Abstract:
An animal training device is disclosed. The training device includes a target section and a base section coupled together. The base section includes a top portion and a rounded bottom portion. An annular flange is located between the top portion and the bottom portion and extends outward from the top portion and bottom portion. The annular flange is operable to ensure that excessive exterior forces do not knock over the training device. The training device is portable as well as self-righting.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    According to the American Veterinarian Association, there are more than fifty-two million dogs in this country. The majority of these dogs are owned by pet owners that endeavor at some point to train their dogs or hire someone to train their dogs. However, since prehistoric man first domesticated the canine, little has changed in the way dogs are trained. Dog training is still dominated by the belief that force is needed to bend or break the will of the dog.  
           [0002]    Recently, there has been movement toward a more humane way of training dogs. Using reinforcements in the form of treats, verbal praise or play, a dog can learn to associate a proper behavior with an external reinforcement. In a teaching methodology disclosed in the booklet and video “CLICK AND TREAT Training Kit Version 1.1/1.2” by Gary Wilkes, a training clicker is used as an external stimulus. The clicker is used as a learning formation tool in order for the animal to associate the correct behavior with a beneficial consequence. Later, verbal praise can replace the clicker. To teach more complex behaviors using this method, a dog can be taught to associate a targeting stick with the reinforcements and the external stimulus. In this manner, behaviors such as heeling can be taught.  
           [0003]    A common behavior that a dog learns is a “go-out”. In this behavior, a dog makes a controlled movement from a first point to a second point. The spot the dog needs to go to is usually far enough away that the basic click and treat with a targeting stick cannot be used to teach the behavior. What is needed is a dog training device that can be used to teach a go-out and similar behavior efficiently and easily.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    Accordingly, it may be appreciated that a need has arisen for an animal training device. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an animal training device is disclosed which provides substantial advantages.  
           [0005]    In one embodiment of the present invention, an animal training device is disclosed. The training device includes a target section and a base section coupled together. The base section includes a top portion and a rounded bottom portion. An annular flange is located between the top portion and the bottom portion and extends outward from the top portion and bottom portion. The annular flange is operable to ensure that excessive exterior forces do not knock over the training device. The training device is portable as well as self-righting.  
           [0006]    The present invention provides various technical advantages. For example, one technical advantage is a dog training device that cannot be tipped over is disclosed. Additionally, the dog training device is portable and can be used indoors and out. Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which like reference numbers represent like parts and in which:  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 illustrates a dog training device in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 illustrates the use of the device to train a dog; and,  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the use of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 illustrates an animal training device  10  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Device  10  comprises a target section  12  which attaches to a bottom section  16  via a rod  14 . Bottom section  16  comprises a rounded bottom portion  20  attached to a top portion  18 . In approximately the middle is a flange  22 .  
         [0012]    Target section  12 , in one embodiment, is a spherical section and can be manufactured from plastic, rubber, foam, or other suitable materials. Rod  14  can be any rigid connector which will transfer motion of target section  12  to bottom section  16 .  
         [0013]    Rounded bottom portion  20  of bottom section  16  allows for device  10  to stand upright and vertical in presentation when initially placed and to rapidly return to a vertical position when subjected to outside forces, such as a dog hitting target section  12 . The self-righting nature of device  10  allows for the target to be set in one spot and to have multiple dog/device interactions without the need of resetting the device. In one embodiment, rounded bottom portion  20  has a flat-bottomed hemispherical shape which preserves the vertical nature of the target. That is, in one embodiment, rounded bottom portion  20  has a flat bottom for contact a surface with rounded sides, similar to a bowl. Bottom portion  20  is also weighted for stability. The exact shape of bottom portion  20  is not important as long as it allows device  10  to rock when target section  12  or rod  14  are displaced and then return to a stable, upright position. Bottom portion  20  can be manufactured from steel, heavy plastic or other suitable material with steel, lead or other heavy material used as the counterweight.  
         [0014]    Top portion  18  is, in one embodiment, essentially hemispherical in shape, although any shape can be used. Top portion  18  is designed to receive rod  14  and attach to bottom portion  20 . Top portion  18  is typically manufactured from similar material as bottom portion  20 , such as steel, aluminum, hard plastic and other suitable materials.  
         [0015]    Flange  22  is located between top portion  18  and bottom portion  20  and extends outwardly from top and bottom portion  18  and  20 . Flange  22 , in one embodiment, is made from a material such as rubber. Other materials can also be used as long as flange  22  primary function, providing a contact surface (which helps to shift the center of gravity of device  10 ) to prevent device  10  from falling over, is achieved.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 illustrates the use of device  10  in training a dog. Illustrated is a trainer  30 , a dog  32  and device  10 . Dog  32  is taught to associate touching target area  12  of device  10  with a reinforcement such as a treat, play, physical affection or verbal praise. Of course, to receive the reinforcement, dog  32  must return to trainer  30 . If the behavior is properly performed, a training clicker can be used to indicate this, thus attaching an external stimulus to the proper behavior. Then to receive a subsequent treat the dog must go out to device  10  again. By increasing the distance between the trainer  30  and device  10 , dog  32  will learn how to go out and come back. After that behavior is learned, jumps or other obstacles  33  could be placed between the device  10  and trainer  30 . In this way, dog  32  can be taught to associate signals with directed movements. Dog  32  can also be taught to move a particular distance and/or direction to search for and/or discover or fetch objects.  
         [0017]    Note that device  10  and target area  12  are designed to attract the dog&#39;s attention. It is also designed to be self righting so that dog  32  can hit the target device with its muzzle or paw and device  10  will rock but not fall over. This ensures continued training without the need for trainer  30  to repeatedly fix targets. Flange  22  provides extra assurance that device  10  will not fall over by providing a contact area and by helping to shift the center of gravity of device  10  to ensure its return to an upright position. Additionally, device  10  is portable and can be used both indoors and outdoors on any surface (except deep liquids). Device  10 , unlike some conventional dog training aids, does not need to have an edible substance such as liver placed on it to get the animal to come to the aid. Instead, the animal associates the reinforcement and external stimulus with device  10  and provides the proper behavior.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is a flowchart which outlines a method for using device  10  for training an animal, such as a dog. In step  40 , the dog is taught to associate touching device  10  with an external stimulus such as a click from a training clicker or verbal praise. One way of doing this is disclosed in the booklet and video entitled “CLICK AND TREAT Training Kit Version 1.1/1.2” by Gary Wilkes. After the dog has mastered the behavior of touching device  10 , more complexities can be added.  
         [0019]    In step  42 , the trainer begins to move away from device  10 . This requires the dog to go from the trainer, to device  10 , and back to the trainer either immediately or on a command (based on the behavior the dog is learning). Eventually, a verbal command is attached to the behavior after the dog has mastered the behavior, in step  44 . Additional behavior such as jumping over obstacles can be added to the behavior by adding jumps between the trainer and device. Also, a dog can be taught to move in a particular fashion in a particular direction or manner.  
         [0020]    Although the present invention has been described for use with dogs, other animals can also be trained using this device, as is apparent to those skilled in the art. Additionally, although certain behaviors have been highlighted, additional behaviors can be learned utilizing device  10  as disclosed here within.