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My Pet World: Animal Behaviorists Share their Expertise

By Steve Dale, Tribune Media Services on

Run the other way if the instructor is using a choke (chain link), prong (with inverted points), or electronic (shock) collar in a puppy class. Jones raises her voice when referring to such techniques. "Oh, God, no! Relying on a shock collar for basic training is like being electrified to do your job; it's not necessary."

When it comes to teaching, arguably no person alive has taught so much to parrots as Irene Pepperberg, president of the Alex Foundation; research associate, Harvard University; and adjunct associate professor, Brandeis University. Alex, the African Grey Parrot featured on many TV shows, passed away nearly five years ago, but Pepperberg's work on parrot intellect continues.

A scientific paper hot off the press reveals that Alex was able not only to count in English (not unusual for birds) but also in Arabic. If you asked Alex, "How many cups?" he could even add them.

Pepperberg says all parrots are pretty darn smart, but Alex would get so bored with learning that sometimes he clearly offered the wrong answers to questions on purpose. How does Pepperberg know this?

"It had to be," she says. "If it was a random wrong guess, it happens once in a while, but statistically to always pick the wrong one is otherwise quit improbable."

 

To find a dog, cat, parrot or horse behavior consultant near you, check www.iaabc.org.

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Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2010 Westridge Drive, Irving, TX 75038. Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he also hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.


(c) 2012 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

 

 

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