This rabbit agility video is another example of a behavior chain.

Bun hopping is different from rabbit agility but you are going to love this. Muffy is going to crack you up.

This chicken training video shows some of the basics involved in training and shaping behavior. Bob Bailey, along with his late wife, has been training for eons. Today his chicken training course are popular with those who seek to fine tune their skills.

In contrast to the previous chicken agility video that used a behavior chaining, this session uses a lure.

This video is a good example of a behavior chain. Watch for more chicken training videos later this week. The next chicken training video illustrates luring the chicken through the course.

Falconry is an ancient practice that began with the noble classes presumably in the first century or second century. The traditional lore is that the art began in central Asia, moved to the Middle East and then into Europe–but read this comprehensive summary from the International Association for Falconry & Conservation of Birds of Prey to get the scoop.

There are a handful of professional falconers who are paid to train and fly birds but there are also some opportunities at falconry centers, zoos, and the movie or television industry. A fairly recent income source is from the management of birds for airfields, businesses, or dump sites. Educational programs for various corporate groups or other demonstrations might also be an additional income source.

I may have said this before but I want to make a point here. One of the sad realities of the animal industry is that the popularity of a career with animals keeps the income levels down. There are more people who dream of working with animals than there are jobs. So, the abundance of people willing to work for free, or next to nothing, makes it easy to keep the wages low.

Animal care is costly and anyone who wants to work with birds of prey must apprentice and then provide adequate facilities for their birds when they get them. This sport is labor intensive, the laws are strict, and the birds need to be flown often.

Birds of prey need to be kept in top physical condition, the weight of any bird must be monitored closely, and they require specially built facilities. In addition, training and caring for a raptor requires a large investment of time and resources.

If that is not enough to dissuade most people, the licensing process weeds out those who are not serious about the profession/hobby. Most aspiring falconers must serve under an experienced falconer for a couple of years then there is a written test and a state inspection of the apprentice’s equipment and facility.

If you are interested in such a career the best thing to do is to visit facilities that conduct shows with birds of prey and to attend falconry meets and related events. Join some of the organizations such as the North American Falconers Association and talk to those active in it about the realities of the sport/profession/hobby.

You can find a nice list of resource links from American Falconry Magazine.

Photo Credit: Eric Charlton

Are pet interventions right or wrong?

This is a question that came up from discussions over my post, How are your animal observation skills?

The bottom line? It is your choice and very subjective based on your background.

Some people said they would speak up and others said they would mind their own business.

What would you do?

Before you answer in the comments, let’s look at the term, intervention:

An intervention is a deliberate process by which change is introduced into peoples’ thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

This is the definition I like. My work has been dedicated to implementing change and it hasn’t been an easy path. However, I work in particular settings and with clients that hire me–and so don’t work with just anyone I meet.

If you want to look at intervention in the more traditional sense:

An intervention is a combination of program elements or strategies designed to produce behavior changes… *snip* Interventions that include multiple strategies are typically the most effective in producing desired and lasting change.

Evidence has shown that interventions create change by:

• influencing individuals’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and skills;
• increasing social support;
• and creating supportive environments, policies and resources.

Bold emphasis is mine. A simple passing public interaction may or may not accomplish change–at best let’s hope it might plant a seed.

Now I like the first definition but the problem with this topic and term is that it is related to humans not animals.

Intervention on the behalf of an animal is a little different because animals are considered things (livestock) and the property of their humans.

Gary L Francione called the animals as property issue, “moral schizophrenia.” Beyond legal jargon, the individual and his or her definition of  what is appropriate for an animal varies widely as would the vague cruel or unusual label.

So basically, what you think and feel about an animal or its situation probably isn’t relevant under the law and it might not even be something of concern to another pet owner.

It certainly will vary greatly if someone is from another country, different culture, educational background, economic situation, or social circle.

As I pondered this issue, I thought back to a recent interview where I think I pissed off the writer because she wanted to believe that it was wrong to allow cats outside.

Personally, I think that is an individual’s choice that is influenced by different factors.

Yes, indoor cats have longer lives, etc., I’ve written about this before.

So, sure, in a perfect world I prefer having animals live in safe conditions but also believe they need environmental stimulation, education (socialization and training) and what I call the Animal Minimum Daily Requirements:

Animal Minimum Daily Requirements

• mental stimulation & occupation
• physical activity
• companionship
• adequate and regular veterinary care
• appropriate nourishment or nutrition
• daily assessment and quality management
• a suitable, safe, secure, clean and comfortable environment

Notice these guidelines don’t stipulate any nuances about inside or outside conditions, methodology of training, or what an the exact environment of choice is–those are subjective opinions and decisions a pet owner has to make.

Of course, I have my opinions but my goal is to make the best workable living conditions for the human and animal in each individual situation.

For example, if you live in a rural area, chances are your cats live outside, in a barn–or some combination between the two. I’d hope you’d get feral cat advocates involved in a colony situation but many just shrug off such efforts.

Although I grew up in a suburb, I now live in a semi-rural area where pets roam the neighborhood and visit the neighbors. A few outdoor cats do survive but usually not for long.

However, the dogs do well and all the neighbors know them and interact with them.

Since there is little traffic, the main threat to the health and safety of these pets tends to be predators.

But when people hear about pets roaming around, it mortifies urban dwellers. The interviewer was an urban dweller and she was incensed. I tried to challenge her thinking.

Obviously, if you live in a city or urban area, your pet practices and viewpoints are probably pretty different from my community’s and your pet has a whole different lifestyle than the previous ones I mentioned.

But who is right and who is wrong?

Except for some rules dictated by local ordinances, any answer would be totally subjective.

Now, as an animal person, I have intervened in different situations over time.  These interventions mostly have to do with safety or the life and death of the animal concerned.

However, if it is an owner issue, and he or she is not my client or not participating in one of the educational efforts I am involved in, I usually opt-out.

My goal is to implement change where I can and this no longer includes people I meet in passing.

So here is another question for you to ponder, what is your opinion on this in social settings– is intervention appropriate?

Remember that party situation in are you making things worse?

I ultimately had the opportunity to discuss things with the pet owner but wonder if you have faced social situations and how you have handled pet issues in the homes of friends or family.

Perhaps I’ve been in the animal behavior training and management field too long. But I’ve learned this over time, people have their opinions, you can give them information but they don’t have to accept it or even be open to it.

My advice?

• Chose interventions wisely
• Change what you can
• Be the example you want others to copy

Okay, what do you think? Leave your comments below, or if they are closed, take a moment to leave a note over in my Facebook community.

Photo Credit: Joshua Ommen

So, I am beat and for your enjoyment…here is Cheyenne doing her “Dead Dog” for me.

Want a magic pill to solve your pet behavior training problem?

Seriously, there is no such thing as a magic pill for animal behavior training issues.

When it comes to animal behavior modification or training there isn’t a “one pill cures all” or “one answer for your X problem.”

Contrary to popular belief behavior training consultants are not magicians but rather trained professionals who take a methodic,  scientific, and sometimes intuitive approach to such matters.

However, that doesn’t stop people from asking for a quick solution–thinking that one answer could be that supernatural solution.

As a professional, it is frustrating because it happens all the time. If you adept in a particular specialty, or have an area of expertise, you probably have experienced the same thing.

But here’s the thing about solving a pet behavior training problem, there isn’t a pat answer.

A good solution requires a good analysis of what might be actually be going on so that the right protocol can be assigned and the problem can be extinguished.

Along with the background of the owners and animals, a complete assessment includes taking a history of how long the problem has existed, the nuances of the environment, diet, social dynamics, veterinary medical background, daily regime, and a whole lot more.

So asking, “How do I solve this problem?” might sound like it is a simple question.

The reality is that most true professionals are not going to give you a simple response because it requires some background to come to a proper assessment.

However, people ask for free advice all the time and think nothing of it.

For instance, not too long ago I was on a social visit with a neighbor.

She introduced me to her dog and then, she breached good protocol and asked me THE question, “How do I…?”

I took a moment, and then said, “You know, I’d be happy to help you solve the issue, but I am not working right now so feel free to call and make an appointment.”

She briskly said, “It was just a simple question!”

But actually it wasn’t.

I found it interesting that she took offense at my refusal to give professional advice without an appointment.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I do give away a lot of my time and talent. You can also find my advice in my books or in my articles–but for some reason people believe that if you work with animals you should do so just for the love of it.

Well, I do it for the love of it but the reality is I have to pay bills just like everyone else.

Now you might not love your job like I do mine, but I am sure you don’t head over to your job to work for nothing.

However, her reaction made me take some time to ponder the matter and how I felt about it.

The truth is, this questioning isn’t something that happens once in a while, people cross this line ALL the time and my response varies.

And I have to tell you, it gets old because the questions don’t ever have a “simple answer.”

If there was an easy answer, she’d have solved the problem herself.

Let me share another example.

I attended a memorial service for a friend and had carpooled with some other people to and from the event.

During lunch, after the event and on a stop on the way home, one of the people at the table mentioned my background and I started getting a multitude of questions.

Fortunately, someone realized what was happening and intervened on my behalf–but it was like I was struck by a tsunami.

Everyone had almost finished their meals but answering questions prevented me from doing the same.

The flood of questions are never conducive to any sort of balanced conversation and I was left further exhausted by the interaction.

So, my review resulted in a hypothesis about what happens.

I think that since people really love their animals, they passionately desire to connect at a deeper level that many professionals are able to.

Overzealous, they  cross the line and become oblivious to anything else but their desire to get an answer to solve their problem, understand their animal better, and get a hold of that elusive pill or elixir.

So, I wonder–do you have this happen to you? Have you done this yourself? Take a moment to answer in the comments, or if they are closed, drop over to my Facebook community to chat.

Photo Credit: E-magic