Emphasize the importance of timing in training from "summary" of Don't Shoot the Dog! by Karen Pryor
Timing is crucial in training animals. If you want to teach a dog to sit, for example, you must give the command "Sit" at the exact moment the dog's bottom hits the ground. If you say "Sit" too early, the dog won't understand what you mean. If you say it too late, the dog won't associate the command with the action. The same principle applies to other animals and even humans. Timing is not just about when you give a command, but also when you deliver a reward. If you want to reinforce a behavior, you must reward the animal immediately after they perform the desired action. This is called "bridging." A bridge can be a word like "Yes!" or a clicker. The bridge tells the animal that they did the right thing and that a reward is coming. Consistency in timing is key to effective training. If you sometimes reward the animal immediately and other times delay the reward, the animal will become confused and may not learn the desired behavior. Timing is a language that animals understand, and we must speak it clearly and consistently to communicate effectively with them. Timing is also important when it comes to correcting unwanted behaviors. If you wait too long to correct a behavior, the animal won't associate the correction with the action. For example, if you scold a dog for chewing on a shoe an hour after the fact, the dog won't understand why they are being scolded. Correction must be immediate to be effective.- Timing plays a critical role in training animals. By emphasizing the importance of timing, we can communicate effectively with our animal companions and teach them the behaviors we desire. Timing is the key to successful training and must be practiced consistently to achieve desired results.
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