Big Cat Rescue Operant Conditioning - Big Cat TV

[IBroLLyISePhIrOtH]

bengali :)

[AmandaGbur]

you guys really need to get a better camera. Really interesting stuff though!

[jimmym1a1]

i wonder if they would be scared of a big dog like a german shepard or pitbull, cause aren't all cats sorta scared of dogs? especially when they bark?

[BigCatRescue]

@jimmym1a1 No chance! If you're talking about species of cat smaller than the dog maybe but otherwise the cats wouldn't be scared :)

[kittysmileful]

@jimmym1a1 they would!

[kapranoshw]

How did you (Dr. Liz Wynn) made it to this field? Where did you go to undergrad school and veterinary school did you go? I am interested of working with big cats. Did you volunteer at a local zoo during undergraduate school? This video is amazing. Thank You for posting it up! :)

[GeordieTerrier]

Erm sorry to point this out but at 3:51 she's late with the clicker. That is not how either operant conditioning or clicker training works. The whole point of using a clicker is so that once they learn click=food you can reward them instantly without having to stick food immediately in their faces. What is happening at that point I'm afraid is lure. But still a good job, from the rest of the video it looked like a oneoff and everyone does that, even experts. Keep the good work up :D

[Disneylover1023]

Thank you for the video!! I found this VERY cool!!!

[1SOF1]

Why do you Click and feed at the exact same time? It's click then treat.

[Discordia5]

I love how she tells him "Good boyyyyy!" It looks like he knows it, how he prances into his cage. They're so happy to see her (or possibly want to eat her, it's hard to tell from a video).

[BigCatRescue]

I think the only thing they know is that they just got some extra food as a treat! But then again you never know?

[Discordia5]

The way I see it, training/conditioning opens up a dialogue between human and animal that both species can understand. I like to think that the cat is attached to their caretaker, and that they enjoy doing what is asked of someone they like. At least my pets are that way, although these kitties definitely aren't pets. They do seem to love you guys though!! (Anthropomorphism? Probably, but it's hard for me to see it any other way with videos of them purring and squeaking for the camera.)

[Retrieverman1]

You guys at Big Cat Rescue do an excellent job.

[shandling]

most trainers are minders of animals, not trainers, a real trainer (smart one) uses different tones, and pitches of sound to get response and create attention, good boy and well done doesnt mean anything rather the sylable factor aswell as pitch/tone.

[mindyabuisness]

she is using a clicker as a bridge to the correct behaviour from the animal, which the animals have already learnt so they don't need much variation in tone of voice etc at this stage

[Cassiepeia]

She's just trying to explain the method of training they use (and doing a good job in my opinion). Geez, give the woman a break.

[AQuinault]

Funny watching this lady give a cold scientific discourse on these cats. Cats are "human" enough to to deserve better than an objective analysis like this.

[capnquack]

>>;; Most humans perform best under operant conditioning themselves, especially when they don't realize it's being used on them. Sorry, but the fact that they can train cats to do anything at all is amazing - I don't know too many domestic owners who can do anything with their cat save for making it come when the can opener turns on.

[BigCatRescue]

CapNQuack, one thing to note is that if the cat does not want to participate it is NOT forced to participate. The vast majority of the time, though, to cat does it to get the special treat. They are NEVER punished in anyway if they choose not to participate.  It is good that they do participate because it allows the vets & keepers to get a good look at paws and bellies etc without causing stress to the cat.