REWARD...BUT DO IT PROPERLY!
Have a cookie. Don't know what you've done to deserve this? Confused? Well, the same can happen with your dog; inappropriate rewarding can result in poor control during training. In order for a reward to be effective , the dog must have some motivational drive towards it. Back by popular demand from the 2006 APDT Conference, Allan Bauman's Reward --But Do It Properly workshop demonstrates the importance of establishing reward control before the training begins.
You know the importance of timing and rewarding the dog for performing an exercise. But have you taken the time to identify the behavior and control the dog is offering at the point of acquiring the reward? What behavior is your dog offering during the presentation and receipt of these rewards? Can you have your dog by-pass a high level treat to take a low level reward? These questions and more will be answered in Allan's workshop. Participating attendees will be using shelter dogs to demonstrate the value of teaching reward control prior to training the actual exercises.
Come see learning theory in action - the challenges, pitfalls and successes. Sign up early! The workshop is limited to 30 participants and 20 observers.
Reward..But Do It Properly! will be presented on Friday, October 17 from 1:30-5:00 PM. Transportation from the host hotel to the Kentucky Humane Society will be provided. Preregistration is required.
