Method for acclimating a dog to autonomous training sessions with a training apparatus

method of claim 10:

• wherein dispensing the third set of primary reinforcers at frequencies within the third range of frequencies comprises dispensing the third set of primary reinforcers at frequencies within the third range of frequencies approximately equal to the first range of frequencies;
• wherein outputting the audible reinforcer at the third volume comprises outputting the audible reinforcer at the third volume approximately equal the first volume;
• wherein dispensing the fourth set of primary reinforcers at frequencies within the fourth range of frequencies comprises dispensing the fourth set of primary reinforcers at frequencies within the fourth range of frequencies approximately equal the second range of frequencies;
• and
• wherein outputting the audible reinforcer at the fourth volume comprises outputting the audible reinforcer at the fourth volume approximately equal the second volume.

A method for acclimating a dog to autonomous training sessions with a training apparatus, comprising:

• during a priming session:
• accessing a video feed of a working field adjacent the training apparatus via an optical sensor integrated into the training apparatus;
• and
• detecting the dog in the video feed;
• during a first period of the priming session:
• dispensing a first set of primary reinforcers into the working field at a first frequency via a dispenser integrated into the training apparatus;
• and
• characterizing acclimation of the dog during dispensation of the first set of primary reinforcers based on behaviors of the dog detected in the video feed during the first period of the priming session;
• during a second period of the priming session and in response to the dog exhibiting more than a threshold acclimation during dispensation of the first set of primary reinforcers:
• dispensing a second set of primary reinforcers into the working field and outputting an audible conditioned reinforcer at a first volume level approximately concurrent with dispensation of the second set of primary reinforcers;
• characterizing acclimation of the dog during dispensation of the second set of primary reinforcers and the audible conditioned reinforcer based on behaviors of the dog detected in the video feed during the second period of the priming session;
• and
• in response to the dog exhibiting more than the threshold acclimation during dispensation of the second set of primary reinforcers:
• dispensing a third set of primary reinforcers into the working field at a second frequency less than the first frequency and outputting the audible conditioned reinforcer at a second volume level approximately concurrent with dispensation of the third set of primary reinforcers;
• and
• characterizing acclimation of the dog during dispensation of the third set of primary reinforcers and the audible conditioned reinforcer based on behaviors of the dog detected in the video feed during the second period;
• and
• in response to the dog exhibiting more than the threshold acclimation during dispensation of the third set of primary reinforcers, verifying acclimation of the dog to the training apparatus.