Animal training

Animal trainer
Early 20th century animal trainer Dolores Vallecita with a leopard.
Occupation
NamesAnimal trainer
Occupation type
Performing arts
Activity sectors
Social science, busking, circus, show business
Description
CompetenciesManual dexterity
Education required
See professional requirements
Fields of
employment
Police, education, entertainment
Related jobs
Lion tamer; see related occupations

Animal training is the act of teaching animals specific responses to specific conditions or stimuli. Training may be for purposes such as companionship, detection, protection, and entertainment. The type of training an animal receives will vary depending on the training method used, and the purpose for training the animal. For example, a seeing eye dog will be trained to achieve a different goal than a wild animal in a circus.

In some countries animal trainer certification bodies exist. They do not share consistent goals or requirements; they do not prevent someone from practicing as an animal trainer nor using the title. Similarly, the United States does not require animal trainers to have any specific certification.[1] An animal trainer should consider the natural behaviors of the animal and aim to modify behaviors through a basic system of reward and punishment.[2]

  1. ^ Pryor, Don't Shoot the Dog, p. x
  2. ^ McGreevy & Boakes, Carrots and Sticks: Principles of Animal Training, p. xi-23