Operant Conditioning with Northwestern Gray Wolves

At the California Wolf Center (CWC), our wolf care team continuously researches and implements a variety of strategies to enhance the quality of care our wolves receive. An effective tool we’ve utilized this year involved expanding our cooperative care for our resident northwestern gray wolves. With the integration of operant conditioning into our northwestern gray wolf care routine, our team is hoping to gain the ability to provide necessary veterinary care with minimal stress to the wolves.

Classical Conditioning Vs. Operant Conditioning

Training is a huge component of supporting the wellbeing and care of animals. Simulating naturally occurring situations out in the wild within captivity encourages animals to express their natural behavior, promote mental stimulation, while improving husbandry and cooperation.

A couple of training techniques animal care teams use are classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Classical conditioning is defined by the National Library of Medicine as, “the process in which an automatic, conditioned response is paired with specific stimuli.” Whereas operant conditioning is an approach achieved by shaping desired behavior responses to various stimuli, in this case, through positive reinforcement.

The Need for Training at the CWC

Wolves are instinctually neophobic, which means they are afraid of anything new. Although wolves are apex predators, their fear pushes them to remain as far away as possible from all things foreign to them. This includes humans, which makes administering vet care, like annual vaccines, a challenge.

In June 2023, the wolf care staff started operant conditioning with our northwestern gray wolves; Wintu, Tulisi, Poppy, and Yana. Due to our Mexican gray wolves being potential release candidates we are intentionally excluding them from this training.

Our goal for our northwestern grays is to become familiar and comfortable with receiving vet care. Our staff use tools like whistles to bridge stimuli and response, along with verbal cues to train the wolves to move to an ideal position to easily receive vet treatments. Keeping in mind that wolves are neophobic, the training is done with a fence barrier between trainer and wolf for protection. This is never done inside the enclosure, for safety and to reduce stress on the animal.

In a short six months this is what our team has accomplished:
● All wolves know their names and are learning the command “come.”
● Administering Wintu his daily joint medicine has had increased success.
● Poppy has improved the duration she stays at her assigned station.

Training is a great form of enrichment. It helps our wolves learn new things, increases quality of life, and it fosters trust between wolf and trainer. As our wolves progress through cooperative behavioral training, performing vet care will make it easier to maintain their health while also decreasing the stress they experience.

You Can Help Support Our Wolf Care Team

Research and training are made possible by the support of people like you! There are a variety of easy ways you can help the CWC further our mission in the conservation of wolves:
● Become a CWC member
● Attend one of our tours or webinars
● Participate in our volunteer opportunities
● Donate
● Shop in our online gift shop or Nature Store in downtown Julian
● Purchase items from our Amazon wishlist
● Simply spread the word about wolves and CWC’s mission

Even by reading this blog, you are being a part of the solution for a better understanding of wolves and ultimately a better tomorrow. The CWC will continue our unwavering efforts in wolf conservation to secure a healthier world for wolves and all of us who inhabit it!

Resource: National Library of Medicine:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470326/