Training apparatus and method for feeding animals during training sessions for reinforcement of behaviors

Abstract

One variation of a method for selectively serving primary reinforcers to an animal includes: accessing a set of characteristics of an animal and estimating a target caloric intake of the animal based on the set of characteristics; identifying a type of primary reinforcer loaded into a training apparatus configured to dispense units of the primary reinforcer based on behaviors performed by the animal responsive to commands output by the training apparatus; in response to identifying the type of primary reinforcer as a first primary reinforcer, loading a first nutrient profile for the first primary reinforcer; and, in response to the first nutrient profile specifying a first caloric density of units of the first primary reinforcer, loading a first training protocol for a first training session for the animal onto the training apparatus based on the target caloric intake of the animal.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 accessing a target caloric intake for an animal;   identifying a type of primary reinforcer loaded into a training apparatus configured to dispense units of a primary reinforcer based on behaviors of the animal responsive to training cues output by the training apparatus;   in response to identifying the type of primary reinforcer as a first primary reinforcer, accessing a first nutrient profile corresponding to the first primary reinforcer;   in response to the first nutrient profile specifying a first caloric density of units of the first primary reinforcer, selecting a first training protocol for executing during a first training session between the training apparatus and the animal based on the target caloric intake and the first caloric density; and   loading a ballistics model for dispensing units of the first primary reinforcer from the training apparatus during the first training session.   
     
     
         2 . A method comprising:
 during an initial time period:
 accessing a target caloric intake of an animal; 
 accessing a type of primary reinforcer loaded into a training apparatus configured to dispense units of a primary reinforcer based on behaviors performed by the animal responsive to training cues output by the training apparatus; and 
 in response to identifying the type of primary reinforcer loaded into the training apparatus as a first primary reinforcer, loading a first nutrient profile corresponding to the first primary reinforcer and specifying a first caloric density of units of the first primary reinforcer; 
   during a first training session between the training apparatus and the animal, the first training session succeeding the initial time period:
 selectively dispensing units of the first primary reinforcer into a working field, proximal the training apparatus, according to a ballistics model and based on behaviors of the animal responsive to training cues output by the training apparatus; and 
 tracking a caloric intake of the animal based on the first caloric density and an amount of units of the first primary reinforcer dispensed by the training apparatus during the first training session; and 
   during a second time period succeeding the first training session:
 calculating a remaining caloric intake for the animal based on a difference between the target caloric intake and the caloric intake of the animal during the first training session; 
 generating a notification comprising a prompt to feed the animal the remaining caloric intake; and 
 transmitting the notification to a user associated with the animal. 
   
     
     
         3 . A method comprising:
 during an initial time period:
 accessing a target caloric intake of an animal; 
 accessing a type of primary reinforcer loaded into a training apparatus configured to dispense units of a primary reinforcer based on behaviors performed by the animal responsive to training cues output by the training apparatus; and 
 in response to identifying the type of primary reinforcer loaded into the training apparatus as a first primary reinforcer:
 loading a first nutrient profile corresponding to the first primary reinforcer and specifying a first caloric density of units of the first primary reinforcer; and 
 loading a first ballistics model corresponding to the first primary reinforcer for dispensing units of the first primary reinforcer from the training apparatus; 
 
   during a first training session between the training apparatus and the animal, the first training session succeeding the initial time period:
 selectively dispensing units of the first primary reinforcer according to the ballistics model and based on behaviors of the animal responsive to training cues output by the training apparatus; and 
 tracking a caloric intake of the animal based on the first caloric density; and 
   during a second time period succeeding the first training session:
 calculating a remaining caloric intake for the animal based on a difference between the target caloric intake and the caloric intake of the animal during the first training session; 
 generating a notification comprising a prompt to feed the animal the remaining caloric intake; and 
 transmitting the notification to a user associated with the animal.