Behv Chains Flashcards
What is a behv chain?
A bunch of B in sequence
What is a stimulus chain??
A dog learning different routes/routines via a series of stimuli
Do we always see the result of learning a stimulus chain?
No!
Does the dog have the ability to change a stimulus chain?
No! They just learn stuff happens in a certain order.
What does Friedman say about the steam of ABC’s
Pluck out the B and look either side of it
What defines a Behv chain?
Each B acts as an A for the B that comes after it!
Is behv just something animals do?
No! Animals also noticed what they have done which can act as a stimuli of A in the same way an external A does.
Why is flyball racing a chain?
The course is always the same - Static Sequence - 4 jumps trigger the mechanism, get the tennis ball and retrieve back over the jumps
Why is agility not a behv chain
Because there is different equipment in a different order! The handler has to direct the dog
What is a Behv chain?
A lot of behaviours in a row!
What principal is in action in behv chains?
Premacks principal
The highest probability B - Reinforcer collection, is performed last.
What principle is in action in behv chains?
Premacks principal
The highest probability B - Reinforcer collection, is performed last. We can use this by controlling its access asking for a less preferred behv first.
E.g., eat your broccoli then you can have ice cream
Are behaviour chains cheap or expensive?
Expensive! Because we are asking for lots of behv for a C
What sort of chains are there?
Back chaining
Modular
Front chaining
What is back chaining
Teaching the B units in reverse.
What is back chaining advantages?
Best for speed endeavours
The final B is performed the most!
What is modular training
Train each piece and then assemble into a chain. The more difficult bits have more practice than others
What is a good example of modular training?
Music
What is front chaining
Starting at the begining then add each b unit
What are examples of front chaining?
Martial arts & dance
What are 2 parameters in weave poles
Precision
Speed
What do we need to be aware of when teaching weaving?
We need to teach speed from the beginning so we aren’t reinforcing slowness!
How are weaves now taught?
1) gun through (poles down)
2) slowly add angled poles as prompts to start weacing
What about weak links in Beh chains?
Pull out and rehearse solo with R+ until fluent then re insert
What do we need to be careful about with weak links?
Do not overrain
May set up confusion when it is reinserted in a chain. You may get anticipation of R+ mid chain and hesitation
You could also get extinction effect and dog going on strike after not getting R+ for that B
What is another problem when training chains in regards to R+
Potent R+ comes mid chain such as in fly ball
What sort of dogs do flyball
Ball crazy dogs!! Getting their potent R+ in the middle of the chain can cause a beautiful performance on the first half and lack lustre on the way back
How can we solve the potent reinforcer mid chain issue in fly ball?
1) have a big motivator at return end (second flyball box!?)
2) Drill return speed with limited hold (emphasize second half of chain)
What is the problem with adding a second motivator - second fly ball box, to solve the flyball problem?
Dropping the tennis ball in anticipation of the second tennis ball!
Illegal to have at tournaments
How can you fix the problem of tennis ball dropping in flyball
P-
How do we drill return speed?
Spend significant time practicing the second half of the chain before introducing the first half! This is a situation where over training can work for you.
How do we drill return speed?
Spend significant time practising the second half of the chain before introducing the first half! This is a situation where over-training can work for you.
What is chain decay?
Dog falling apart at different parts of the chain
What is going on with Chain Decay? Why do they degrade?? 2 reasons
1) Why problem - chain to expensive in relation to final R+
2) What problem - links are insufficiently strong sd for the subsequent behv. (front chaining effect) dog not sure what he’s supposed to do
What is an example of chain decay?
2
Jump skipping in flyball - going around the hurdle
Missing the ball when it comes out of the machine. The ball then heads sideways making the dog find the best route direct rather than back over the jumps
What is the solution fo chain decay if he misses the ball (off center retrieve)
P- = you don’t get the R+ IF you skip jumps
You DO get R+ if you come back over the jumps
Practice as an exercise
What is another variation on decay?
Merging
What is merging?
Back chaining behv issue often where there is a speed element - the dog might skip behvs and cut to the chase
Doing 2 things at once - abducting links
How do you fix cutting to the chase in behv chains?
P- if he doesn’t do them all!
What are some adduction examples?
Down then roll over becomes a quasi spin
Sit then sit pretty becomes a hind leg walk
Dog taught independently how to speak and go to his mat, barks on his mat now
How can we fit these adduction issues
Preload the initial behv.
