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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.