D OG T RAINING Canine Behaviour & Training

W HAT IS D OG T RAINING ? Promoting Learning In reality this is associating of cue words or other signals with a behavioural response so to gain obedience from domestic dogs.

H OW TO T RAIN D OGS ? Various methods But most effective is positive reinforcement (proven to open neurological channels for learning) Work with dogs natural instinctive and biological abilities (understand and know the specie) Work with dogs natural motivations (understand and known the breed) Work with dogs own experience, development and limits (understand and know the individual)

D OG ’ S N ATURAL & I NSTINCTIVE ABILITIES

D OG ’ S N ATURAL M OTIVATIONS What senses will be most distracted? And stimulated in training? What will act as the greatest reward? What is the capacity for duration of learning?

D OG ’ S E XPERIENCE, D EVELOPMENT & L IMITS Is the dog ‘prepared’ for learning? Has it learning history and experience? How might its previous development and experiences affect learning and training? How might I affect the dogs training? How does the dog normally exhibit stress?

W HY T RAIN D OGS ? To be able to integrate them into society To mentally and physically stimulate To use in leisure To use in service To use in assistance To use in therapy

R EQUIREMENTS OF A D OG T RAINER Patience- If you get frustrated dog will pick up on it! Consistency- Be fair to the dog, let him know what to expect. Positive Attitude- if you enjoy it the dog will too! Methodical- Know process Observant look for signs of stress in the dog

A LL D OG OWNERS ARE D OG T RAINERS !

G ENERAL T RAINING M ETHOD -1 F OR E XAMPLE T RAINING THE CUE ‘ SIT ’ ( WHY TEACH SIT ?) Select environment carefully Allow dog to relax within the environment (aim to return to point of stability-reduced arousal)

G ENERAL T RAINING M ETHOD -2 Test Dogs Motivations

G ENERAL T RAINING M ETHOD 3- Use selected motivator to lure the dog

G ENERAL T RAINING M ETHOD -4 Mark the correct behaviour (or a step towards it) with a secondary reinforcer and reward with the motivator (now a primary reinforcer). What is the timing for delivery of reinforcers?

G ENERAL T RAINING METHOD -5 Repeat the lure.

G ENERAL T RAINING M ETHOD -6 Phase off the lure and initiate a consistent hand signal Produce a training pattern working with various reinforcers and progressing away from lure.

T RAINING M ETHOD - 7 Switch from continuous rate of reinforcement to intermittent at suitable frequency. Allow for hand signal to evolve.

T RAINING M ETHOD - 8 If dog is working close to 100% in accuracy and behaviour has been shaped (as necessary). Link verbal cue to hand (visual) signal.

T RAINING M ETHOD -9 Repeat and reward at intermittent rate based upon training pattern.

T RAINING M ETHOD -10 Add a release cue Introduce the 3D’s. Test the cue

T IPS Watch for salience, introduce one cue type at a time. Take regular breaks (produce schedule as well as pattern) Work methodically with gradual progression Use frustration to promote operant conditioning, but monitor Choose cue words carefully Allow for evolving of visual cues, but keep consistent. Watch for inadvertently rewarding Consider range of reinforcements available

T RAINING RECALL Use of General Positive Reinforcement Method (lure-signal) Other methods?

W ALKING TO HEEL OR LOOSE LEAD WALKING General Positive Training Method (lure to signal) Stop: Go method (use of negative punishment) Use of positive punishment and negative reinforcement.

T OILET TRAINING Environmental Aids Puppy Training or People Training?

C LICKER T RAINING Use of Classical Conditioning Use of Operant Conditioning Continuous Schedule of Reinforcement Training Initiator Advantages Disadvanatges

S HAPING Free shaping Forward shaping Reverse shaping

C HAINING Chaining and ’back chaining’

E VALUATING T RAINING AND T RAINER P ERFORMANCE