[MaddiesMommie]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

I don't know if people realize the groundbreaking work that was done at Sea World in the 70s with animal training, and how it essentially forms the basis for all modern animal training today (of course, they were building on Skinner). Positive training *comes* from training marine mammals, because you can't use negative training on an animal that can just swim away from you. Those shows aren't just for human amusement - we've learned an incredible amount about how animals learn (and of course, since we are animals, how WE learn) from these kinds of progams. If anyone has ever recommended you clicker train your dog, they have Sea World to thank for pioneering this method.

I'm not a fan of circuses since I believe there the care of the animals is an afterthought. I also believe a lot of zoos used to be like this, but I think most zoos have come a long way in the past twenty years.

Just wanted to put this out there to think about too.
Source:WSPA
Captive dolphin programs often train dolphins to perform tricks that people equate with human responses and emotions. Movement of the pectoral flippers is taken to mean that the dolphins are waving a greeting. Vocalizing seems to indicate that the animals are “speaking” to the crowd. Or, the dolphins swim directly up to tourists entering the water, apparently signaling their enthusiasm to interact. In reality, these are highly unnatural behaviors that hold no meaning for the animal and offer no insight into their state of mind.
Dolphins are trained to perform these tricks through ‘operant conditioning'. For many animals this means that satisfaction of hunger is dependent on performing tricks; for others, hunger is deliberately induced so the trainer will be effective. Though a complete food portion is ultimately provided each day, the use of food as a training tool reduces some animals to little more than beggars. This is particularly obvious when a trainer enters the holding area, carrying a bucket of fish. The dolphin's eyes will remain fixed on the bucket, not on the trainer. It is easy to overlook this detail, as most audiences are watching and listening to the trainer. But in observing the dolphin's body language, it is apparent that food is the motivator, not affection for the trainer, playfulness or an affinity for the crowd.

Dolphins in captivity are not given the option to end interactions or performances when they would like to. They are trained to perform through ‘operant conditioning'. For many animals this means that satisfaction of hunger is dependent on performing tricks; for others, hunger is deliberately induced so the trainer will be effective. Though a complete food portion is ultimately provided each day, the use of food as a training tool reduces some animals to little more than beggars who perform in exchange for food.
Sometimes dolphins express their frustration through aggression either to people, other dolphins, or by self mutilation. People would not dream of putting their children or themselves in a cage with wolves, lions, or tigers. This natural caution is lost around dolphins. Dolphins (including those born in captivity) are large, powerful predators, perfectly capable of harming humans. Examples of dolphin aggression include pushing people into deeper water, biting, and head-jerking. Injury reports document broken bones, skin abrasions and other injuries.
The public is taken in by the dolphin's ‘smile' and assumes they are gentle, willing playmates. But make no mistake – these are wild animals and the smile is simply an anatomical quirk; it is not a reflection of the dolphin's emotional state.