Training naturally fear-oriented prey animals
Hello, I am new to animal training and my goal with this question specifically is to reduce fear response in parent-raised white tailed deer at my zoo. Forgive me if I sound ignorant in how I word this as I am VERY new and looking for pointers and strategies in gaining the animal’s trust while working with them through a training regimen that will ultimately involve them approaching me with confidence for food (to then work on self-weighing, vet exams, etc.) rather than having to place their food down and leave (or else they will not eat in my presence). My boss has entrusted me in this, but I need help as my only experience is with animals that are domesticated so I feel there is not a roadblock in that action like I am experiencing now with ‘prey animals’. What have you done for similar species that has proven successful in building a connection?