Training Basics: Targeting and Shaping
Today, you'll dive into two foundational training techniques used by marine mammal trainers: targeting and shaping. You'll learn how to use a target to guide behavior and how to break down complex actions into manageable steps using shaping.
Learning Objectives
- Define targeting and its purpose in training.
- Explain the process of shaping a behavior.
- Identify the importance of positive reinforcement in both techniques.
- Apply targeting and shaping techniques to a simple task.
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Lesson Content
Introduction to Targeting
Targeting is a technique where you teach an animal to touch a specific object (the target) with a part of its body, usually its nose or flipper. The target can be anything – a stick, a ball, a hand, etc. The target acts as a guide, helping the animal learn a specific behavior and also providing a clear cue to initiate the behavior.
For example, imagine you want to teach a dolphin to touch a buoy. You would hold the target (like a stick) near the buoy. When the dolphin touches the stick, you immediately reward it with a treat and praise. Over time, the dolphin will learn that touching the stick in that location results in a positive outcome.
Key Concepts:
* Target: The specific object the animal is trained to touch.
* Cue: The action of presenting the target.
* Reinforcement: The positive consequence (e.g., food, praise) that follows the target touch.
Introduction to Shaping
Shaping is a process of rewarding successive approximations of a desired behavior. This means you break down a complex behavior into smaller, more manageable steps. You start by rewarding any small action that resembles the final goal, and gradually increase the criteria for reward as the animal gets better.
For example, let's say you want to teach a sea lion to jump through a hoop. You wouldn't expect it to jump perfectly on the first try. Instead, you would:
1. Reward the animal for looking at the hoop.
2. Reward the animal for approaching the hoop.
3. Reward the animal for touching the hoop.
4. Reward the animal for putting its nose through the hoop.
5. Finally, reward the animal for jumping completely through the hoop.
Each successful step gets rewarded, leading to the complete behavior. Patience and consistency are crucial!
Key Concepts:
* Successive Approximations: Rewarding behaviors that get closer and closer to the desired outcome.
* Criteria: The specific standard the animal must meet to receive a reward at each stage.
* Patience: The key to a successful shaping process!
Using Positive Reinforcement
Both targeting and shaping rely heavily on positive reinforcement. This means rewarding the animal for desired behaviors to increase the likelihood of them repeating those behaviors in the future. The reward should be something the animal enjoys, like food, a favorite toy, or verbal praise. Timing is critical: the reward should be given immediately after the desired behavior. This helps the animal understand exactly what action earned the reward.
Examples of positive reinforcement in marine mammal training include:
* Food rewards: Giving a fish or other treat.
* Social reinforcement: Giving praise and petting.
* Play time: Allowing the animal to play with a favorite toy.
* Environmental enrichment: Offering opportunities to explore their environment.
Avoid punishment, as it can damage your relationship with the animal and make training more difficult.
Deep Dive
Explore advanced insights, examples, and bonus exercises to deepen understanding.
Day 5: Expanding Your Marine Mammal Training Toolkit - Communication & Presentation Skills
Today, you're building upon your understanding of targeting and shaping, two crucial techniques for communicating effectively with marine mammals. We'll explore these methods in greater depth, revealing their nuances and versatility.
Deep Dive: Beyond the Basics
Let's go beyond simply defining targeting and shaping. Consider these additional perspectives:
- Targeting: Precision and Variety: While a target stick is common, targets can be anything – a hand gesture, a specific sound, or even a visual cue. The choice of target depends on the animal's learning history, the environment, and the desired behavior. Experiment with different target types to see how it affects your animal’s response.
- Shaping: The Art of Stepwise Progression: Shaping isn’t just about breaking down a behavior; it’s about strategically building it. Consider the animal's natural inclinations. For example, if training a dolphin to jump, you might start by rewarding a slight lift off the water, then progress to larger jumps, gradually increasing height and distance. The success hinges on your keen observation of the animal's responses and your ability to adapt the criteria.
- The Power of Differential Reinforcement: Shaping relies heavily on differential reinforcement – rewarding desired behaviors and *not* rewarding undesired ones. This subtlety is critical. For instance, in teaching a head nod, you'd reinforce a slight head dip and *ignore* any other head movements initially. This clarifies the exact behavior you want.
- Errorless Learning: Sometimes, shaping can be enhanced with an 'errorless learning' approach. This means structuring the training so the animal is *highly* likely to succeed on each step. This increases their confidence and reduces frustration. For instance, when teaching a dolphin to touch a specific spot on a platform, initially place the target very close to the animal so it can easily touch it. Gradually move it further away.
Bonus Exercises
Practice makes perfect! Try these activities:
- Shaping a Simple Human Behavior: Choose a simple behavior like turning on a light switch. Shaping could include rewarding these steps: looking at the switch, reaching towards the switch, touching the switch, and finally flipping the switch. Write out each step you would use to shape this behavior, and how you would reward each step.
- Targeting Challenge: Find three distinct objects in your environment (a book, a pen, a cup). Using verbal instructions only, devise a plan to teach someone to touch each of these objects, one at a time, in response to your spoken cue (e.g., "Touch the book"). Note the process, and then consider the strategies you used. Was the verbal instruction sufficient? What modifications could you make?
- Visual Cue Shaping: Imagine you are training a dog to sit. Instead of using a leash to guide the dog, use your hand as a visual cue. Start by rewarding any attempt to lower itself, then reward a slight bend of the knees, then the full sit. What steps would you take, using only hand gestures? Write the steps.
Real-World Connections
The principles of targeting and shaping extend far beyond the marine park. Consider these applications:
- Animal Shelters and Veterinary Clinics: Trainers use these techniques to help animals comply with medical procedures (e.g., opening their mouths for a checkup) and reduce stress during examinations.
- Special Education: Therapists use shaping to teach new skills to individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities, breaking complex tasks into manageable steps.
- Child Development: Parents naturally use shaping when teaching their children new skills, from potty training to tying shoes. Targeting also plays a part, for example, when teaching a child to “point to the apple.”
- Business and Training Employers use these techniques to teach employees how to use equipment or processes.
Challenge Yourself
For an added challenge, try this:
Observe an animal interacting in its natural habitat (e.g., a squirrel in a park or your own pet). Identify a behavior you could potentially shape, and sketch out the incremental steps you would use. Consider the environmental limitations and potential challenges.
Further Learning
Continue your exploration with these topics and resources:
- Operant Conditioning: Research the broader principles of operant conditioning, including positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative punishment.
- Clicker Training: Learn about the use of a "clicker" as a secondary reinforcer.
- Books and Articles: Search for books or articles on animal training or behavioral psychology. Try to find sources specializing in Marine Mammals for more niche information.
Interactive Exercises
Targeting Practice with a Friend/Pet
Find a friend, family member, or pet (dog or cat is ideal). Use a pen or a stick as your target. Ask your subject to touch the target with their nose or hand (if your subject is human). Give praise and a small treat (if applicable) every time they touch the target. If you are training a pet, make sure to use high-value treats that your pet loves. Start with short sessions (5-10 minutes) and gradually increase the duration and difficulty.
Shaping a Simple Behavior: Object Retrieval
Choose a simple task, such as having a friend or pet pick up a toy. Start by rewarding any movement towards the toy, then reward getting closer, and then reward touching the toy. Gradually shape the behavior until the toy is picked up completely and brought to you.
Video Observation & Analysis
Watch the suggested videos on 'Marine Mammal Training - Targeting' and 'Shaping Behaviors'. Take notes on the techniques used, the trainers' approach, and the animals' responses. Consider which techniques are most effective and why.
Practical Application
Design a short training program to teach your dog or a friend to open a simple drawer or door using either targeting or shaping. Include a step-by-step breakdown and a reward system.
Key Takeaways
Targeting uses a specific object to guide and focus an animal's actions.
Shaping breaks down complex behaviors into smaller, manageable steps.
Positive reinforcement (rewards) is crucial for both techniques.
Patience and consistency are key to successful training.
Next Steps
Prepare for the next lesson on different types of reinforcement schedules (e.
g.
, continuous vs.
intermittent) and their impact on learning.
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