Abstract: One variation of a method for selectively serving primary reinforcers to an animal includes: accessing a set of characteristics of an animal and estimating a target caloric intake of the animal based on the set of characteristics; identifying a type of primary reinforcer loaded into a training apparatus configured to dispense units of the primary reinforcer based on behaviors performed by the animal responsive to commands output by the training apparatus; in response to identifying the type of primary reinforcer as a first primary reinforcer, loading a first nutrient profile for the first primary reinforcer; and, in response to the first nutrient profile specifying a first caloric density of units of the first primary reinforcer, loading a first training protocol for a first training session for the animal onto the training apparatus based on the target caloric intake of the animal.

Abstract: One variation of a method for acclimating a dog to autonomous training with a training apparatus, includes: accessing a video feed of a working field; dispensing a first set of treats into the working field at a first frequency and outputting an audible reinforcer at a first volume level; estimating a first acclimation score representative of acclimation to dispensation of the first set of treats; in response to the first acclimation score exceeding a threshold acclimation, dispensing a second set of treats at a second frequency less than the first frequency and outputting the audible reinforcer at a second volume greater than the first volume; estimating a second acclimation score responsive to the second set of treats; in response to the second acclimation score exceeding the threshold acclimation, the second frequency falling below a threshold frequency, and the second volume exceeding a threshold volume, verifying acclimation of the dog.

Abstract: One variation of a method includes: accessing a video feed recorded at a training apparatus configured to dispense primary reinforcer units; dispensing a first primary reinforcer unit toward a first location; in response to detecting the animal at the first location, dispensing a second primary reinforcer unit toward a second location intersecting a pathway extending from the first location; in response to detecting movement of the animal along the pathway, collecting a timeseries of position data representing changes in position of a set of anatomical features of the animal; based on the timeseries of position data, deriving a movement profile representing movement of the animal along the pathway; based on a difference between the movement profile and a baseline movement profile defined for the animal, interpreting an abnormality and predicting a causal pathway for the abnormality; and selecting a mitigation protocol based on the causal pathway.

Abstract: One variation of a method for autonomously training animals to respond to oral commands includes: prompting a user to select a training protocol; prompting the user to record a first audio clip of the user reciting a voice command associated with a target pose within the training protocol, the user affiliated with the animal; accessing a video feed recorded by an optical sensor during a first training session; in the video feed, detecting the animal within a working field; while the animal is detected in the working field, playing back the first audio clip; in the video feed, detecting a current pose of the animal; calculating a deviation between the current pose of the animal and the target pose; in response to the deviation falling within a threshold: playing an audio clip of a secondary reinforcer; and dispensing a unit of a primary reinforcer via an integrated dispenser.

Abstract: One variation of a method for autonomously training an animal includes: loading an autonomous training protocol for the animal onto a training apparatus configured to dispense units of a primary reinforcer responsive to behaviors performed by the animal; during an autonomous training session for the animal, accessing a video feed of a working field near the training apparatus, detecting the animal in the video feed, and executing the first autonomous training protocol; calculating a training score for the autonomous training session based on behaviors performed by the animal during the autonomous training session; selecting a manual training protocol, from a set of manual training protocols, based on the training score; generating a prompt to execute the first manual training protocol with the animal during a first manual training session; and transmitting the prompt to a user associated with the animal.

Abstract: One variation of a method for acclimating a dog to autonomous training with a training apparatus, includes: accessing a video feed of a working field; dispensing a first set of treats into the working field at a first frequency and outputting an audible reinforcer at a first volume level; estimating a first acclimation score representative of acclimation to dispensation of the first set of treats; in response to the first acclimation score exceeding a threshold acclimation, dispensing a second set of treats at a second frequency less than the first frequency and outputting the audible reinforcer at a second volume greater than the first volume; estimating a second acclimation score responsive to the second set of treats; in response to the second acclimation score exceeding the threshold acclimation, the second frequency falling below a threshold frequency, and the second volume exceeding a threshold volume, verifying acclimation of the dog.

Abstract: One variation of a method for selectively serving primary reinforcers to an animal includes: accessing a set of characteristics of an animal and estimating a target caloric intake of the animal based on the set of characteristics; identifying a type of primary reinforcer loaded into a training apparatus configured to dispense units of the primary reinforcer based on behaviors performed by the animal responsive to commands output by the training apparatus; in response to identifying the type of primary reinforcer as a first primary reinforcer, loading a first nutrient profile for the first primary reinforcer; and, in response to the first nutrient profile specifying a first caloric density of units of the first primary reinforcer, loading a first training protocol for a first training session for the animal onto the training apparatus based on the target caloric intake of the animal.

Abstract: One variation of a method for autonomously training an animal includes: loading an autonomous training protocol for the animal onto a training apparatus configured to dispense units of a primary reinforcer responsive to behaviors performed by the animal; during an autonomous training session for the animal, accessing a video feed of a working field near the training apparatus, detecting the animal in the video feed, and executing the first autonomous training protocol; calculating a training score for the autonomous training session based on behaviors performed by the animal during the autonomous training session; selecting a manual training protocol, from a set of manual training protocols, based on the training score; generating a prompt to execute the first manual training protocol with the animal during a first manual training session; and transmitting the prompt to a user associated with the animal.