Post by Morocco Rock Fox on Aug 7, 2006 19:48:25 GMT -5
Animal Trainer
Animal trainers train animals to perform work, entertain, or serve as companions.
People often think only dogs can learn tricks. (Well, young dogs can learn tricks - the old ones don't want to bother.) Yet did you know that cats are highly trainable too? In fact, some people have successfully toilet-trained their cats! Yes, you read this right. Some cats use the toilet instead of the litter box. While they can't flush, this sure beats scooping litter.
Animal trainers prepare animals to perform a variety of tasks. For example, they may train dogs to guard property, search for drugs, or lead blind people. They may train horses for show, racing, or working. In addition, trainers may teach animals to provide entertainment. They may train dolphins to find and retrieve objects. They may train other animals to sit, stand, beg, or perform other tricks on cue. Trainers usually specialize in one type of animal and one type of training program.
Regardless of the type of animal they train or the purpose of the training, animal trainers do many of the same tasks. First they must find animals to train. Trainers may breed their own animals, but they often buy animals or adopt them from animal shelters. Before choosing animals, trainers evaluate them to determine whether they are trainable. Some trainers do not need to choose animals because they are hired to train specific animals.
Trainers begin by getting animals used to human voice and contact. Most training involves getting the animals to respond to hand, voice, and physical commands. Trainers may teach animals by approximation. This means they reward the animals for behaviors that are similar to what the trainer wants the animal to do. The animals will make these behaviors more often because they were rewarded. By being more demanding in what animals must do to get rewards, trainers are able to shape their behavior. Training is a slow process and trainers must e patient.
Trainers must know the psychology of the animals they train. For example, dogs are pack animals and obey the leader of the pack. Thus, a dog trainer must know how to convince dogs that the trainer is the leader. Interacting properly with animals is an important part of training. Once animals are trained, trainers may also need to teach the animals' owners. Thus, they may train a horse and its rider or a dog and its human handler.
Training animals is only part of a trainer's tasks. They must also care for animals. They examine animals to make sure they are healthy. Trainers may perform basic health care tasks themselves, but usually call a veterinarian when animals are seriously ill. Trainers who keep animals while they are being trained must also feed the animals, exercise them, and clean their kennels, stables, or other living areas. Trainers who have large facilities may have animal caretakers who do animal maintenance tasks. Trainers may hire, train, and supervise these workers.
Animal trainers train animals to perform work, entertain, or serve as companions.
People often think only dogs can learn tricks. (Well, young dogs can learn tricks - the old ones don't want to bother.) Yet did you know that cats are highly trainable too? In fact, some people have successfully toilet-trained their cats! Yes, you read this right. Some cats use the toilet instead of the litter box. While they can't flush, this sure beats scooping litter.
Animal trainers prepare animals to perform a variety of tasks. For example, they may train dogs to guard property, search for drugs, or lead blind people. They may train horses for show, racing, or working. In addition, trainers may teach animals to provide entertainment. They may train dolphins to find and retrieve objects. They may train other animals to sit, stand, beg, or perform other tricks on cue. Trainers usually specialize in one type of animal and one type of training program.
Regardless of the type of animal they train or the purpose of the training, animal trainers do many of the same tasks. First they must find animals to train. Trainers may breed their own animals, but they often buy animals or adopt them from animal shelters. Before choosing animals, trainers evaluate them to determine whether they are trainable. Some trainers do not need to choose animals because they are hired to train specific animals.
Trainers begin by getting animals used to human voice and contact. Most training involves getting the animals to respond to hand, voice, and physical commands. Trainers may teach animals by approximation. This means they reward the animals for behaviors that are similar to what the trainer wants the animal to do. The animals will make these behaviors more often because they were rewarded. By being more demanding in what animals must do to get rewards, trainers are able to shape their behavior. Training is a slow process and trainers must e patient.
Trainers must know the psychology of the animals they train. For example, dogs are pack animals and obey the leader of the pack. Thus, a dog trainer must know how to convince dogs that the trainer is the leader. Interacting properly with animals is an important part of training. Once animals are trained, trainers may also need to teach the animals' owners. Thus, they may train a horse and its rider or a dog and its human handler.
Training animals is only part of a trainer's tasks. They must also care for animals. They examine animals to make sure they are healthy. Trainers may perform basic health care tasks themselves, but usually call a veterinarian when animals are seriously ill. Trainers who keep animals while they are being trained must also feed the animals, exercise them, and clean their kennels, stables, or other living areas. Trainers who have large facilities may have animal caretakers who do animal maintenance tasks. Trainers may hire, train, and supervise these workers.