Types of Behaviour

Trained behaviours must incorporate bodily movements that are within the animal's normal physical capability. Animals must not perform movements that carry a high risk of injury.

Apparatus used to train an animal must:

• be easy for the animal to use, and
  
  
• not cause injury.

Animals unwilling to perform a desired behaviour, for whatever reason, must not be forced to continue.

Behaviours that indicate an animal is 'unwilling to perform' can include:

• initially refusing, or baulking at performing the behaviour
  
  
• attempting to please the trainer by performing an alternative behaviour
  
  
• performing a displacement activity (such as a grooming) which may be stereotypical in nature, and
  
  
• attempting to escape from the trainer.

It is essential for animals to be provided constantly with minor changes in their behavioural repertoire. [1]

Trainers must stop a training session if the animal's attention span decreases or if the animal becomes increasingly reluctant to perform the behaviour. [2]

Big cats

Lions and other big cats may be trained to perform the following basic behaviours on command:

• stationing (each animal to its own perch)
  
  
• assemblage (animals arranged together in various groups and postures)
  
  
• rearing
  
  
• leaping (over obstacles, through hoops - but not hoops of fire - onto narrow perches, etc.)
  
  
• vocalising
  
  
• rolling
  
  
• close contact with handler (trainer lying against or sitting on animal, ‘shaking hands’, manual opening of jaws, etc.), and
  
  
• balancing acts (running along a narrow plank, etc).

Dogs

Dogs may be trained to perform the following basic behaviours on command:

• stationing
  
  
• assemblage
  
  
• bipedal walking and dancing
  
  
• vocalising
  
  
• leaping on, or over, or through, various objects
  
  
• rolling, and
  
  
• retrieving objects.

Ungulates and camelids

Ungulates and camelids may be trained to perform the following basic behaviours on command:

• assemblage
  
  
• stationing
  
  
• gait changes on command
  
  
• dancing
  
  
• rearing
  
  
• bipedal walking (not camelids)
  
  
• foot tapping
  
  
• vocalising
  
  
• retrieving objects (eg. a scarf)
  
  
• wheeling, and
  
  
• synchronised movement.

Elephants

Elephants may be trained to perform the following basic behaviours on command:

• stationing
  
  
• assemblage
  
  
• rearing
  
  
• vocalising
  
  
• retrieving objects (with the trunk)
  
  
• wheeling
  
  
• balancing acts (restricted to cylinders not balls)
  
  
• weight lifting, and
  
  
• dancing.[3]

Monkeys and chimpanzees

Primates may be trained to perform the following basic behaviours on command:

• stationing
  
  
• assemblage
  
  
• balancing and climbing acts (may include the use of apparatus)
  
  
• retrieving objects
  
  
• vocalisation
  
  
• dancing, and
  
  
• riding (on the back of other animal species).

Birds

Birds may be trained to perform the following basic behaviours on command:

• stationing
  
  
• assemblage
  
  
• vocalising
  
  
• dancing
  
  
• balancing acts (may involve the use of apparatus), and
  
  
• retrieving objects.

[1] This will provide a constant level of mental stimulation for the animals. The level of variation will always remain the prerogative of the trainer. Variation is intended for the benefit of the animals. If it becomes apparent that it is causing distress, it should either be decreased or stopped.

[2] This should be taken as a signal that the animal has had enough. The level of exposure that animals are able to cope with depends on the individual animal. It is important for trainers to develop enough rapport with their charges to detect signs that the training session should be terminated for the moment.

[3] Elephants are usually trained using the 'mahout' principle, which involves contact with only one trainer . They need to be accustomed to taking orders from humans, so that everyday handling is not a trauma for either the animals or the handler. Because they are social animals, elephants also appear to benefit psychologically from the stimuli provided by their mahouts, and from the training and performance of desired behaviours.