Steven Lindsay uses varied cortical rewards strategically in dog training to manage and improve canine behavior through a method known as the orienting/TAT procedure. This approach integrates the concept of cortical surprise, which plays a crucial role in enhancing training outcomes by introducing varied rewards that exceed the dog's standard expectations. This technique is aimed at fostering a high level of predictability and controllability in the training process, which significantly contributes to behavioral adjustment and the development of impulse control .

In this training methodology, Lindsay incorporates an initial reward, referred to as the "standard expectancy" (SE), which is of minimal value but sufficient to elicit an orienting response from the dog. This establishes a baseline of reward expectancy. Throughout the training, Lindsay introduces superior rewards at random intervals. These unexpected rewards produce a cortical surprise effect, a key component in enhancing the dog’s incentive and engagement during training sessions. The surprise rewards are not only varied in size and type but also in the timing and manner of their presentation, which helps to invigorate the dog's attention and promote an adaptive response pattern .

Such varied and strategically timed rewards aim to create a positive prediction error, where the outcome is better than expected, thereby reinforcing the learning process through heightened attention and motivational shifts. This method effectively employs the principles of behavioral psychology, specifically the manipulation of reward dynamics, to foster desirable behaviors in dogs while also addressing various canine behavior problems .