When we look a
structure, we tend to admire it as a finished piece of architecture. The
grand size and scale often grabs our attention and wows us. However, underneath
the facade lots of components have been involved in many aspects of no longer
visible, structural foundations. These foundations are required to ensure the
building is upstanding, can withhold elements and remain over time.
During sporting events
we are often in awe of the achievements that can be made, by athletes just
physically using their body. We do not see the effort involved to get to
this point. Aspects of which require rigorous planning, excellent nutrition,
physical training and mental preparation over a duration.
In summary foundation
behaviours are the ESSENTIAL components required to successfully achieve more
complex ones.
How does this apply to Animal Training?
Dog foundation training forms a part of all the interactions we have with our animals.
For example, whilst out with my dogs, I cue them to recall to me. After their
successful return, I think about and evaluate the work and foundation
behaviours required, to achieve this now seemingly natural behaviour.
In order to accomplish a reliable recall behaviour, we first need to break the
final desired behaviour into its essential components:
- Attention
– physical recognition of a cue in the form of ear movement and visual
orientation towards source. - Forward locomotion
– animal to move towards a presented target. - Targeting
– animal to make physical contact with desired target. - Obtainment of reinforcement
Once the parts of the
final desired outcome have been identified, each section will need to be taught
and practised independently. Once the individual behaviours are fluent, then
they can start to be chained together to eventually form the full behaviour
repertoire. Think of a jigsaw puzzle – in order to see the picture
clearly, each piece of the puzzle needs to put together correctly.
Simple?! Dog foundation training
Now, this is where
learning about and teaching foundation behaviours becomes extremely
interesting! Take a moment to process: in order to achieve reliable
fluent desired goal behaviours, we need to break each of the behaviours down (as
much possible), into fundamental basic elements.
These fundamentals
require behaviours in teaching and learning to be acquired, to
productively train. Contemplate what is required to educate
effectively. Trainers require the mechanics of marking, reinforcement
delivery and cueing. They also (in my opinion) should be educated in the
correct observation of their learner and the teaching process, to ensure
welfare. Effective teaching requires preparation, organisation and
regular review. Record keeping of dog training sessions enables tracking
of progress and accurate evaluation of performance.
Behaviours take time to
become learnt habits, so more practise is required to increase reliability (Birch & Bailey, 1999).
Foundation training online
The learner will be
required to understand how to learn. This involves knowledge of how to
successfully obtain reinforcement, process information from the environment and
respond to cues. Also, I advise that we teach our learner they do have options
of choice and control within a training (and everyday life) situation. Both
parties ought to develop calm and clear communication, through positively
reinforced interactions.
Animal training. Conclusion
All the factors
discussed here and so many more, are part of dog Foundation Training.
Behind polished, fluent behaviours are solid, reliable, practised and clearly
understood foundations. To facilitate behaviours to be demonstrated in a
confident, effortless manner, all the groundworks need to be established and the
foundation behaviours determined. If this is not happening, then it’s
time to observe, evaluate, educate. Work on ensuring your foundations with your
learner are solidly in place to provide longevity of a successful training
relationship. For more information and detailed feedback from the
instructor, check out online course at Tromplo!
Enjoy the journey down
the rabbit hole, which opens up when you start to truly explore the intricacies
of foundation behaviours!