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The way they teach this behavior in the zoos is to start with a syringe of
water. When the animal is accepting a syringe of straight water, they add a
few drops of vinegar to the syringe. Some syringes are straight water, and
some are a slight mix.

When the animal is okay with the slight mix, they add a few more drops. Same
routine -- mostly water syringes, but occasional ones with a mixed solution.

They go very slowly, increasing the concentration of vinegar very, very
gradually -- and not increasing until the animal is fine with the prior
criterion. And, there's always a big percentage of straight water solutions.
(All reps, by the way, are reinforced with something yummy afterward.)

Eventually, the animal will take a syringe of vinegar willingly. Why
vinegar? Because it tastes awful, and they figure that any medicine they
administer will be less aversive in comparison!

They teach injections, blood draws, and other husbandry behavior in the same
step-by-step way. It's safer for the handlers, even in protected contact,
and MUCH less stressful to the animal.

Melissa 


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