Positive reinforcement training in rhesus macaques-training progress as a result of training frequency.
Positive reinforcement training (PRT) efficiency was examined as a function of training frequency in 33 pair- or triple-housed female rhesus macaques. The animals were trained three times a week, once a day or twice a day, using PRT and a clicker as a secondary reinforcer. All animals were trained on 30 sessions, with an average of 5 min per training session per animal. The behaviors, trained in succession, were Targeting (reliably touching and following a Target); Collaborating (dominant animals allowing subordinates to train while stationing); Box-training (accepting being enclosed in a small compartment while responding to Target training) and initial Injection training.Fulfilled criteria for Targeting were obtained in 32/33 animals in a median of nine training sessions. Collaboration was obtained in 27/33 animals in a median of 15 training sessions. However, only four animals completed Box-training during the 30 training sessions and started Injection training. When comparing training success in terms of number of training sessions, training twice a day was less efficient than the other two treatments. In terms of daily progress, our results suggest that from a management perspective, daily training is more conducive to quick training success than thrice weekly training. In addition, in this study no further advantages could be gained from training twice a day.
Fernström
A-L
AL
Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control, Solna, Sweden.
Fredlund
H
H
Spångberg
M
M
Westlund
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D005260:Female; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000523:psychology*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric