While working in a veterinary clinic or animal care facility, you will be required to participate in the development and the opportunity to implement long-term strategies to manage the undesirable behaviour of animals within those facilities.
An enrichment program for animals involves providing activities, environments, or stimuli that enhance an animal’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Enrichment helps to mimic the challenges and stimulation animals would naturally encounter in the wild or a more varied environment. It encourages natural behaviours such as foraging, hunting, exploring, and socializing, helping prevent boredom, frustration, and abnormal behaviours, especially in animals kept in captivity, such as in zoos, shelters, boarding facilities, or homes.
Goals of Enrichment Programs
- Promote Natural Behaviors: Encourage behaviours that animals would normally display in the wild, such as foraging, hunting, or exploring.
- Prevent Boredom: Provide stimulation to reduce boredom, frustration, and stress, which can lead to abnormal behaviours.
- Improve Physical Health: Keep animals physically active to maintain their health and well-being.
- Enhance Mental Stimulation: Challenge animals mentally to prevent cognitive decline and encourage problem-solving.
- Increase Animal Welfare: Create a more fulfilling and positive environment for the animals, improving their overall quality of life.
Types of Enrichment
1. Food-Based Enrichment |
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2. Sensory Enrichment |
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3. Physical/Structural Enrichment |
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4. Social Enrichment |
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5. Cognitive Enrichment |
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6. Occupational Enrichment |
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Examples of Enrichment Programs from different settings
1. Zoos and Wildlife Sanctuaries |
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2. Animal Shelters |
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3. Boarding Facilities and Daycare Centers |
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4. Domestic Pets (Home Environment) |
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Watch
The next couple of videos are examples of different animal care settings providing examples of animal enrichment programs.
Managing undesirable behaviours in animals requires a good understanding of animal behaviour, patience, and applying the right strategies. Below are some common approaches used to manage these behaviours across various animal care settings:
1. Positive Reinforcement
- Definition: Rewarding the animal when it shows desirable behaviour to encourage its repetition.
- Application: Use treats, praise, or toys when the animal responds correctly, reinforcing the behaviour you want.
- Example: If a dog barks excessively, reward it when it stays quiet or follows a “quiet” command.
2. Negative Reinforcement
- Definition: Removing an unpleasant stimulus when the desired behaviour is shown.
- Application: Apply a mild negative stimulus (not punishment) when the animal displays unwanted behaviour and remove it when they behave correctly.
- Example: Light pressure on a leash that is released when the dog stops pulling.
3. Redirection
- Definition: Distracting the animal and redirecting its focus to a more desirable behaviour.
- Application: When an animal engages in unwanted behaviour, divert their attention to something more appropriate.
- Example: If a cat is scratching the furniture, redirect it to a scratching post.
4. Consistency in Commands
- Definition: Using the same verbal or physical cues every time to communicate what is expected from the animal.
- Application: Stick to consistent commands and routines to prevent confusion, helping the animal understand boundaries.
- Example: If you're teaching a dog to “sit,” always use the same word or hand signal and reward when successful.
5. Environmental Modification
- Definition: Altering the environment to prevent undesirable behaviours or encourage more desirable behaviours.
- Application: Adjust the surroundings to make it easier for the animal to succeed.
- Example: If a horse tends to kick its stall door, add padding to reduce the impact or change its environment to reduce stress.
6. Training and Socialisation
- Definition: Gradually exposing the animal to different environments, people, and other animals to encourage calm behaviour.
- Application: Regular, controlled exposure helps reduce fear or aggression, leading to better behaviour.
- Example: Socialising a puppy with other dogs to prevent aggressive behaviour as it grows.
7. Avoid Reinforcing Undesirable Behaviours
- Definition: Ensuring unwanted behaviours are not unintentionally reinforced.
- Application: Don’t give attention (positive or negative) to undesirable behaviours, as this can sometimes reinforce them.
- Example: If a bird screeches for attention, ignoring it until it’s calm and quiet rewards the right behaviour.
8. Use of Time-Outs
- Definition: Temporarily removing the animal from a stimulating or rewarding environment when it misbehaves.
- Application: Time-outs should be short and not used as a punishment but as a way to break the behaviour cycle.
- Example: If a dog jumps on people, briefly placing it in a quiet room or kennel can help it understand that jumping leads to isolation.
9. Desensitisation and Counterconditioning
- Definition: Gradually exposing the animal to a stimulus that triggers undesirable behaviour while rewarding calm behaviour to reduce the negative response.
- Application: Slowly introduce the animal to the stimulus while ensuring they remain calm and are rewarded.
- Example: If a dog is afraid of the vacuum cleaner, start by rewarding it when the vacuum is present but turned off, and gradually progress to when it’s turned on.
10. Establishing Clear Boundaries and Structure
- Definition: Animals thrive when they understand their role within a structured environment.
- Application: Set clear rules and limits, and stick to them to create predictability and reduce anxiety.
- Example: For a horse that tries to bite while being saddled, establish a clear process and expectations during saddling and reward compliance.
11. Seeking Professional Help When Necessary
- Definition: In cases of severe behaviour issues, consult with a behaviourist or a trainer specialised in that species.
- Application: A professional can create a tailored behaviour modification plan and offer guidance for more persistent issues.
- Example: A certified dog behaviourist can help address aggressive behaviours requiring specialised intervention.
Watch
The next video is a quick tutorial explaining how to stop puppies from biting and strategies to use to work with this.
There are a number of areas in the management and strategy of dealing with those undesirable behaviours. Strategies to encourage natural behaviour may include:
- Consulting behaviour specialists for:
- Behaviour modification of animal
- Training for owner or handler
- Food or food-related enrichment to encourage foraging and hunting may be provided by:
- Giving animals opportunities to hunt or forage for food by hiding it in substrates
- Giving the animal food that requires processing (e.g. Peeling or shelling fruit or seeds)
- Gnawing manipulada (manipulation)
- Providing equipment to encourage appropriate exercise:
- Access to larger areas for free exercise or lead walking
- Climbing poles and scratching posts
- Ladders, ropes and treadmills
- Providing equipment and toys for skill development and time occupiers:
- Non-edible items that can be easily added or removed from the environment, such as toys (e.g. Balls, bells, toys, puzzles and mirrors)
- Providing species-appropriate housing and bedding:
- Hide boxes, tunnels and ladders
- Nest building or bedding material:
- Shredded paper
- Straw
- Substrate
- Wood shavings
- Perches, roosting shelves and nest boxes
- Social enrichment:
- Levels of contact with other animals of the same species or breed
- Social interactions between the animal and the carer may also be appropriate
Any strategies and or management must be done in accordance with your clinic/facility policies and procedures as well as in consultation with the supervisor, manager or business owner.
Case Study
Scenario: Addressing Undesirable Barking in a Shelter Dog
At Happy Paws Animal Care, a young dog named Buddy, a two-year-old Labrador mix was exhibiting excessive barking in his kennel. His barking was constant whenever people passed by, which made it difficult for the staff to manage the environment and for potential adopters to engage with him. The behaviour was likely linked to anxiety and overstimulation due to the shelter environment.
Strategy to Manage Undesirable Behaviour:
- Identifying the Cause: The staff observed Buddy's behaviour and determined that his barking was triggered by overstimulation from people walking by his kennel, as well as frustration from not receiving attention.
- Reducing Stimuli: To help reduce Buddy's overstimulation, the team implemented the strategy of covering his kennel with a blanket to limit visual stimuli. This helped reduce the number of triggers that led to his barking, creating a calmer environment.
- Positive Reinforcement: The staff used positive reinforcement to encourage calm behaviour. Whenever Buddy remained quiet and relaxed, he was rewarded with treats or verbal praise. This reinforced the idea that calmness, rather than barking, earned him rewards.
- Increased Physical and Mental Stimulation: Since Buddy's barking was also linked to excess energy, he was given more opportunities for physical exercise and mental stimulation. The staff increased his daily walks and provided him with puzzle feeders to keep him engaged and reduce frustration in his kennel.
Outcome:
After two weeks of consistent reinforcement, Buddy’s barking significantly decreased. He learned that calm behaviour led to positive outcomes, and the reduction in visual stimuli helped him stay relaxed. As a result, Buddy became more approachable, and his chances of being adopted improved.
This case study highlights the importance of identifying the triggers of undesirable behaviour and implementing a combination of environmental modifications, positive reinforcement, and appropriate mental and physical stimulation.
There may be, in some circumstances, a requirement for short-term management of animals that are exhibiting undesirable behaviour; this may be in a circumstance where the animal is malnourished and showing signs of stress as well as fear.
Then you may have to use a short-term strategy such as:
- Providing the animal with food that will assist in the recovery of the animal
- Providing the animal shelter:
- Shelter from the element
- Shelter and security whilst they are eating
No matter what strategy is being conducted, it must be conducted according to the facility's policies and procedures and as directed. You must also make sure that you make a concise note of the effect of the strategy.
Recognising signs of stress and malnutrition in animals is crucial for their well-being, particularly in animal care settings. Below are common signs and symptoms of each condition:
Signs and Symptoms of Stress in Animals:
Changes in Behaviour: |
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Physical Changes |
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Altered eating and drinking habits |
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Changes in the elimination habits |
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Posture and Body Language |
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Respiratory and Heart Changes |
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Social Signs |
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Signs and Symptoms of Malnourishment in Animals:
Weight Loss |
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Poor Coat Condition |
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Lethargy and Weakness |
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Gastrointestinal Issues |
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Poor Immune Function |
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Behavioural Changes |
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Dental Issues |
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Other Physical Symptoms |
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Delayed growth in young animals |
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When preparing and implementing enrichment programs, you need to make sure you comply with animal welfare and health and safety requirements.
Safe and humane animal handling techniques
When handling and conducting behavioural management processes, it is extremely important that you observe the health safety requirement as per the state and/or territory Health and Safety legislation, as well as your facility policies and procedures on health and safety.
Remember some of the key considerations with Safe and Humane Handling techniques include the following:
Following the health and safety requirements will not only look after your own health and safety as well as that of other staff and visitors to the facility but will also take into account the animals' health and welfare in your facility.
Workplace policies and procedures relevant to providing enrichment to animals, including health and safety and animal welfare
Providing enrichment to animals in a workplace setting is crucial for their physical and mental well-being. To ensure that enrichment activities are safe and effective, it’s important to follow workplace policies and procedures. These typically cover aspects such as health and safety, animal welfare, and legal requirements. Here’s an overview of key policies and procedures relevant to providing enrichment to animals:
Workplace policies and procedures, animal welfare, and WHS requirements may include:
- Animal welfare requirements:
- Compliance with appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations
- Keeping health and behaviour records
- Providing adequate housing and stock levels
- Providing appropriate enrichment opportunities
- The absence of pests and vermin
- The compatibility of species and breeds
- WHS requirements:
- Use of relevant personal protective equipment, such as animal handling gauntlets and eyewear
- Hazard identification, risk minimisation and workplace procedures for:
- Animal bites, kicks, scratches, crush injuries
- Biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
- Gas leakage
- Handling, use, storage, transport and disposal of chemicals and medicines
- Inhalation of aerosol particles
- Manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
- Needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
- To control the release of infective agents (animal and human)
- Transmission of zoonotic diseases.
When handling any animal, it is crucial to follow your workplace hygiene standards to ensure the health and safety of both the animals and the handlers. Proper hygiene practices help prevent the spread of diseases, infections, and parasites, and maintain a clean environment for everyone involved. Below are some important considerations for maintaining workplace hygiene when handling animals:
Key Considerations we have addressed before include:
- Cleaning agents
- Cleaning techniques
- Cleaning equipment and materials
It is important that you treat all animals using the principles of animal welfare and ethics, which are taken from the AVA code of professional conduct.
The community and your clients are entitled to expect that you will:
- Always consider the health, welfare and respectful treatment of the animal
- Take personal responsibility to uphold the good reputation and integrity of the profession
- Strive to provide the best possible services and improve the quality of animal health and welfare at every opportunity
- Foster and maintain good communications and relationships with your clients, earning their trust and respecting client confidentiality
- Understand and comply with all relevant laws and guidelines, especially those regarding animal welfare, veterinary certification and the prescribing of restricted substances
- Foster and endeavour to strengthen relationships with your professional colleagues, utilising their skills where appropriate
- Maintain and continue to enhance your professional knowledge and skills
- Wherever possible, adhere to AVA policies and guidelines.
What are some examples of zoonotic diseases?
Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that can pass from animals to humans. Seventy-five per cent of new human diseases are zoonotic.
Some zoonotic diseases, such as hydatids, anthrax, Hendra virus infection, avian influenza or rabies, are potentially very serious in humans and can cause fatalities.
It is important that people who handle animals, and people like vets who treat sick animals, are very aware of the risk of zoonotic diseases.
If there is a known risk, people should take active steps to reduce the risk, e.g. by avoiding or minimising contact with potentially infective animals or by using effective personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling such animals or their products.
The list of types of Zoonotic Diseases mentioned in various sources includes:
- Insect-borne diseases
- Mosquito-borne diseases
- Tick-borne diseases
- Rodent-borne diseases
- Flea-borne diseases
- Louse-borne diseases
- Mite conditions
- Lice conditions
- Dog bite
- Cat bite
- Toxoplasmosis - often caught from cat faeces.
- Australia bat lyssavirus
- Anthrax
- Babesiosis
- Brucellosis
- Cat scratch disease
- Giardiasis
- Histoplasmosis (Very rare in Australia)
- Listeriosis
- Psittacosis
- Q fever
- Salmonellosis
- Toxocariasis
- Hydatid disease
- Leptospirosis
- Eastern equine encephalitis
- Western equine encephalitis
As you can see from the list above, there are a large number of diseases that can be caught from animals; therefore, it is vitally important that you follow health and safety when handling the animals at all times.
Enrichment programs are designed to provide mental and physical stimulation to animals, encouraging natural behaviours and enhancing their overall well-being. Different species require tailored enrichment to meet their specific needs. Here are examples of enrichment programs for various types of animals:
Dogs |
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Cats |
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Birds (Parrots, Cockatoos) |
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Small Mammals (Rabbits, Guinea Pigs) |
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Horses |
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Reptiles (Snakes, Lizards, Turtles) |
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Farm Animals (Pigs, Goats, Cows, Sheep) |
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Aquatic Animals (Fish, Turtles, Marine Mammals) |
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Wildlife Sanctuary |
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Zoo Animals (Big Cats, Primates, Elephants) |
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Watch
Below are some videos providing examples of Enrichment Activities.
Encourage Natural Behaviour: Rest, Hiding, and Shelter in Appropriate Housing
Encouraging animals to engage in natural behaviours like resting, hiding, and seeking shelter is essential for their well-being. These behaviours help reduce stress, promote physical and mental health, and align with the animals’ instincts. Below are strategies and examples of activities and equipment for different types of animals.
Strategies to Encourage Natural Behaviour: Rest, Hiding, and Shelter in Appropriate HousingEncouraging animals to engage in natural behaviours like resting, hiding, and seeking shelter is essential for their well-being. These behaviours help reduce stress, promote physical and mental health, and align with the animals’ instincts. Below are strategies and examples of activities and equipment for different types of animals. 1. Resting BehavioursObjective: To provide an environment that encourages animals to rest and sleep in a comfortable, safe space, mirroring their natural habits. Activities and Equipment:
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2. Hiding BehavioursObjective: To create opportunities for animals to hide or retreat, offering them privacy and a sense of security. Hiding spaces reduce stress, allowing animals to feel safe when needed. Activities and Equipment:
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3. Shelter and SecurityObjective: To provide structures and spaces that allow animals to feel protected from environmental elements (e.g., wind, rain, heat) and maintain their natural shelter-seeking behaviours. Activities and Equipment:
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Encouraging natural behaviours like resting, hiding, and seeking shelter ensures animals feel safe and secure in their environment. By providing the right equipment and activities, these instincts can be nurtured, resulting in healthier, more content animals. Proper housing, regular enrichment, and observation of individual preferences are key to supporting natural behaviours across different species.
Encourage Natural Behaviour by Reinforcing the Role of Owner or Handler
Encouraging natural behaviours while reinforcing the relationship between an animal and its owner or handler is essential for building trust, confidence, and a sense of security. This can be done through specific activities and equipment tailored to the needs of each species. The goal is to ensure that interactions with handlers support the animals’ well-being while fostering positive engagement and respect.
1. DogsNatural Behaviour: Dogs are naturally social animals that thrive on structure, leadership, and companionship. Owners and handlers should reinforce these instincts through training and positive reinforcement, helping the dog understand its role within the pack or family unit. Activities and Equipment:
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2. CatsNatural Behaviour: Cats are naturally independent but still bond with their owners. They rely on their instincts for hunting and exploration, and the owner or handler can foster trust through gentle guidance, play, and feeding routines. Activities and Equipment:
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3. Birds (Parrots)Natural Behaviour: Parrots are intelligent, social creatures that naturally live in flocks and engage in complex communication and problem-solving behaviours. Owners and handlers can reinforce these natural tendencies by providing mental stimulation and opportunities for social interaction. Activities and Equipment:
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4. Reptiles (Snakes)Natural Behaviour: Snakes are solitary, instinct-driven creatures that rely on routines and predictable environments. While they don't bond with handlers in the same way as dogs or cats, they can learn to associate their handler with positive experiences like feeding. Activities and Equipment:
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5. HorsesNatural Behaviour: Horses are herd animals with strong social structures. They respond well to handlers who display leadership through calm, consistent guidance, similar to the role of a dominant horse in a herd. Activities and Equipment:
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