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Refinement Alternatives
Training Animals
Training that uses positive reinforcement techniques (which reward desired behaviour) is a valuable tool for the humane use and care of animals. Trained animals maintain a high degree of reliability in participating in experimental or husbandry procedures and are less stressed while doing so. For example, non-human primates can be trained to co-operate voluntarily in scientific or veterinary procedures. This reduces the need for physical restraint and/or anaesthesia and the accompanying risks to welfare and effects on scientific results. Therefore, training-related Refinement alternatives not only benefit animal welfare, but can also enhance the quality of research.
Specifically, training may provide the means to:
- improve husbandry and veterinary care;
- reduce abnormal and stereotypic behaviour;
- reduce aggression;
- improve socialisation;
- enhance enrichment programs; and
- improve psychological-wellbeing.
(This section has been adapted from the NC3Rs website).
For more information on training animals the following resources may be useful:
Online resources
Other publications
- Coleman K., Pranger L., Maier A., Lambeth S.P., Perlman J.E., Thiele E. & Schapiro S.J. (2008) Training rhesus macaques for venipuncture using positive reinforcement techniques: A comparison with chimpanzees. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 47:37-41.
- Laule G. (1999) Training laboratory animals.In: UFAW Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory Animals, vol. 1 & 2, 7th ed. (ed. T. Poole), p. 21-27. Oxford: Blackwell Science.
- Mellor D.J. (2004) Taming and training of pregnant sheep and goats and of newborn lambs, kids and calves before experimentation. ATLA 32 (Suppl. 1):143-146.
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