Even trained tigers are still wild animals. This is the first rule of basic safety when it comes to tiger training. Leadership and communication skills closely follow.
Relaxed vs. Calm
Staying calm and staying relaxed may seem like the same thing, but they are vastly different in dangerous situations. Relaxation implies a sense of ease. Trainers who are relaxed may be unaware of potential danger signs.
Staying calm is an action that helps other beings feel relaxed. Tigers can weigh over 250lbs. If a trainer is anxious about this fact, tigers are able to sense fear. Even if a trainer has anxiety about the proximity of a tiger, it should never be shown outright.
Routines Facilitate Comfort
Knowing what will happen next is bound to reduce anxiety in both tigers and trainers. Keeping a well-maintained schedule can help. Meal times that occur at the same time everyday can help distribute energy in a way that is somewhat predictable.
Playtime and naps should be distributed in tandem with feedings. This delayed succession of events will create form throughout the day to keep tigers calm.
Patience Is Required
Tigers, like humans, learn at different rates. This means while one tiger may be able to play for a longer period of time, another may become fussy. Successful trainers look for signs so they can effectively communicate with the tiger.
Tigers that are trained from a young age are more likely to bond with their trainer. Their unique personality should be readable to those who have been around since close to birth. Some tigers can begin to learn when they are only one month old.
Practice Boundaries
Tigers and humans need well established boundaries. A set routine will help with this step so that a certain amount of order is already in place.
Male tigers are especially territorial. This means they may need to be separated from each other. Animal trainers that respect a tiger’s need for space will also earn respect from the tiger.
Staying Safe
Safety is the number one concern with any type of wild animal training. Although animals may be unpredictable, a close bond will help trainers read the emotions of a tiger. Once a trainer can understand if a tiger is in a bad mood, respecting their space is even more important.