BEHAVIOR
Making Room for the Little Guys
Emily Cassell explains why training pocket pets can be such a challenge while solidly
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refuting the myth that they are “untrainable”
ish, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rab- Prey animals view bits, and the like are not known for the world differently cats and dogs their high intelligence, and bear the than and are not inclined to explore or be undeserved reputation of “untrainable.” open to new things It is ironic that in a world of coercive training, the tiniest, fluffiest, and most relatively defenseless animals we work with are the most resistant to aversive training techniques. With force-free training having risen in popularity only recently, it is likely that small animals received their labels before anyone attempted to pull out a clicker or a few carrots to see what they can really do. While the force-free training community realizes that the end does not necessarily justify the means, we cannot deny that punishment and the use of aversives is effective, albeit not ethical. Thus, while aversive techniques have worked in the past for our closest animal partners such as dogs, cats, and horses – not to mention wild, fierce, and powerful animals such as big cats and elephants - we remain relatively powerless in our ability to coerce a fish or a guinea pig into doing anything! Prey animals view the world in a completely different way than dogs and cats do. Small prey animals are not as inclined to explore or be open to new things. The simple reason is that, in the wild, venturing from what you know (i.e. following the group and eating seeds and grass) may very well earn you an unpopular spot in a predator’s mouth. A perfect in-home example of this might be a reaction to a new toy. Dogs and cats will usually happily greet and play with (or sniff and ignore) a new object in the home. Guinea pigs, on the other hand, may avoid the object entirely. If the object is close to a food or water source, they may refuse to eat or drink as opposed to risking it. Anyone who has experience with feral dogs or cats, who are extremely fearful, may notice the same types of behaviors. In addition, dogs have evolved alongside humans for over 30,000 years (Dell’Amore, 2011). While rabbits, mice, and guinea pigs have notoriously short generation intervals, they still have not been domesticated for nearly as long as dogs have. More notably, dogs have been bred to work with people, and so have a level of dependence upon and understanding of us. A perfect example of this are the studies performed that indicate dogs recognize and read our facial expressions (Parry, 2011). Pocket pets have largely been bred to either become coats, science experi34
BARKS from the Guild/May 2016
ments, or lunch. No dependence on humans required. In fact, their dependence on you once you have lovingly brought them into your new home may not even be desired. This is typically when I receive the most questions. Dog trainers are familiar with being instantly welcomed into the circle of unconditional love and trust that most dogs typically bestow upon us as soon as we meet them. When your new bunny sits in the corner, darts off when you try to pet him, and refuses to take food from your hand, it is not only puzzling, some people would consider it to be hurtful too! The first thing I try to reassure new pocket pet owners with is 1) aloofness is normal, and 2) relationships come with time. When I began working with fearful prey animals, I found it incredibly frustrating, time-consuming, and barely rewarding. I am glad I began with smaller pets before really delving into dog (and eventually cat, otter, bigger cat and orangutan) training. It was a great lesson in empathy, and my “little guys” required me to be hyper-observant of their behavior. One wrong move landed me right back at square one. I spent an awful lot of time at square one. Before beginning training, it is crucially important to research the animal you are working with. The majority of pet stores (in fact, I have not found even one) do not know nearly enough about the animals they are selling or the products they are supplying. Animals with inadequate space and the wrong diet cannot be expected to be ready to learn. In addition, the knowledge that hamsters and gerbils are nocturnal is definitely going to be helpful when planning a training session. Your research will be especially important when deciding what reinforcers to use. Perform some preference assessments by offering a variety of veggies, grasses, or seeds, depending on the species and its diet. Try dropping treats into the animals’ cage as you walk by. This is not only a great way to teach them that you bring treats, but also an easy way to observe their reactions to the different offerings.You can take note of what they gobble up immediately, eat slowly, leave behind, and even argue over, then use that information when you are conducting sessions. On the next two pages, I have outlined some of the main things my pets have taught me when it comes to small animal training.