| Popis: |
Publisher Summary This chapter covers the training and behavior management in marine mammals. As behavioral observations of these animals began to generate questions unanswerable through scientific observation alone, it seemed that further exploration involving dolphin learning abilities could only be facilitated through training. Early training methods were considered industry secrets; yet those techniques were primitive and lacking in their full understanding of current behavior modification principles and procedures. Although the methods used at that time were limited, often consisting of trial and error, the marine mammal training field now employs a range of specific animal learning principles, including operant conditioning, as a means to provide better care, manage breeding groups, and shape specific behaviors to individual animals. Although the use of operant conditioning is not the only mechanism used to train marine mammals, it is arguably the most direct. Therefore, the fundamentals of this science, as a minimum, must be assimilated for those who train, or wish to train, marine mammals. Because the field of marine mammal training strongly discourages the use of aversive techniques, it is also highly productive and continues to stand as a model for ethical animal training. This philosophy of focusing on positive proactive behavior management and eliminating aversive and punishing practices has also created much safer environments for both the trainers and the animals by greatly reducing incidents of aggression between animals and humans as well as within social groups. |
