Category: Advanced Stuff ¤
  Author: Deb Jones ¤
   Title: Do Jackpots Mean Out of Control? ¤

<< The problem I see with the "jackpot" is when to use it.
 Used "properly" it is great but that's the problem. In my experience a
 "jackpot" - not simply a little bigger bit of treat  but something really
 special leads to loss of control. The dog simply gets on a high and its
 difficult to get him back concentrating on the tasks at hand. 

One of the most dearly held and deeply ingrained ideas traditional dog
trainers have is that we must CONTROL our dog's behavior at all times.
 Granted, some level of control is necessary.  I don't want my dog to get hit
by a car (so I need a reliable recall) or to attack another dog.  However,
sometimes our ideas about exactly how much control we have, or even really
need. seems to me to be exaggerated.  

Training using OC is about letting the dog make choices.  If I had a dollar
for every time someone has said "don't let the dog think he has a choice".
 Well, my personal belief is that dogs always have behavioral choices.
 Instead of complying with my 'heel' cue, my dog might choose to scratch
himself instead.  Instead of complying with my 'down' cue my dog might choose
to sit instead.  The dog is making choices.  Are these choices I can't live
with?  No.  So how can I get the dog to make the choices I want?  By using CT
training to set up situations so that my dog is highly likely to perform the
desired behavior.  And once that behavior has been repeatedly reinforced it
becomes habitual once the stimulus (cue) is given.

Now, to tie these ideas in with using jackpots.  Here's an example of how I
would use one.  BTW, I think jackpots are fabulous for motivation and
attention.  I ask Sully to 'heel'.  He's heeling really nicely, or longer
than usual, or past a difficult distraction.  I want to 'mark' that moment to
let him know how wonderful that behavior is.  I click and give my jackpot.
 It might be the entire ration of treats (eaten right from the bag).  It
might be getting his pre-loaded Buster Cube.  It might be playing with his
foxtail or Mr. Sharky (favored training toys).  It might be a game of soccer
with his Boomer ball.  I know that giving a jackpot calls for a short
training break.  I've planned that into my session.  I allow him plenty of
time to enjoy the results of his work.  After all, he earned it.

The greatest thing about CT training is that the dog wants to continue
training so he can earn more reinforcers.  Once jackpot time is over I put
away the toys/goodies and indicate I'm ready to start working again.  Why is
my dog now motivated to work?  So he can get a chance for more interaction
and more goodies.  Once the dog understands that the behavior leads to the
jackpot, he'll be ready to go back to do more work.  And he'll go back with a
wonderful attitude.              

>>However a
 sooper dooper "jackpot" has to be treated with a great deal of caution
 otherwise look for a loss in concentration - the dog simply gets hpyed up
 with the jackpot and offers all and every behaviour that comes into his
head.
 
You might see some of this frantic behavior at first.  Your dog is simply
trying to figure out what earns reinforcers.  With experience and
understanding of CT training, he'll start working with more focused
intensity.  

For some training sessions I'll spread out all my possible reinforcers on a
table.  I'll let my dog see/sniff all of them.  Then we have to go work.  The
dog has a choice again, he could hang out by the table hoping for a goodie,
but that's a non-reinforced behavior.  Once he realizes that performing
behaviors with me is the key, he's willing to leave the table, work, then go
back to pick out his +R.  In fact, he has a pretty good idea of when
reinforcement should occur and will sometimes head for the table just before
I'm about to click.  His timing is better than mine!   

The best testimonial for CT training has come from my Golden boy, Sully.  At
the end of a training session after I pack up my things and am ready to leave
he refuses to leave the ring.  He stands there like a little mule, trying to
entice me back into the ring to 'play the game' a bit longer.  I knew my
training methods were successful when I saw that.  If he never gets a title
it won't matter.  He loves working with me.  

>>Thought of the week -- "jackpot in moderation"
 
To my way of thinking, then it's no longer a jackpot.  

Another thing to keep in mind, jackpots are also about classical
conditioning.  I use them to help the dog make a pleasant association,
particularly with something stressful.  I used them for my Lab at several
points during the Open routine, to keep her energy and enthusiasm up.  Some
of the time I was just reinforcing her for continuing to work, not for
anything really special.  But by putting in jackpots, I was getting more
animated and brighter attitude from her.  Especially for 'crossover' dogs,
jackpots can be a very useful tool.  

Deb
plnetk0@aol.com