Training 101

selective reinforcement

successive approximations

small steps that move in the direction of the desired behavior

shaping

discriminative stimulus (Sd)

cue/signal

bridge

target (pole)

Consider before training

• history of the animal

• training enviornment

• natural history

• how many exits/where are they

• dangers that may harm the animal

• aware of distractions

training game plan

• why are you training the behavior

• is there a time frame to be done?

• what resources and tools are needed

• does anything need to be desensitized

• does the animal know something similar

behavior pyramid

step-by-step plan on how to train behavior and what the end criteria is

• assumptions and approximations noted

• go into as much detail as possible while keeping concise

execute training plan

• evaluate sessions

• bridge timing is important

• try to end on a success

• consistency (rules should be fair and predictable)

simple target

touch target anywhere near animals head

complex target

touch target wherever

follow target

duration target

touch until bridged

variety target

target on various objects (hand, pole, palm, etc)

whole body target

touch body to a variety of targets

multiple target

maintain contact to one target while trying to touch another with a different body part

targets

tell animal point and space it needs to reach in order to perform the behavior correctly

• means to form behavior

• focuses animals attention

modeling

shows animal how to do a behavior

• also called molding (touched animal to move to position)

• start in voluntary/relaxed position and reinforce

mimicry/imitation

teaching an animal to copy the behavior of another animal

• usually for birds and sea lion pups

scanning/capturing

pros = quickly trained

cons = no approximations to fall back on

shaping techniques

targeting, modeling, imitation, scanning

10 laws of shaping behavior

1. trainer prepared before starting. ready to bridge immediately

2. raise criteria in small realistic increments

3. train one aspect of any behavior at a time

4. when introducing new criteria, temporarily relax old ones

5. stay ahead and ready for rapid progression

6. keep sessions continous

7. if one procedure isnt showing progress try another

8. keep focus

9. if behavior deteriorates, go back to beginning

10. end each session on a high note