Training Plans & PDS

Question 1

Training Plans

Answer 1

A Standardized Operating Procedure (SOP) for how to train a behavior, including steps and common splits.

Question 2

Backwards Planning (OC)

Answer 2

1. Describe the terminal behavior, which is the final step in raising criteria.
2. Break the terminal behavior into parameters.
3. Use the parameters to build incremental steps.
4. Train the behavior, splitting as needed.

Question 3

Criteria

Answer 3

A complete description of current behavior dog must perform to earn a reinforcer.

Example: dog will Down on hand signal and remain down at 10’ from handler for 5 seconds.

Question 4

Parameter

Answer 4

Various aspects of a behavior—duration, distance, distraction, level of prompting, and stimulus control

These comprise the specific criteria for reinforcement. Generally best to increase difficulty on one at a time, often decreasing another.

Question 5

Criteria

Answer 5

Your contract with the dog. This is exactly what they need to do right now to be paid.

If you aren’t sure, they can’t possibly know what you want. Follow the training plan!

Bad example: Going into the crate.
Good example: Going into the crate from 2 feet away, on a verbal cue followed by a hand prompt (tapping crate)

Question 6

Criteria Setting

Answer 6

Always aim for the sweet spot:
Easy enough to win often (keep RoR high)
Hard enough to progress quickly through the plan (keep pushing as able)

Best check of criteria: optimal Rate of Reinforcement

Question 7

Rate of Reinforcement

Answer 7

The number of reinforcers delivered to the animal per unit time, usually expressed per minute.

12 treats/minute
6 tugs/minute

Estimate by counting rewards for short time on one behavior, and divide by the number of minutes. For food, count out set number, using leftovers to determine the amount used.

Question 8

Optimal Rate of Reinforcement

Answer 8

10/min (every 6 seconds) for novice dogs, even if very keen to train.
In practice, shoot for 8-12 per minute.

Once dog is a seasoned learner, RoR can be adjusted by dog’s driveyness, experience level, tolerance for low RoR, and by behavior (stay, long-duration heeling, etc)

Question 9

How to Increase Rate

Answer 9

Drop to previous step in the plan, or split if needed.

Fast Inter-Trial Latency (ITL)

Pay other behaviors than target behavior. Example: If following Down from Sit training plan, also pay for the Sit that sets up the next trial.

Shopping—stick at current criteria until dog is already performing at the next criteria step. (simplified explanation)

Question 10

Fast Inter-Trial Latency (ITL)

Answer 10

Train faster—next trial as soon as reinforcer or no-reward marker has been delivered. Dog is working continuously. Trainer mechanics are smooth—drill as needed.

Question 11

Alternative PDS systems

Answer 11

Push: 7+/10
Stick: 5-6/10
Drop: 4-/10

Push: 5/5
Stick: 2-4/5
Drop: 1-/5

Critical: stick to your system.

Question 12

Relationship between Criteria and RoR

Answer 12

Inverse.

Criteria raised—rate usually goes down
Criteria lowered—rate usually goes up

Question 13

Discretionary Sticks

Answer 13

Trainer second guesses the indicated push, and overrides their PDS system to stick.

All trainers do sometimes, but if often, your PDS system and comfort zone are mismatched. Adjust, with new PDS system reasonable and systematic.

Question 14

Split indication

Answer 14

Push, drop, push, drop, split.

Step 1—push twice
Step 2—two drops
Split—step 1.5 to split the difference