and dolphins. The different kinds of methods utilized in training the two animals are accompanied with controversy. This is because some of the methods are considered inhumane and cruel as they are characterized by physical handling. However, there are other methods, which are more humane and gentler. Natural horsemanship training method for horses Natural horsemanship is the training and care of horse in accord with their normal conduct, physical being, diet and movement. This training method is an effective approach utilized for training horses. According to Lesley Bayley, since the 1980s, the natural horsemanship has been in wide use as horse trainers have accepted it. This is due to its effectiveness in approach and ensures appropriate results. Most people view the method as a consideration of how horses communicate with each other in relation to body language (Bayley, 2007 p 39). Consequently, others view natural horsemanship as the integration of equipment for instance ropes and keeping the horse as traditional as possible without shoes or rugs. On the other hand, others utilize natural methods such as communication and equine psychology with a more traditional approach (Birke, 2007 p 217-240). Suitability and effectiveness of the method The method is effective, as the trainers practicing this method have to understand the horse’s needs, social and psychological systems. Natural horsemanship is based on the natural instincts and the various methods of communication of the horse (Birke, 2008 p 17-126). The method operates on the philosophy that the horses should be conditioned by the use of less force and not through pain and fear. Natural horsemanship revolves around the use of pressure and pressure release. Consequently, trainers who utilize this method must use firm approach, which is relatively fair. Therefore, trainers try to divert from the traditional approach, which utilized fear to force the horse into submission or to enhance motivation. Therefore, the method is very effective as it respects the needs of the animals (Lane, 2009 p 35). In the method, the horse is not likely to resist as negative reinforcement is utilized minimally and the uses of excessive force is highly discouraged when training the animals. The natural horsemanship values mistakes as necessary for the learning process, therefore it expects the animal to make a lot of mistakes as much as possible rather than the avoidance approach. In the process of training the mistakes provides a vital opportunity for the animal to respond as feedback on the results of their behavior. Moreover, the method offers an opportunity for the horse to give out opinions and is thus given opportunities to experiment in the coaching process. Therefore, the natural horsemanship is an effective method as it provides a platform for the modern trainer to have a balanced relationship and partnership with the horse as the inputs of the subjects are equal (Lutton, 2007 p 85-86). Limitations of the method Natural horsemanship is often characterized with communication break down between the horse and the trainer. Moreover, many proponents argue that after the training process is over and the horse has purchased, the owner fails to communicate effectively with his horse. Linda Birke asserts that confusion is often experienced rather than communication. This is due to the transition period the horse experiences from training to living with its owner. Consequently, the change in dynamics in new approach the owner adopts (Miller, 2007 p 178). Therefore, the human/horse breakdown in relationship is usually inevitable as the owners choose approaches, which are different as the ones utilized in training. For instance, horse’s behavior changes and fails to respond to various stimuli due to the change in approach. The horses become confused on the direction to follow and transform to highly unmanageable animals and depressed. This change in approach forces the horses to become aggressive and very uncooperative (Mills, 2008 p151). Horse owners who attend NH training sessions reveal that trainers often fail to explain how the horses learn. In this way, the trainer failed to explain to owners whether the horse was responding or not and thus, one of the owners exerted more pressure and consequently forced the horse to run away from him. Therefore, some approaches in the Natural horsemanship method do no encourage partnership but promote communication breakdown. As opposed to how the method is portrayed to be humane, some of the approaches utilized are still traditional. In some instances, control characterizes how trainers relate with the horses. The horses are subjected to disciplinary control. Therefore, the horses are not entirely entitled to freedom (Noske, 2005 p 47). Operant conditioning method for dolphins Communication between proponents who do not speak the same language often proves to be difficult. Therefore, training of dolphins is essential to enhance communication between people and sea animals. Operant conditioning is the main method used to train dolphins. The training usually occurs in Dolphin Research centers, where the animals are kept in a different environment (OWEN, 2012 p 57). Watching a dolphin’s high leap may seem a relatively easy task, however it is a very grueling activity. To perform well the dolphin needs to acquire specific unique skills. The consequences of the behavior are manipulated to increase the frequency of an existing response, or entirely decrease it. Rewarding successive behaviors will result in the achievement of the final response (Pastorino & Doyle-Portillo, 2011p187). Effectiveness and suitability of the method The method is very effective as the dolphins are easy to train due to their ability to learn quickly, their intelligence and friendly behavior towards humans. They tend to imitate behaviors quite easily by this method. The method enables the dolphins recognize and execute direction and commands. The secluded environment is also suitable and conducive (Pastorino & Doyle-Portillo, 2011p187). This a animal approach views the animal as an active participant of the whole process as the dolphin is expected to respond during the process. The effectiveness of the behavior is determined by how the trainer responds to the elicited behavior. The frequency of how the trainer responds therefore determines if the learned behavior will be repeated. Therefore, positive reinforcement is the most effective approach in this method, which ensures influence of the behavior of the animal during the training process (Wood et al, 2005 p 177-189). The reinforcements ensure the effectiveness of the method. This is because the desired behavior elicited by the dolphin is responded to thus ensuring a repeat of the behavior. Therefore, the operant conditioning method is effectively utilized to train the dolphins to perform tricks and to rescue people in water bodies. Moreover, in marine parks the animals are conditioned to perform different feats for entertainment purposes (Williams, 2001p 39). Limitations of the method The method depends hugely on the strength and attractiveness of the reinforcement or reward. Therefore, if the reward is not pleasing it is more likely that the dolphin will not learn or repeat the desired behavior. Moreover, if the reward is too great it may result in arousal thus affect in the learning process. Consequently, the rewards have to be awarded in surprise, as the behavior will not be effective if the reinforcement is adjacent. Therefore, the immediacy of the reward determines if the method is effective or not. A delay in reinforcement in the learning process will lead to a lower probability that the response is cultured (Wood et al, 2005 p 177-189). If the reward is punishment the behavior will not likely to be learned or repeated. Spanking instead of patting a dolphin will suppress the behavior. The dolphin might retaliate or escape against punishment. Consequently, the removal of a pleasant reward will also decrease the occurrence of the desired behavior. The level of a dolphin’s motivation to repeat a desired behavior drives the effectiveness of the method. Therefore, if the animal is not motivated the desired behavior will be suppressed. For instance, a hungry dolphin is motivated to learn the desired behavior. Therefore, a full dolphin will not be motivated to learn the behavior (Wynne, 2004 p 202). References Bayley, L. (2007). Groundwork training for your horse. Newton Abbot, U. K., David & Charles. Birke, L, (2007). “Learning to speak horse”: The culture of “natural horsemanship.” Society & Animals, 15, 217-240. 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In F. de Jonge & R. van den Bos (Eds). Th e human- animal relationship: Forever and a day. Assen: Royal van Owen, R. (2012). Dolphins. New York, Windmill Books Gorcum. Pastorino, E., & Doyle-Portillo, S. (2011). What is psychology? Essentials. Australia,Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Williams, S. (2001). Emotion and social theory, London: Sage. Wood, E, G., Wood, S, E,. and Boyd, D.(2005) The World of Psychology, 5E. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Wynne, C. D. L. (2004). Do animals think? Princeton, NJ, Princeton University Press. Read More