# The Constructional Approach to Zoo Animal Training: Enhancing Welfare Through Emerging Evidence-Based Behavioral Science

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new animal training method for zoos that focuses on building positive behaviors to improve animal welfare and strengthen human-animal relationships.

## Contribution

The constructional approach is presented as a novel, evidence-based framework for zoo animal training that emphasizes building desirable behaviors and emotional welfare.

## Key findings

- Constructional training emphasizes building desirable behaviors and genuine animal choice rather than focusing on eliminating problematic behaviors.
- Compared to traditional hierarchical models, constructional programs offer more effective and ethical outcomes for animal welfare in zoo settings.
- Case examples demonstrate successful implementation of constructional training in zoos, supporting welfare, conservation, and educational goals.

## Abstract

Animal welfare has become a cornerstone of modern zoo and aquarium animal care practices. This article introduces the constructional approach to animal training as a practical, emerging evidence-based method that can improve zoo animal welfare. Unlike traditional training approaches that focus on eliminating problem behaviors, the constructional approach emphasizes building desirable behaviors, providing animals with genuine choices, and understanding their emotional welfare through analyzing contingencies. This review explains the core principles of the constructional approach, highlights its advantages over hierarchical models of behavior change, and provides practical examples of successful implementation in zoo settings. By implementing constructional programs, zoos can achieve their welfare goals more effectively while fostering compassionate relationships between animals and caregivers. The constructional approach represents an advancement in animal training, providing a framework that integrates scientific rigor with ethical care practices to benefit both animals and the professional communities that care for them.

Animal welfare has become a cornerstone of modern zoo and aquarium animal care practices. This paper introduces the constructional approach to animal training as an evidence-based framework that can enhance the welfare of zoo animals. Developed through decades of behavioral science research and practical applications, the constructional approach emphasizes building desirable behaviors rather than eliminating problematic ones, avoiding reduction-based techniques, utilizing comprehensive contingency analysis, incorporating genuine choice, and addressing emotional welfare through contingency management. This review systematically examines the foundational principles of the constructional approach, distinguishes it from traditional animal training methodologies, presents case examples of successful implementation in zoo settings, and provides practical recommendations for zoo professionals. Methods included a narrative review of peer-reviewed literature, unpublished academic works, and documented applications in zoological settings. The results demonstrate that constructional programs offer notable advantages over commonly promoted hierarchical models of behavior change procedures, which often prescribe sequential application of techniques without adequate consideration of behavioral function. By adopting constructional programs, zoos can more effectively meet their overriding goals of providing optimal welfare, supporting conservation efforts, facilitating research, and enhancing educational experiences—all while prioritizing compassionate care that respects the agency and well-being of animals.