ABC'S: ANIMAL BEHAVIOR CONCERNS & SOLUTIONS
A Question & Answer Forum For Animal Professionals
Copyright © 2005 By Diana Guerrero

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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 page is dedicated to primate training techniques for an uncooperative (aggressive) ape. This evaluation for primate training is for a zoological facility. For pet training please visit the pet sections, see our pet behavior booklets in the shop, or visit our teleseminar section.

Ape (Primate) Training Evaluation: Part One

Question (American Zoo) Part One of Two
Our facility has recently encountered animal aggression involving one particular keeper. This is impeding animal training progress. Do you have any suggestions?

Background
Over the past few months this facility has witnessed heightened aggression and uncooperative behavior from a mature male primate who refuses to shift. The animal displays and aggresses at one of the keepers. (The keeper is the same sex as the animal.) Similar displays were present when the male keeper first came onto the string, but were extinguished. Recently the aggression has resurfaced and is escalating.

Discussion
Since the problem has escalated over the past few months I would encourage you to revisit the time period when the animal began to react adversely to his keeper. Changes in behavior are usually contingent upon something-but the critical factor is defining just what that something is so you can devise the most beneficial action plan.

Although many facilities attempt to eliminate variations in training (same whistle pitch, clicker protocol, etc.,) or the techniques used between keepers, animals still differentiate. Over time some creatures will exhibit preferences and unresponsiveness toward individual handlers. However, when the change in behavior is sudden it usually indicates a specific problem.

Causes of aggression can vary. In captive animals this can be complicated. Individual animals may have been hand-reared by humans in a nursery environment and so may relate to caretakers as they would their own species. If this is the case, social influences might be a factor. Social changes in the perceived hierarchy can trigger arousal due to maturation, breeding, or perceived competition or displacement.

Accidental reinforcement can be another contributing factor. For instance, during an act of aggression you may decide to give a time-out to the animal. If you are pulled away from working with that animal, or another trainer interferes and takes over, the animal may perceive the aggression as a way to end undesirable interactions with you. Higher intellect animals require a trainer's undivided attention to detail and procedures to avoid any escalation of problems.

Animal keepers influence behavior through every activity. How you conduct yourself during your routine and training can really make a difference. Remaining calm and consistent are important elements within the training environment. Some animals will react adversely to trainers who raise their voices, while other animals might perceive that exhibition as a challenge.

There are also those animals who get frustrated with training delays such as too much time between reinforcement, inconsistent criterion, unclear directives or sloppy signals. Conversely, if you have a consistent environment and then begin to change it, or change your schedule of reinforcement too quickly, you might encounter resistance and frustration from the animals.

Troubleshooting Questions
Ask (and answer) the following questions:

Stress and Veterinary Medical Related
Has the animal been checked for any veterinary medical problems?
Other than the aggression towards the individual keeper, are there subtle changes in the particular animal's patterns of behavior? Alliances? Exhibit usage?
Was there an incident prior to escalation of the aggressive behavior?
If so, how was the incident handled?
Have there been any dietary changes? Increase or decrease in food consumption?
Have the animal group dynamics changed in any way?
Have there been any conflicts between keepers in the area?

Maturation or Sexually Related
Has this animal hit maturity, or have any other group members entered into estrus or sexual maturity?
Was this animal nursery reared or habituated to humans at a young age?
Is the recipient of the hostile behavior dating another keeper in the area?

Training Related
Is the negative behavior response contingent on a particular location, procedure, or team of handlers?
Has the keeper staff or scheduling changed in any way?
Could the behavior have been triggered through the training process (frustration, etc.,)?
Is it possible this behavior was accidentally reinforced?
Do training notes reflect any problems?
What changed about the time the animal's aggression resurfaced?

Next Month: Part Two Primate Training Strategies & Suggested Reading

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 leads safaris. 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) are available through this web site. Questions for ABC's should be submitted to Diana directly through the ABC's zoo questionnaire on this web site, or contact her now.