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Pictures
such as those shown here were not taken in the midst of action scenes.
Animals in these pictures were trained to let themselves be molded to any
posture that the trainer desired and then to hold that pose for quite some
time if needed. To accomplish this, the trainer used shaping procedures
and lots of reinforcement. The dog in each of these pictures was named
Putty. Putty gained international renown for his ability to remain
motionless while the photographer and the Brelands posed him in funny
situations, like playing poker. Later, the Brelands and the Baileys
used this procedure of shaping and reinforcing the animal for remaining still
for periods of time while conducting medical procedures with a variety of
animals. For example, this technology is essential for having dolphins,
sea lions, whales, and elephants cooperate during medical procedures like
drawing blood, getting an injection, and cooperating during ultrasound
procedures. |