Skoumbourdis, E. K. 2008. Pole-and-collar-and-chair training. Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum (electronic discussion group), January 24, 2008.

All the monkeys I have pole/collar/chair trained have gone through an initial phase of resistance both when the pole was being attached to the collar, and when they were first put into the chair, but for the most part they finally did settle down and cooperate. All it takes is patience and gentle determination on the part of the trainer. I always collar my animals at least a week or two before the first training session so they get used to wearing the collar. If they're not comfortable with the collar, it really sets the training back because they will spend most of their time pulling at the collar and scratching at their neck. To start the training, I first make sure that the trainee is comfortable enough with me that he/she is willing to take treats from my hand. I subsequently include the pole, offering treats with one hand, while holding the pole close to the cage in the other. The animals readily get used to this little ceremony and soon seem to ignore the pole, but focuse more on the treats. The poles come with that handy little clip that opens and closes for collar attachment. The clip is a great place to hook treats, which the monkey has to retrieve directly from the "dreaded pole." I like to stuff a marshmallow tightly into the clip. This makes it a little harder for the animal to get the treat, and extends the time the animal is in contact with the pole. Once the monkey retrieves treats consistently, without signs of apprehension or fear, I start moving the un-baited pole very carefully in the cage, and finally, also touch the animal with it. In subsequent sessions, I gently tap the collar with the pole. When the training session is over, I hang the pole outside on the front of the cage so that the animal gets more and more acquainted with it. Needless to say that I always distribute extra rewards (jackpot if it's deserved!) before I leave the room. I have trained animals living in both, cages equipped with squeeze-backs and those without. If the animal's cage has a squeeze-back, I use it only with the tougher customers. But, generally, I try to avoid using it so that the trainee is always in control of the situation. I believe this greatly helps the animals to stay relaxed, continue to trust me, and learn quickly what is expected from them in each training session. I also consistently reward cooperation with a treat and verbal praise. If the animal doesn't cooperate, patience from my part replaces the reward. I feel that this strategy helps to create a tension-free ambience for the monkey and for the trainer. The first few times the pole is actually attached to the collar can be quite dramatic. The trainees usually 'freak out' the moment they realize what is happening to them. However, there is no reason for panic. I simply leave the pole attached, maintain a firm grip, and talk reassuringly to the animal who will gradually calm down, stop squirming, and remain quiet long enough so that I carefully unhook and remove the pole. This interaction is always followed by a generous treat reward which, in my experience, is never refused. During the next sessions, I get the trainee to sit still with the pole attached to the collar for progressively extended periods of time, until he/she 'forgets' about the pole and takes treats from me. I repeat this step several times. Some animals adjust better to this situation than others, but they all end up remaining reasonably still with the pole attached to the collar. Coaxing the poled monkey to come out of the cage is always a big challenge. After all, the familiar home cage is a relatively safe haven for these animals. With patience, and many reassuring words, the trainee does finally stop resisting, follows the pull of the pole, and comes out of the cage. Should the animal begin to thrash about once outside of the cage, I take the pole and carefully, but firmly, push the animal's head to the floor. To be clear, I do not throw him/her down but rather use the pole to turn the collar up towards the animal's head and then apply some forward and downward pressure in a determined manner. The monkey is now fixed and can get his/her bearings while remaining safe from causing himself or herself any serious harm. I have noticed over and over again that you can help the animal to calm down when you speak to him/her reassuringly with a gentle whisper-like voice. When the animal has settled down, I carefully start to walk him or her again; I will drop a few treats on the floor for the animal to pick up as he/she moves along the floor. After a few sessions, most trainees will feel confident enough to walk, rather than struggle, on the pole. If a monkey continues to resist after two or three sessions, I'll call in reinforcements. Most collars have two sides where a pole can be attached. By adding a second pole, directed by a second person, the animal is easier to guide in a forward motion. I've found that it takes about one week of training until a monkey will cooperate and walk on the pole in a reasonably calm manner and pick up treats from the floor as a reward for good behavior. My goal is to get the trainees to walk, because after they come out of their cages they have a lot of pent-up energy that they like to release; especially the younger animals. I treat this solely as a reward for good behavior. If the poled animals walk calmly, I let them do so for a few minutes, but if they start playing 'super man,' I pull them straight back into their cages. If you don't have enough space, or the racks are enticingly close for climbing and rattling, or if you are a little new at this and do not have a second person around who can help you control the monkey if need arises, the pole walking isn't a good idea. Now, onto the chair: 1. Push the chair up against a wall, with the entrance facing out, and put all the brakes on. This keeps the chair stable and makes it impossible for the monkey to walk straight through (a situation that isn't any fun when you're on the other end of the pole!). Allow the monkey to explore the chair, touch it, climb it, walk around it, and perhaps retrieve a treat or two that you have placed somewhere on the chair.3. After a day or so, coax the monkey into the sitting position in the chair. Do this by gently lifting the animal's neck into position and get the collar into place. If another person, who is also on very good terms with the trainee, can help you, the situation becomes less of a challenge, especially when you are dealing with a strong and extremely stubborn monkey. Once you have your monkey in place, let him/her adjust for a few minutes. Don't forget the treats! Some animals will be initially restless and try to push your hand away; but with gentle patience they will settle down and finally accept the food reward. 4. Gradually extend the time the trainee remains in the chair over the next few days. Always be sure to remain close by to serve as a comforting social support. Should the animal show any signs of discomfort, try giving him/her further treat rewards. If he or she continues to be restless, abort the training session; you do not want the animal to relate the chair with discomfort and/or distress. I have found that each 'big step' involves an initial struggle, but I have also found that with consistency and patience, the animals learn quite quickly what I expect them to do. I have had several animals who were fully trained and just came up to the front of the cage without being squeezed. They actually presented their necks so that their collar loop was exposed for me to attach the hook of the pole. All of these monkeys struggled a great deal when I first started working with them. It is amazing how these animals gradually relax into the training sessions and finally start working with you, rather than against you. Trust in the trainer is the ultimate key for success. Nonhuman primates are intelligent; when they are free of apprehension or fear, they quickly figure out that it is much easier and even rewarding for them to cooperate with you rather than resist. A successfully trained monkey will have developed so much trust in you that he/she will never fight against you when you pole and chair him/her. When I train animals, I work with them once or twice daily, five days a week (with additional weekend sessions if needed) until the goal of the training has been achieved. I have found that if I don't work with them on a consistent schedule, they tend to get 'rusty' rather quickly. The faster you can get them over the initial struggling, the easier the whole training sequence. If you try to pole a monkey who vigorously resists on a Monday, and decide to wait and try again on Friday, chances are that the struggle will be the same, if not worse. However, if you are persistent and repeat the training step over and over again every day, you will definitely notice progress by the end of the week. I imagine that without consistency and patience, the training would be a rather frustrating experience, both for the trainer and for the trainee. To pole-collar-chair train a monkey can be a very rewarding process that is not necessarily time-consuming. I have successfully trained 19 animals: two adult female rhesus, four adult male rhesus, five juvenile male rhesus, four adult female cynomolgus, and four adult male cynomolgus. My quickest subject took just five days of training to reliably cooperate (I should mention that he was two years old and an angel!), while other animals have taken me well over a month to get going - especially older rhesus who can be very stubborn and hard to food-motivate. Also, I have had some animals who were just never meant to be put in a chair. This is a reality that both you and the investigators must acknowledge. You cannot force a monkey to cooperate and be relaxed in the chair. It's impossible. Sure, you can try, but you're not going to win.