[nagdu] food rewards

Thu Sep 15 19:45:38 UTC 2011

All,

Please remember that food rewards are intended to REWARD a particular
behavior as part of the on-going training process.  Giving food every time
for life that the dog does something we like makes for a happy dog, but it
does not reinforce behavior after awhile.  Food rewards are intended to be a
tool to reinforce good behavior until our guides get what we want them to
do.

Once the behavior is learned food rewards should be decreased and ended for
that behavior.  Sure you might still use one for a particular behavior
occasionally after a behavior pattern has been established, but don't use
the food forever.  If you do you are only being conned by your dog.

Mike Hingson

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Sherry Gomes
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 11:20 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] GDB's new methods

No problem.  I was a very outspoken opponent of food rewards when I first
heard about them.  I have to say, food rewards might have saved Bianca's
life, when a fire alarm went off at an airport, and my friend tried to run
outside with her--I can't physically run, so I went sighted guide with
another friend.  Well, the friend with Bianca dropped her leash, the outer
doors opened and Bianca flew out, almost running into the area where the
cars drive.  I got out and called her with a palm full of kibble, and she
came running.  She could so easily have gotten hit that day.  Also, the food
rewards helped keep Bianca working longer when she developed a fear of other
dogs.  I worked at GDB, which was a tough place for a dog who was nervous
around dogs!  The food helped her continue to work for several more years,
with the kibble rewards and lots of encouragement from me.  Eventually, I
felt she'd done enough and retired her.  But I know the food rewards helped
her.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Tracy Carcione
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 12:10 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] GDB's new methods

Thanks for these explanations.
Tracy

> absolutely not.  sure, some handlers probably do that kind of thing.  in
> fact, with Bianca and now with Olga, I often do.  I need them to find
> wheel
> chair ramps, so I often give them food rewards across the street he upcurb
> side, but they do not rush across streets.  also, I live by a very
> complicated street crossing--I would end up moving by the most complicated
> crossing in my town.  The crossing is stressful for me and for Olga.  I
> don't mind rewarding her when we get across it.  By the way, it never ever
> replaces praise.  I bend down, hug her, tell her what a good girl she is
> and
> then give her a piece of kibble.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Tracy Carcione
> Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 10:00 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] GDB's new methods
>
> Hi Sherry.
> Thanks.  That's very interesting.  So you don't have to give a treat at
> every up-curb?  I would think that would make the dog rush across the
> street.  Sometimes I feel like rushing across the street, but TSE told me
> to go slow if Ben wants to.  It does give him more time to react, I guess,
> even if it's nerve-wracking for me.
>
> Margo, I was in GDB's 2-week class 3 times, and that was in the pre-treats
> era.  I really liked it.  Not so much messing about.  Get in, get it done,
> go home!
> Tracy
>
>> I think your friend has the process a little confused.  Which is easy to
>> do.
>> The way GDB does clicker training means it's the click and treat you
>> reduce
>> over time and yes the treat as well, depending on your dog, of course.
>> You
>> use the click and treat while teaching your dog something such as
>> finding
>> a
>> light pole or bus stop or doorway, then once the dog knows it, you back
>> off
>> on the click, then gradually back off ont he treat, if you want.  My
>> current
>> guide hardly ever needs food rewards, and my retired guide got them for
>> almost everything.  I always have kibble in my pockets.  But remember,
>> you
>> also always delete the amount from the daily meals for the dogs.  The
>> whole
>> click and treat thing is so customizable depending on the handler's
>> needs
>> and desires and the dog's needs and best way to motivate.  And I'm
>> someone
>> who used to be strongly anti food reward when GDB first started using
>> it,
>> but now I'm completely sold on it.
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf
>> Of Tracy Carcione
>> Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 6:35 AM
>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [nagdu] GDB's new methods
>>
>> I thought GDB was using clicker training, the click & treat, with the
>> treats decreasing frequency as the dog figured out what was wanted.
>> (That's my understanding of C&T, which I admit is rather vague.)  But I
>> was talking to a friend about it, and she thinks that GDB is not
>> clicking,
>> just using food rewards, and that the treats never decrease.  She thinks
>> that the new GDB graduate is constantly handing out treats, at least at
>> every up-curb, and probably other places.  We're picturing a guy
>> schlepping a 5-pound bag of kibble for a long walk!
>> Are there any recent GDB graduates on the list who've been trained in
>> the
>> new methods?  What is it really like? Now I'm eaten up with curiosity!
>> C&T me!
>> Tracy
>>
>>
>>
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