System and method for selecting and executing training protocols for autonomously training an animal

Abstract

One variation of a method for autonomously training an animal includes: loading an autonomous training protocol for the animal onto a training apparatus configured to dispense units of a primary reinforcer responsive to behaviors performed by the animal; during an autonomous training session for the animal, accessing a video feed of a working field near the training apparatus, detecting the animal in the video feed, and executing the first autonomous training protocol; calculating a training score for the autonomous training session based on behaviors performed by the animal during the autonomous training session; selecting a manual training protocol, from a set of manual training protocols, based on the training score; generating a prompt to execute the first manual training protocol with the animal during a first manual training session; and transmitting the prompt to a user associated with the animal.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for training an animal, comprising:
 during an initial period, loading a first autonomous training protocol onto a training apparatus;   during a first autonomous training session for the animal:
 accessing a video feed recorded by an optical sensor integrated into the training apparatus and defining a field of view intersecting a working field; 
 detecting the animal in the video feed; and 
 dispensing units of a primary reinforcer via a dispenser, integrated into the training apparatus, based on behaviors performed by the animal according to the first autonomous training protocol; and 
   during an interim period succeeding the first autonomous training session:
 calculating a first training score for the animal based on behaviors performed by the animal during the first autonomous training session; and 
 in response to the first training score falling below a threshold training score, selecting a first manual training protocol, from a set of manual training protocols, for execution during manual training between a user associated with the animal and the animal, based on the first training score. 
   
     
     
         2 . A method for autonomously training an animal comprising:
 during a first autonomous training session with the animal:
 accessing a video feed recorded by an optical sensor integrated into a training apparatus and defining a field of view intersecting a working field; 
 detecting the animal in the video feed; 
 dispensing units of a primary reinforcer via a dispenser, integrated into the training apparatus, based on behaviors performed by the animal according to the first autonomous training protocol; and 
 tracking an anxiety level of the animal based on behaviors of the animal detected in the video feed; and 
   during an interim period succeeding the first autonomous training session:
 calculating a composite training score for the animal based on the anxiety level and behaviors performed by the animal during the first autonomous training session; and 
 in response to the composite training score exceeding a threshold training score, selecting a first manual training protocol, from a set of manual training protocols, for execution during manual training between a user associated with the animal and the animal, based on the composite training score.