Monkey Business for the Puppy School Regional Manager Team
As animal trainers, it is important that our knowledge and skills are continually developed and expanded so we can continue to excel in positive training techniques. Sarah Smith, Operations Manager, explains how a visit to the zoo enabled this and why it won’t be easily forgotten.
For two days in September (2024) Puppy School ‘s 14 Regional Managers and Founder Gwen Bailey, headed to Paignton Zoo, Torquay to embark upon a two day of animal training working with some of the Zoo’s monkeys.
Led by experienced Certified Animal Behaviourist and zoo training expert, Jo Mason (Educating Animals), together with the keepers of Paignton Zoo, we worked with Hamadrya Baboons, Diana Monkeys and Sulawesi Black Crested Macaques.
Each primate species had a desired goal set by their keepers, something that could be used to enhance their welfare and well being. We needed to consider, plan, assess and evaluate for each primate we were working with. Just like puppies that attend our classes, individual personalities and traits, as well as reward preferences were an important factor for achieving success.
The Hamadrya Baboons were taught to put their arm thorugh a drainpipe and hold a bar at the end. This is something that can be developed and used for consent based handling when giving injections or taking blood draws, for example.
The Diana Monkeys were taught to distinguish between two images presented on paddles by touching the desired image, useful for keeping these intelligent animals mentally stimulated. Similarly, the Sulawesi Black Crested Macaques were taught to touch a target stick, not an easy ask for primates who have had no previous training.
Hamadrya Baboon target training
Diana Monkey being rewarded
Sulawesi Black Crested Macaque
By using reward based methods (and lots of peanuts, vegetables and fruit!), our team were able to shape and capture the desired behaviour that they wanted for every animal, adjusting their training plans to build success without compromising the welfare of each primate. We wrote a training plan for each animal (a legal requirement for training exotic animals) as well as notes on progress achieved, which were shared with the keepers at Paignton Zoo. We were all amazed at how fast they learnt when compared with dogs!
Regional Manager Neal Otter target training a Baboon
It’s safe to say that the event was a huge success all round and as an added bonus, the team also got to feed the Giraffes!
“I’ve been experiencing the most unbelievable, emotional, educational and heartwarming time of my life…” Amanda Childs, Regional Manager for Surrey and Wiltshire.
“…working with Baboons has been an activity that I never realised I had been craving. Knowing I will have helped to teach (Baboon) a new skill that will help improve his welfare and further enrich his life is just heart warming.” Debbie Taylor, Regional Manager for North Wales and Mid-West.
“Being part of an experience that pushed the training skills of a group of awesome Puppy School Regional Managers to the next level has been one of the most unforgettable and humbling experiences of my life.” Chrissie Pargeter, Regional Manager for Hampshire and Sussex.
We would like to thank Jo Mason and the wonderful staff, keepers and animals at Paignton Zoo for making this experience possible.
Testimonials
What Clients say
about Puppy School
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“We loved the training sessions ! Boyce loved seeing his puppy friends and the training really helped give us a bit of confidence with lots of support offered. ”— Terry
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“Puppy School has been an all round excellent package from start to finish but the greatest asset to this training was Sally! Sally was calm, clear and responsive to us all so you feel you get the benefit from being in a group of handlers and puppies with all the benefits of that but also individual attention to support you and your puppies specific needs/issues. Banjo is a nervous puppy, Sally was very sensitive to this and managed situations so Banjo benefitted from all the training exercises and interaction in a very positive way. She also gave me lots of support in how to help him outside of class. It was also brilliant to have a booklet and online access at home to watch reminder supporting material videos of the things taught in each session. There were also a range of vouchers and free trial bags of different foods which has proven helpful in determining what works for Banjo. I have had several puppies over the years, and have been to several classes, this has been the best experience yet for both me and my puppy. Thanks especially to Sally! ”— Maria
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“Caroline was lovely, clearly knowledgeable, very approachable and patient.”— Sarah
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“Very enjoyable course with Sally being extremely calm , friendly and informative. She explained and demonstrated each task very well, it’s purpose and what practice should be done and how often. She was also very reassuring and encouraging if the puppy (or owner!) didn’t quite do things correctly.”— Annie
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“Frankie was amazing, absolutely loved going every week and so did Riley. We learnt so much in such a lovely and fun atmosphere!”— Jane