Teaching your dog
Teaching your dog how to use the Dogosophy Button is easier than you think and it can be an enriching activity for you both. There are two main methods you can use, which are described below. But, whichever method you choose, always make sure that you keep things positive and let your dog set the pace of his or her learning.
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The methods leverage associative learning, that is the ability of animals (and humans) to establish associations between co-occurring events. They both employ what is known as positive reinforcement, whereby a desired behaviour is rewarded with something your dog values (e.g. a treat) to increase the likelihood that the behaviour will reoccur, in the same circumstances in which it has been rewarded. When teaching your dog to use the Dogosophy Button, always reward the behaviour you wish to encourage, ignore the behaviour you do not wish to encourage and never punish the behaviour you wish to discourage.
Preparation: 'loading a marker'
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This is a really easy but important step, whichever method you use. As mentioned above, associations are established most effectively when events co-occur. However, it may take you time to give your dog a reward as he or she performs a behaviour you wish to reinforce. An easy solution is to first establish an association between a signal, also called a marker, and a reward. The marker should be simple and very quick to deliver, for example, the word "Yes!" or "Good!". To establish the association, simply utter the word and immediately offer them a small treat. Repeat this many times until you can see that, when you utter the marker word, your dog looks at you expectantly as they know the reward is coming. One the association between marker and reward is established (that is, once the marker is 'loaded'), you can use the marker to give your dog immediate feedback, but always follow that with a reward. ​​​​
Method A: Shaping
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This method involves gradually 'shaping' your dog's behaviour, as you reward what they do spontaneously.
Place the Button somewhere where your dog can see it and easily access it. As soon as they turn towards it, mark and reward. Do this repeatedly util the behaviour is consistent. Then, instead of rewarding them just for turning towards the Button, wait for them to approach it, then mark and reward. Do this repeatedly until they do so consistently. Then, wait for them to sniff or touch the Button and, as soon as they do, mark and reward. And so on, until they press the push pad. As soon as they do, mark and give plenty of reward, making a big deal of the fact that they pressed. Do this repeatedly until the behaviour is consistent. Now, start associating a cue to the behaviour, for example, the word "Touch!", by uttering that word every time your dog presses the push pad. Later on, you can use the cue to ask them to activate the button.​
Method B: Luring
This method involves using a reward to 'lure' your dog towards the control and encourage them to interact with it.
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Place the Button somewhere where your dog can see it and easily access it. Smear a bit of paste (e.g. cream cheese, peanut butter) on the push pad and attract their attention towards it. As they approach to leak off the paste (the 'lure'), utter a cue, for example, the word "Touch!" to start associating the word with their action. As soon as your dog presses the push pad as they leak off the paste, mark and reward. Do this repeatedly until the behaviour is consistent. Then, start cueing your dog to interact with the button gradually reducing the amount of paste you use, until you no longer smear any paste on the push pad. However, continue to mark and reward every time your dog pushes the pad. Do this repeatedly until the behaviour is consistent and your dog can activate the Button without the lure.
Irrespective of the methods that you choose to use with your dog, place the appliance you intend to control near the Button, so that your dog can see the outcome of their interaction and begin to associate the two events. If the outcome is relevant to them (the activation of a fan when they feel hot), they are likely to learn more quickly and subsequently activate the control independently to obtain the associated outcome.
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IMPORTANT: if during the process your dog experiences a set back or they simply need time to learn, do not pressure them. Give them plenty of breaks, take a step back or two or three, if necessary and, after a break of minutes, hours or even days, resume from where they had last succeeded. Learning requires a positive mindset and it is important that you help your dog stay positive. Learning to use the Dogosophy Button should be an enriching cognitive challenge that is fun for your dog and provide an opportunity to strengthen your relationship as you achieve something new together.