Skill Write-up
Animal Training
Overview
To become an animal trainer means to train the various creatures of Idalos for riding, harnessing, security, performance, obedience or even assisting those with disabilities. These men and women accustom animals to the proximity of people and their voice and contact; preparing them to perform a multitude of commands, either utilitarian or for show. In some cases, they may even train animals to carry a pack or work as part of a team.
Identifying Suitable Animals
As a player on Standing Trials, it is emphasized one should follow the rules of skill level when crafting a believable story. Within the confines of animal training, this involves selecting a creature within your capability to train. Often, in ST-specific creations the possibility of training the animal in question is listed within the write-up, such as the Dinili, a docile creature that make great family pets. At lower levels, common domesticated animals are the safest choice. Dogs, cats, some small birds, etc. Canines are considered a standard entry level animal due to its variety and how common they are in Idalos. Special creatures who are aggressive by nature or possess magical ability or appearance are likely to be require higher levels of animal training and a mod should be contacted if ever there is doubt. Please note, that not all creatures are trainable and may never respond to human command, even at higher levels of this skill. Depending on different factors, this may be overlooked with a specialized capstone ability but should be approved first by a local storyteller.
Training Practices
In order to select the most effective and appropriate training techniques and intended behaviors for the species, it is absolutely necessary to consider the following:
1. The animal's natural history. A character must consider the animal's predispositions in order to successfully understand it. For example, it may make more sense to ask an arboreal animal to station off the ground/on a perch. Does the animal maintain a pack or herd mentality? Is it a predator? What was the creature bred to do and what environment is is best suited for?[/list]
2. The animal's individual history. Consider the early rearing and life experiences of the animal being trained. For example, an animal that is imprinted on humans may be trained substantially differently than a wild-caught animal brought in as an adult. Consider mental health (was it abused?), as well as physical restrictions or difficulties acquired during their life.
3. The animal's function or role in your collection. The animal may be in the collection as part of a breeding or education program. The type of training and your level of interactions with that animal may differ, depending on the function that this animal serves for a character.
Common Terminology
Baiting - Baiting is when a trainer uses food to lure an animal.
Positive Reinforcement - Occurs when an animal's behavior is followed by a pleasant stimulus that increases occurrences of the behavior in the future. This often includes treats or praise, either verbal or physical.
Negative Reinforcement - Negative reinforcement means taking something away that increases or maintains the frequency of a behavior. Example of negative reinforcement is when the dog’s bottom is pushed to force the dog into a sit, and then released once the dog is in a sit. If the behavior of sitting goes up in frequency, the behavior was negatively reinforced by the removal of the pressure on the dog’s rear end.
Positive Punishment - Positive punishment means adding something after the animal performed a behavior that makes the frequency of that behavior go down. Example: A dog jumps up and the trainer knees them in the chest. The next time you see the dog, it does not jump up. The trainer has positively punished the dog jumping. Please note that positive punishment is a controversial technique to some.
Negative Punishment - Negative punishment is done by removing something the animal values, thus decreasing the possibility of the animal’s behavior repeating in the future. A good example is neglecting to give the dog attention when he jumps on you, where “attention” is what you're taking away from the dog.
Clicker - Usually a small handheld device with dogs used in 'clicker training', a method which uses a unique sound, or click, to tell a dog that he has done something right.
Animal Psychology
Trainers must understand the psychology of the animals they train the limits of each animal type. Creatures who are naturally prey in the wild may struggle to ever overcome these natural instincts, such as rabbits who may or may not ever enjoy being held, believing it to be a larger predator carrying them away. Once animals are trained, trainers may also need to teach the animals' owners. They may train a horse and its rider, or a dog and its human handler.
Creature Care
Training animals is only part of a trainer's tasks. They must also care for animals under the supervision. Trainers who keep animals while they are being trained must also feed the animals, exercise them, maintain health, and clean their kennels, stables, or other living areas. They should record diet, health, treatment and behavior, as well as any changes in these categories. Trainers who have larger facilities may employ animal caretakers who do animal maintenance tasks for them or vice versa. Trainers may hire, train, and supervise these workers so it is imperative that the successful animal trainer have skill in animal husbandry.
Skill Levels
Novice
Competent
Expert
Master
Overview
To become an animal trainer means to train the various creatures of Idalos for riding, harnessing, security, performance, obedience or even assisting those with disabilities. These men and women accustom animals to the proximity of people and their voice and contact; preparing them to perform a multitude of commands, either utilitarian or for show. In some cases, they may even train animals to carry a pack or work as part of a team.
Identifying Suitable Animals
As a player on Standing Trials, it is emphasized one should follow the rules of skill level when crafting a believable story. Within the confines of animal training, this involves selecting a creature within your capability to train. Often, in ST-specific creations the possibility of training the animal in question is listed within the write-up, such as the Dinili, a docile creature that make great family pets. At lower levels, common domesticated animals are the safest choice. Dogs, cats, some small birds, etc. Canines are considered a standard entry level animal due to its variety and how common they are in Idalos. Special creatures who are aggressive by nature or possess magical ability or appearance are likely to be require higher levels of animal training and a mod should be contacted if ever there is doubt. Please note, that not all creatures are trainable and may never respond to human command, even at higher levels of this skill. Depending on different factors, this may be overlooked with a specialized capstone ability but should be approved first by a local storyteller.
Training Practices
In order to select the most effective and appropriate training techniques and intended behaviors for the species, it is absolutely necessary to consider the following:
1. The animal's natural history. A character must consider the animal's predispositions in order to successfully understand it. For example, it may make more sense to ask an arboreal animal to station off the ground/on a perch. Does the animal maintain a pack or herd mentality? Is it a predator? What was the creature bred to do and what environment is is best suited for?[/list]
2. The animal's individual history. Consider the early rearing and life experiences of the animal being trained. For example, an animal that is imprinted on humans may be trained substantially differently than a wild-caught animal brought in as an adult. Consider mental health (was it abused?), as well as physical restrictions or difficulties acquired during their life.
3. The animal's function or role in your collection. The animal may be in the collection as part of a breeding or education program. The type of training and your level of interactions with that animal may differ, depending on the function that this animal serves for a character.
Common Terminology
Baiting - Baiting is when a trainer uses food to lure an animal.
Positive Reinforcement - Occurs when an animal's behavior is followed by a pleasant stimulus that increases occurrences of the behavior in the future. This often includes treats or praise, either verbal or physical.
Negative Reinforcement - Negative reinforcement means taking something away that increases or maintains the frequency of a behavior. Example of negative reinforcement is when the dog’s bottom is pushed to force the dog into a sit, and then released once the dog is in a sit. If the behavior of sitting goes up in frequency, the behavior was negatively reinforced by the removal of the pressure on the dog’s rear end.
Positive Punishment - Positive punishment means adding something after the animal performed a behavior that makes the frequency of that behavior go down. Example: A dog jumps up and the trainer knees them in the chest. The next time you see the dog, it does not jump up. The trainer has positively punished the dog jumping. Please note that positive punishment is a controversial technique to some.
Negative Punishment - Negative punishment is done by removing something the animal values, thus decreasing the possibility of the animal’s behavior repeating in the future. A good example is neglecting to give the dog attention when he jumps on you, where “attention” is what you're taking away from the dog.
Clicker - Usually a small handheld device with dogs used in 'clicker training', a method which uses a unique sound, or click, to tell a dog that he has done something right.
Animal Psychology
Trainers must understand the psychology of the animals they train the limits of each animal type. Creatures who are naturally prey in the wild may struggle to ever overcome these natural instincts, such as rabbits who may or may not ever enjoy being held, believing it to be a larger predator carrying them away. Once animals are trained, trainers may also need to teach the animals' owners. They may train a horse and its rider, or a dog and its human handler.
Creature Care
Training animals is only part of a trainer's tasks. They must also care for animals under the supervision. Trainers who keep animals while they are being trained must also feed the animals, exercise them, maintain health, and clean their kennels, stables, or other living areas. They should record diet, health, treatment and behavior, as well as any changes in these categories. Trainers who have larger facilities may employ animal caretakers who do animal maintenance tasks for them or vice versa. Trainers may hire, train, and supervise these workers so it is imperative that the successful animal trainer have skill in animal husbandry.
Skill Levels
Novice
Competent
Expert
Master
