The intent of the Rhino Management section of the web site is to help keepers and managers expand their knowledge of topics directly related to captive rhinoceros care. Please help expand this section by contributing content you have as a caretaker of rhinoceros. Please send any paper you have written, article you have published or presentation you have presented that is relevant to this topic (Training) to dclawson@thewilds.org. Please include your permission to use your material in this web site.

Rhinos and Training

To improve rhino management, keepers have developed training guidelines to meet a variety of husbandry needs and provide mental stimulation. A well-managed program would enhance the success of most non-invasive veterinary procedures, as well as permit the execution of more intensive practices. In general, the same training principles can be applied to all rhino species, but it is imperative that the keepers are consistent and follows the institution’s training protocols.

Description of Selective Behaviors and Their Commands

Target - This command is used for positioning of the rhino. The correct response is to touch the target with its upper lip. The target is placed at the location where the trainer wants the rhino positioned and when the rhino approaches the target it will touch the target with its upper lip.

Lean In or Over - This command is used for lateral positioning the rhinos for blood draws, and can be used to evaluate the condition of the rhino. To get the animal to perform this behavior the trainer uses the command “target” to line the animal up, and then holds the target to the animal’s hip or shoulder. When the “over” command is given, the animal should then side step towards the target. The correct response to this command is to bring the targeted side of the rhino towards the barrier (being lined up parallel with the barrier), with the hip or front shoulder actually touching the target. The animal can be stopped at any point by using the bridge, but is generally asked to step all the way to the barrier so the animal’s side is in contact with it.

Back side		Front Shoulder

Open - This command is used for checking the mouth for gum coloration, presence of lesions or sores, or general dentition inspection. With this command, the trainer targets the animal’s head into proper position, and then issues the command “open”. The correct response for this command is to have the mouth open far enough to check the animal’s teeth. Some trainers actually use the physical cue to touching the upper and/or lower lip(s) as the signal with the “open” command. Then use the “hold” command to maintain the mouth in desired position.

Foot - This command can be used for positioning desired leg for phlebotomy procedure and can be used to perform any necessary footwork. Place the block in front of the desired foot (usually the foot closest to trainer), and give the command “foot” to signal lifting of foot onto the block and placing it flat on the surface. Once the foot is on the block, the trainer then places a hand on top of the foot while saying, “steady”. The rhino should keep the foot on the block until the release command is given. The foot can be shifted forward on the block to facilitate easy filing of the nail(s). Animals can also be conditioned to permit placement of nails on block so their pad can be thoroughly inspected and trimmed, as needed.

Steady - This command is given when the trainer needs the rhino to hold position for a certain amount of time. For example: When drawing blood, steady is used to keep the animal’s leg in position while blood is being drawn.

Phlebotomy procedure (front leg) – Rhinos are generally conditioned to either place legs in desired position or place foot on block for phlebotomy procedures. Initially trainer will need to condition for positioning, then steady command and finally desensitization to venipuncture. Desensitization to venipuncture can start as simple as touching the inner surface of front leg opposite trainer and progress to use of blunted needle, etc. to simulate the pressure and device(s) used for procedure. Remember to bridge and reward animal for maintenance of position during this process since that will be a required behavior for this process. Once you progress to the actual venipuncture itself, you may have to do initial stick, reward/re-focus animal, repeat steady command, and then finally proceed to repositioning needle for phlebotomy process. In most rhino species proper conditioning will enable blood samples to be taken from the ear, base of tail, front or rear legs.

Vein on opposite leg

Initial Stick

Down - The correct response to this command is to lie down sternal, parallel to the bars. To get some animals to lie down the trainer brings either side of the rhino over to the barriers, using the command “over”, and then use a physical cue such as rubbing the rhino’s back or the inside of the back legs to encourage them to lie down. The final result will be animals placing themselves in a sternal position parallel to barrier. This behavior has so been trained via shaping and the use of the “target”.

Cue – Rubbing the rhino’s back				Result

Sitting Position

Chute/restraint Training

The use of a chute to restrain and/or confine the animal can be helpful in preventing the rhino from moving excessively during a procedure, which could cause injury to the animal or trainer. The first step in restraint training is getting the animal comfortable entering the device. Animal can either be “targeted” into the chute, or use successive approximation to progress to the end goal of entering the chute. Depending on the construction of your particular restraint, it may advantageous to have restraint in the fully open position during this initial phase then progress to shutting the front door, and finally progressing to full confinement. To shape the entrance behavior, the animal is rewarded for making progress towards the chute. For example, if the animal is standing just outside the chute, for each step it takes towards the chute the animal is bridged and rewarded until it is completely within the restraint.

Once the animal is in the restraint, it is a good idea to get the animal comfortable remaining in the chute for a period of time and “bridging” for calm demeanor while within the restraint before training any other behaviors within the device.

Trainer must remember to desensitize animal (and reward calm demeanor and attitude) to the visual and auditory sounds of door movement in front and behind animal and any other moving parts of the device before progressing to training additional behaviors.

Some common commands and behaviors associated with the chute are:

• Steady – Command given to have the animal remain in the desired position (i.e. if the rhino’s foot is on a block).
• Over or Lean in – Command given to have the animal step, or move the entire body closer to the wall of the chute.
• Back – Command given to the have the animal step backwards, either for positioning or exiting the chute.
• Move Up – Command given to have the rhino step forward for positioning, can also be used to enter/exit the chute.
• Foot – This is used generally to place a foot on a block, or to position it in a way to draw blood.
• Ear – Command given to relax the ear to draw blood.
• Tail – Command given to relax the tail, which allows the trainer the ability to manipulate the tail in the desired position, either for blood draws, or rectal ultrasound/palpations.