Training 101

Selective reinforcement

successive approximations- small steps that move in the direction of desired behavior

shaping

discriminative stimulus (Sd)- cue/signal

bridge

target(pole)

Things to consider before training an animal:

  • history of the animal and training environment

  • natural history

  • individual history (age, health, aggression, and motivations)

  • how many and where exits are

  • dangers that may harm the animal

  • aware of distractions

Steps to train an animal

  • game plan first

    • why training behavior

    • is there a time frame to be done?

    • resources/tools 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 you can while keeping things concise

  • execute your plan

    • evaluate session

    • bridge timing is important

    • try to end on a success

  • consistency

    • rules should be fair and predictable

  • shaping techniques

    • targeting

    • different variations

      • simple: touch target anywhere near animals head

      • complex: touch target wherever

      • follow

      • duration: touch until bridged

      • variety: target on various objects (hand, pole, palm etc)

      • whole body: touch body to a variety of targets

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

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

      • it is a means to form behavior

      • focuses the animals attention

  • modeling

    • shows the 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 pups

  • scanning or capturing

    • pros = quickly trained

    • cons = no approximations to fall back on

10 laws of shaping behavior

  1. trainer be prepared before starting. be ready to bridge immediately

  2. raise criteria in small increments for realistic chance of reinforcement

  3. train one aspect of any behavior at a time

  4. when introducing new criteria, temporarily relax old ones

  5. stay ahead, stay ready just in case subject progresses quickly

  6. keep training sessions continuous

  7. if one procedure isn’t showing progress find another

  8. keep focus. interruption = loss of momentum

  9. if behavior deteriorates, go back to the beginning

  10. end each session on a high note