In the realm of canine behavior and training, Steven Lindsay's orienting/TAT procedure stands out as a nuanced approach that leverages psychological principles to enhance training effectiveness and address behavioral issues. This article delves into the intricacies of this method, exploring its foundational concepts, practical application, and the underlying psychological mechanics that make it an effective training strategy.
Conceptual Foundation of the Orienting/TAT Procedure
The orienting/TAT procedure introduced by Steven Lindsay is rooted in the psychological phenomena of orienting responses and cortical surprises. The orienting response is an animal’s reflexive reaction to novel stimuli, which initially captures the animal's attention. This natural reflex forms the basis of Lindsay’s training approach, which aims to harness and modify this response in a controlled training environment.
The inclusion of "TAT" in the name refers to "Targeting Arc Training," which emphasizes the critical role of a dog’s attention in the training process. The procedure operates on the premise that effectively capturing and managing a dog’s attention is essential for successful learning and behavior modification.
The Role of Cortical Surprise
A central element in Lindsay’s method is the use of cortical surprise. This refers to the introduction of unexpected rewards that exceed the dog’s established expectations. In a typical training session, dogs develop a baseline expectation based on the initial rewards they receive, referred to as "standard expectancy" (SE). These rewards are adequate but minimal, designed to maintain engagement without providing maximum satisfaction.
As training progresses, the orienting/TAT procedure incorporates superior rewards randomly in terms of size, type, and delivery. This randomness creates a cortical surprise, or a positive prediction error, where the actual reward surpasses the anticipated one. The surprise not only invigorates the dog’s attention but also enhances its motivation and the salience of the training task.
Practical Application in Training
In practical terms, the orienting/TAT procedure begins with setting a baseline reward system that elicits an orienting response without fully satisfying the dog’s reward expectations. The trainer then intermittently introduces unexpected rewards. These are not just larger or more desirable but are delivered in a manner that heightens their impact, often at moments when the dog's attention might be waning.
The timing and nature of these rewards are critical. They must be unpredictable to prevent the dog from forming a new set of expectations that could dampen the effect of surprise. Moreover, the rewards should be contingent on desired behaviors, reinforcing the connection between correct behavior and positive outcomes.
Psychological Mechanics Behind the Method
The effectiveness of the orienting/TAT procedure lies in its engagement with the dog’s cognitive and emotional processes. By manipulating reward expectancy and introducing elements of surprise, the procedure taps into the neurological responses associated with pleasure and reward processing. This not only makes the training session more engaging for the dog but also deepens the learning experience, promoting better retention of the desired behaviors.
The varied and unpredictable reward system also helps in developing impulse control and adaptability in dogs. They learn to maintain focus and perform well consistently, without knowing when the next big reward might come. This aspect of training is particularly useful in managing behavior problems where impulsivity or inattention plays a role.
Conclusion
Steven Lindsay's orienting/TAT procedure is a sophisticated training method that effectively integrates behavioral science with practical dog training. By utilizing the principles of surprise and attention management, it achieves more than just obedience; it fosters a learning environment that engages dogs deeply, enhancing both their cognitive engagement and behavioral flexibility. This method not only improves the immediate effectiveness of training but also contributes to long-term behavioral stability and adaptability in dogs, making it a valuable tool for trainers.
Lindsay did speak of this but it was Pavlov in 1910 who coined it the “what is it reflex.” We use orienting responses a bit differently in K9 and detection but I have found a great way to use them and subsequently teach my students to use them for reactivity. The dog will throw its orienting response. I have attached a paper that is interesting on the hierarchy of orienting responses or the proposed hierarchy of ORs and ATs. In detection, they are known commonly as throwing a change or COB. However, it can also be used for reactivity. The dog will show an OR and I tell my clients they have about 3 seconds before the AT or as I call it ‘Losing their SH*T.” Once the hit the AT there really is no getting through to them. However, if they learn to get the dogs attention BEFORE the AT they can then walk the dog through the situation using just their voice. I have several clients who by the 3rd or 4th lessons are having dogs able to disengage easily and sometimes without help as they have learned to self regulate themselves. This is done on a loose leash and no rewards or corrections just science, timing and voice.
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I somewhat agree, because many of the building blocks of most dog training procedures can be traced back to Pavlov and Skinner, but this is under “dog training concepts” in the knowledgebase for people seeking more information when they hear of a specific concept or procedure (BAT, CAT, Safety Training, etc… so many of them) and this is an actual specific procedure that combines a few different concepts. Although parts of his procedure are definitely routed in Pavlov’s work, the specific procedure itself which is specific to training dogs and not controlled experiments also involves specifically variable TYPES of rewards and SCHEDULES etc after developing the initial orientation response, so goes beyond a single Pavlovian concept.
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