Enrichment

According to the Guide:

“Many factors should be considered in planning for adequate and appropriate physical and social environment, housing, space, and management. These include:

  • The ability of the animals to form social groups with conspecifics through sight, smell, and possibly contact, whether the animals are maintained singly or in groups.
  • The availability or suitability of enrichments.”

“Animals should be housed with a goal of maximizing species-specific behaviors and minimizing stress induced behaviors.”

Below are some key species specific behaviors to be considered for the dogs in a research setting. These behaviors should be considered in the selection of the primary housing equipment, as well as in the selection of components for a good and effective enrichment program.

Behavior

Housing or Enrichment Consideration
Sociability

This consideration should drive the selection of the primary housing system.  This behavior should be addressed even for dogs on GLP toxicology studies.   Key elements of a good system include:

  • Ample space for a pair or group of animals
  • Flexibility to allow housing space to be easily increased or decreased as the size of the social group changes, or as study protocols change.
  • Accommodating safe human interaction.  Dutch doors allow petting and touching of animals without the necessity (risk) of entering the dog’s housing.
  • Accommodations that allow for establishment of a normal hierarchy.  A variety of climbing and resting surfaces play an integral part of the environment.  If not designed properly, these surfaces can limit the total space available to the animal(s).
Normal Activity

Dogs are naturally inquisitive and “follow their noses”.   Good housing and enrichment programs should include an exercise time and space that allows less restricted roaming.  This can be satisfied with large indoor or out door areas where a group of dogs can move and explore freely.  These areas should include climbing or exploration surfaces.
Tugging/Pulling/
Gnawing

Tugging, tearing and pulling are normal elements in pack animal feeding habits.  An enrichment program can stimulate this behavior with the introduction of a variety of chew toys.  Hanging objects enable the “pulling” instinct and can provide a more hygienic solution than objects that might otherwise lay foul on the floor.

An overhead “go-round” device for enrichment of dogs housed in research kennels.

An overhead “go-round” device for enrichment of dogs housed in research kennels.

Stuffing hollow toys with appropriate food items provides psychological enrichment. Specifically, it provides olfactory stimulation and it encourages normal hunting behavior. In addition, making canines work for some of their food reduces boredom and stress.

Operant conditioning in the laboratory environment
The introduction of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement programs can contribute positively to the reduction of stress of animals and can also serve as an excellent supplemental form of enrichment. Animals can be taught to relax during regular basic procedures, minimizing the use of some types of restraints. Blood draws, accepting injections, and routine monitoring of the animals can be accomplished. Conditioning can facilitate the ability to safely transport an animal and can help prepare an animal for a restraint situation.

Operant conditioning programs provide positive psychological enrichment. Training times also help to build and strengthen relationships between the animals and their handlers and care givers. Operant conditioning can also help extinguish unwanted behaviors like excessive barking in a kennel situation.

BH, Inc. can provide your staff with educational opportunities in Operant  Conditioning. Contact our office for more information.

Download More Information:

Animal Welfare Institute

Comfortable Quarters for Dogs In Research Institutions, R. Hubrecht
Operant Conditioning

Clicker Training by Karen Pryor
NC3Rs

Refinement benefits animal welfare and quality of science, M. Ritskes-Hoitinga