I have a question on timing when rewarding a dog with food. I have always marked the behavior and had the treat ready to give keeping in mind the 1.5 to 3+ seconds rule for the dog to make the connection. I know the mark makes the connection, but I thought the food did too. Ed states to wait a moment before presenting the food. Can Ed or someone please give me the reasoning for the pause. I have no problem with changing, I just am one of those people that needs to understand the "why" part.
Thanks
Brad . Martin Webboard User Reg: 09-14-2005
Posts: 587
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Offline
Dogs are attracted to movement. So, if you mark a behavior at the same time your treat is being given to the dog then how do you know for sure that the dog is making a connection to the specific behavior you just marked it for or the motion of your hand toward its face? (For example.)
Think of it this way (another example): You want eye contact from your dog so you call your dog's name; FIDO.. when the dog looks at you you mark the behavior - pause - and reward. The dog makes the connection that looking in your eyes obtianed him a treat. (In a nutshell )
Or... FIDO.. when dog looks, you mark and present the treat at the same time. Now the gaze shifts from your face to your hand at the same time you are marking the dog's action.. the connection that the dog makes in this case may be flawed because of handler error. The error being poor timing and delivery of a reward because now the dog could learn that the correct response to "FIDO" is "look at the human's hand".
Brad . Martin Webboard User Reg: 09-14-2005
Posts: 587
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Offline
Not really... the food, praise, toy, etc, IS the reinforcement (positive in these cases). The marker gives relavance to a specific action for the dog, thereby helping the dog realize exactly what/which action the reinforcement was given for.
You need to think of food and a marker as two tools separate from each other in your training program, although they do go hand in hand, working together to achieve an objective.
Reinforcement conditions a behavior, a marker tells the dog which behavior it was.
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Timing
#175769 - 01/17/2008 08:51 AM 
Top
Re: Timing
[Re: Bre Willison ]
#175777 - 01/17/2008 09:20 AM 
)
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
.jpg)
