Thursday, July 21, 2011

A few quick notes on chaining:

There are many different ways to put multiple behaviors.

It is important that we train each separate part to fluency ("perfection") before we start to put it together. If we have a weak piece, the whole chain may fail.

Let's consider a chain of A-B-C-D-E, that is always done in the same order.  When we put this together, we have a few options to put it together.  Here are the ones I can come up with:
  • Work on adding in the consecutive order. As you work through the chain, you start with the most reinforced, strongest point and move towards what your dog knows less well.  A-Reinforce, repeat many times. A-B-Reinforce, repeat many times. A-B-C-Reinforce, repeat many times. A-B-C-D-Reinforce, repeat many times. A-B-C-D-E-Reinforce, repeat many times.
  • Adding parts, starting at the end.  Backchaining. As your dog goes through the chain, he is working to his strongest pieces, the ones that have been reinforced the most.  E. Reinforce. Repeat many times.  D-E-Reinforce, repeat many times.  C-D-E-Reinforce, repeat many times. B-C-D-E-Reinforce, repeat many times. B-C-D-E-Reinforce, repeat many times. A-B-C-D-E-Reinforce, repeat many times.
  • Vary the pieces. Initially random, smaller segments, then extend the size of the pieces.  C-D-Reinforce. A-B-Reinforce.  C-D-E-Reinforce.  B-C-D-Reinforce. A-B-Reinforce. D-E-Reinforce.   
  • Get each piece perfectly and then theoretically it will all go together brilliantly.  
These are not straightforward. You can be using multiple options.

This is somewhat being put together for an advanced-class-lesson-piece.   I want to share computer. Unfortunately my computer is full. My external hard drive is full. I suppose that means I should use video that I already have?

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