Course Title: Chaining Workshop 210
Instructor: James O'Heare, CABC, CDBC, PABC
Course Description:
In this practical, mechanical skills development course students will apply the principles of behavior, and the techniques of animal training learned in previous courses to address a complex training task involving chaining. A behavior chain is a complex behavior consisting of two or more component behaviors that are performed in sequence cued only at the beginning of the sequence. Total task chaining, forward chaining and backward chaining will be explored as well as how to decide among the options, carry out each technique and achieve the most effective and efficient results, and the difference between chaining (single trainer-delivered cue) and "sequencing" (in-chain cues producing a series of separate chains). Behavior chaining can be a useful skill in training complex series' of behaviors.
The assignment will involve reporting on the training process to demonstrate insights and proper application of principles and techniques. The assignment is not graded based on whether you meet the specific training goal but rather the demonstration of learning new training behaviors in yourself from the experience and on understanding of concepts and terminology in learning and training.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completing this course, the student will be able to:
- Apply principles of learning and training techniques to actual training projects
- Develop and implement a formal training plan
- Define behavior chaining and explain the behavior chaining process
- Contrast and compare total task chaining, forward chaining and backward chaining
- Differentiate between chaining (single trainer delivered cue) and "sequencing" (in-chain cues producing a series of separate chains)
- Transfer stimulus control to a verbal cue
- Generalize performance to new environments
- Track behavior quantitatively
- Effectively deliver reinforcers
- Deliver reinforcers with effective timing
- Establish and maintain a conditioned reinforcer
- Improve flexibility in training
- Communicate about training tasks
Texts:
- Getting Started Clicker Training For Dogs by Karen Pryor (Recommended but not required)
Precluded Courses:
- This workshop is a portion of Animal Training Technology 105. If you take 105, you cannot be awarded credit for this workshop.
Course Evaluation:
This course will be evaluated by short essay assignments that will reflect and demonstrate mastery of the course topics and achievement of the learning objectives. The final grade will be the mean average of the assignment grades.
Enrollment Package Includes:
Enrollment Package Includes:
- Coursework document with assignments and course notes
- Student Handbook
- Access to Classroom, with transcripts from Guest Visits and handouts
- Free membership with AABP and to all issues of its journal JACAB
- Access to your Instructor for one-on-one guidance
Schedule:
The course begins as soon as your enrollment is complete and you receive your enrollment package. Although we allow 1 month for this course, you are free to complete the course sooner if you can, and we do allow extensions if need be.
Prerequisites:
- Principles of Behavior 104
CEUs: Continuing Education Credits Available. See Course Approvals page for credits.
Tuition:
The tuition is identified at the top of this page with the payment button. Tuition is in Canadian funds (Currency Converter). Textbooks not included in tuition. They may be purchased through http://www.dogwise.com, http://www.amazon.com, http://www.abebooks.com or http://www.half.com in most cases. Also check the Student Library. Canadian Residents 5% GST.
Notice:
Courses taken individually do not count toward program certificates or diplomas unless you are enrolled in the program as a whole.