Method for acclimating a dog to autonomous training sessions with a training apparatus

Abstract

One variation of a method for acclimating a dog to autonomous training with a training apparatus, includes: accessing a video feed of a working field; dispensing a first set of treats into the working field at a first frequency and outputting an audible reinforcer at a first volume level; estimating a first acclimation score representative of acclimation to dispensation of the first set of treats; in response to the first acclimation score exceeding a threshold acclimation, dispensing a second set of treats at a second frequency less than the first frequency and outputting the audible reinforcer at a second volume greater than the first volume; estimating a second acclimation score responsive to the second set of treats; in response to the second acclimation score exceeding the threshold acclimation, the second frequency falling below a threshold frequency, and the second volume exceeding a threshold volume, verifying acclimation of the dog.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for acclimating an animal to autonomous training sessions with a training apparatus, comprising:
 during a first priming session:
 accessing a video feed of a working field adjacent the training apparatus via an optical sensor integrated into the training apparatus; and 
 detecting the animal in the video feed; 
   during a first period of the first priming session, initiating a first priming protocol, in a set of priming protocols, comprising:
 dispensing a first set of primary reinforcers into the working field at frequencies within a first range of frequencies via a dispenser integrated into the training apparatus; and 
 characterizing a first acclimation level of the animal during dispensation of the first set of primary reinforcers based on behaviors of the animal detected in the video feed during the first period; 
   during a second period of the first priming session, in response to the first acclimation level exceeding a threshold acclimation:
 dispensing a second set of primary reinforcers into the working field at frequencies within a second range of frequencies less than frequencies within the first range of frequencies; and 
 characterizing a second acclimation level of the animal during dispensation of the second set of primary reinforcers based on behaviors of the animal detected in the video feed during the second period; and 
   in response to the second acclimation level of the animal exceeding the threshold acclimation and frequencies within the second range of frequencies falling below a threshold frequency, verifying completion of the first priming protocol.   
     
     
         2 . A method for acclimating an animal to autonomous training sessions with a training apparatus, comprising:
 during a priming session:
 accessing a video feed of a working field adjacent the training apparatus via an optical sensor integrated into the training apparatus; and 
 detecting the animal in the video feed; 
   during a first period of the priming session:
 dispensing a first set of primary reinforcers into the working field at a first frequency via a dispenser integrated into the training apparatus; and 
 characterizing acclimation of the animal during dispensation of the first set of primary reinforcers based on behaviors of the animal detected in the video feed during the first period of the priming session; 
   during a second period of the priming session and in response to the animal exhibiting more than a threshold acclimation during dispensation of the first set of primary reinforcers:
 dispensing a second set of primary reinforcers into the working field and outputting an audible conditioned reinforcer at a first volume level approximately concurrent with dispensation of the second set of primary reinforcers; 
 characterizing acclimation of the animal during dispensation of the second set of primary reinforcers and the audible conditioned reinforcer based on behaviors of the animal detected in the video feed during the second period of the priming session; and 
 in response to the animal exhibiting more than the threshold acclimation during dispensation of the second set of primary reinforcers:
 dispensing a third set of primary reinforcers into the working field at a second frequency less than the first frequency and outputting the audible conditioned reinforcer at a second volume level approximately concurrent with dispensation of the third set of primary reinforcers; and 
 characterizing acclimation of the animal during dispensation of the third set of primary reinforcers and the audible conditioned reinforcer based on behaviors of the animal detected in the video feed during the second period; and 
 
   in response to the animal exhibiting more than the threshold acclimation during dispensation of the third set of primary reinforcers, verifying acclimation of the animal to the training apparatus.