A device useful in training marine mammals is disclosed as having an inflatable bladder which, when inflated, increases the hydrodynamic drag and buoyancy of the marine mammal. The device is characterized by having an inactive position having low hydrodynamic drag and negative buoyancy and an activated position which has a relatively high hydrodynamic drag and positive buoyancy. A source of gas under pressure, for example a gas cartridge, is connected so as to inflate the bladder means upon a pr...

The invention discloses a system, device, and method for covert, wireless communication between a human handler and a trained animal. A small receiving unit is placed in a cured material which has conformed to the contours of a trained animal's inner ear thereby eliminating the need for an invasive method for implanting anything into the animals ear. The receiving unit has no external communication features such as wires or external antennae and thus it is covert. The transmitting unit may be ha...

A humane, pain-free method of animal training includes interrupting the animal's vision to deliver a training stimulus. A lens having an electro-optic shutter is placed within the animal's field of vision. The shutter is open and does not obstruct or interrupt the animal's vision while the animal exhibits desirable behavior. The shutter is closed and interrupts the animal's vision to deliver a training stimulus as needed. The closed shutter is re-opened to remove the training stimulus and contin...

A method for improving feeding habits, mortality rates, and overall behavior in precocial birds as they are raised combines the effects of filial imprinting, environmental enrichment, and music. One or more filial imprinting objects are disposed in a pen in which the birds, such as young heavy strain chicks, are raised. A sound system is includes with the objects to provide soothing music, such as classical music, intermittently. To further improve the living environment, a source of heat, such ...

Methods for raising commercial farm animals including birds, fish and mammals, are disclosed which improve the animals' behavioral characteristics, feeding habits and mortality rates. In one embodiment of the invention, precocial birds are exposed to the combined effects of filial imprinting, environmental enrichment and music as they are raised. In another embodiment, various types of commercial farm animals are exposed to toys.

There exists a wide variety of strains of fungi and bacteria that can cause allergic and sometimes fatal reactions to humans who are exposed to these strains. Many of these contaminant strains exist and grow in buildings, structures and transportation sources used by people in everyday routine situations. A device simulating one or more of the noxious contaminants is used to train dogs to detect these contaminants in varying situations. A non-intrusive method for training one or more dogs to det...

A method for training an animal capable of learning to associate a consistent positive audio tone with pleasant feelings. The method includes a consistent positive audio tone capable of being sensed by the animal without startling the animal, and a consistent negative audio tone distinct from the positive audio tone capable of being sensed by the animal and startling the animal. The invention enables a trainer to encourage good behavior by the animal by applying the positive audio tone after the...

An innovative communication device and learning tool that enables marine mammals, such as dolphins, to communicate with humans and with each other. The communication device includes a keyboard having a plurality of hollow keys. Each key includes a switch which can be activated by the dolphin, and a two- or three-dimensional object which can be distinguished by dolphins from other objects in other keys both visually and through echolocation. A microprocessor based controller can be used to associ...

An improved animal litter preparation is provided for attracting a household domesticated animal and for absorbing liquids and liquid-containing waste released by the attracted animal. The litter preparation comprises a plurality of preformed and nontoxic liquid absorbing masses of solid matter each comprised of an absorbent substance, at least one releaser pheromone compound which is a biological attractant for the animal, and at least one blending agent.

A sheet of flexible transparent material that is coated on both sides with non-permanent adhesives. The coating on one side is designed to adhere to typical coverings, such as tile and carpet, and yet be easily removable at will. The coating on the other side is preferably stronger, designed to stick to the paws of an animal stepping over it and require a forceful and unpleasant effort for the animal to free itself from its grip. After repeated encounters with the device, the animal is trained t...