Patent Publication Number: US-2013233246-A1

Title: Treat dispenser

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure is generally related to treat dispensers that may be used for training an animal, and in particular to ergonomic, easy to use treat dispensers having a telescoping member displaceable with respect to a housing member to dispense a treat and to actuate a sound producing element that may be used for training an animal. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Through training, an animal may be conditioned to provide necessary or otherwise beneficial services to the trainer or other individual. For example, an animal may be trained to act as a service dog such that the animal may provide necessary assistance to individuals who are physically or mentally disadvantaged. Additionally, an animal may be trained in other contexts such, for example, as for entertainment purposes, for general obedience, or for any other behavior that a trainer wishes to impart on the animal. 
     One method for training an animal is commonly referred to as “clicker training ” Clicker training is a form of reward-based, positive reinforcement training that uses a stimulus (i.e., a sound or other sensory input) as a conditioned reinforcer or “bridge” to assist in shaping the animal&#39;s behavior. For example, a sound maker (i.e., a clicker) that produces a reproducible, consistent sound may be actuated upon the animal performing a behavior that is desired. After each click, the animal is rewarded with praise, an edible treat, or some other positive reinforcement. In this regard, the animal may develop a pavlovian response to the click, wherein the animal associates the click with the positive reinforcement the animal receives immediately following the click. The speed at which the trainer may click may be much faster than the time it takes to actually deliver the positive reward. As such, the click acts as a “bridge” that indicates immediately to the animal that they have performed as desired such that the reward will be delivered. In this regard, clicker training may speed training efforts as the desired behavior may be indicated to the animal or “marked” immediately. 
     However, clicker training may be awkward to implement for a trainer. For instance, when training dogs, for example, the trainer may often simultaneously hold the animal&#39;s leash, a treat, a clicker, other training aids, and/or other implements. In this regard, the actuation of the clicker and delivery of the treat while maintaining control over the other implements employed by the trainer may be cumbersome. This may lead to a delay in the click or delay in the subsequent delivery of the treat, either of which may retard the training process. Even in the case where a trainer utilizes pockets (e.g., pockets in the trainer&#39;s clothing or other accessory), accessing an item from the pocket of the user may still add time to the marking of a desired behavior with a click or may add time between the click and the delivery of the treat, thus slowing training progress. 
     SUMMARY 
     In light of the foregoing, treat dispensers and methods are described herein that may be used for training an animal. The treat dispensers discussed herein may facilitate the training of an animal by allowing a stimulus (e.g., a click) to be produced and a reinforcing treat be dispensed with a single actuation of the treat dispenser. Accordingly, a desired behavior by the animal may be marked with the click and rewarded with a dispensed treat within a short time period to enhance the benefit of the clicker training of the animal. The treat dispensers described herein may be actuated by a trainer in a one-handed manner, thus freeing the trainer to utilize his or her other hand. 
     One aspect disclosed herein includes a dispenser for dispensing treats for an animal. The dispenser may include a housing member having a sidewall with an outer surface that is gripable by a user. The sidewall may have a dispensing opening provided therethrough. The dispenser also may include a telescoping member that is telescopically disposed with respect to the housing member. For example, at least a portion of the telescoping member may be disposed within the housing member and operable to telescopically move with respect to the housing member. The dispenser may include a sound producing element (e.g., a clicker). While embodiments of a treat dispenser including a sound producing element are discussed herein, it will be appreciated that any stimulus (e.g., any sensory stimulus such as a visual stimulus, or the like) may also be provided that is produced upon actuation of the treat dispenser. The sound producing element may be actuated to produce a sound (e.g., a click). The dispenser may also include a containment volume that is at least partially defined by the housing member and the telescoping member for containing a plurality of treats therein. The telescoping member and housing member may be displaceable with respect to one another to dispense at least one treat from the containment volume through the dispensing opening and actuate the sound producing element. Thus, the dispensing of the treat and the production of the sound may be substantially contemporaneous (e.g., substantially simultaneous). 
     A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the first aspect. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features that will be discussed may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination of features of the first aspect. 
     For example, in one embodiment, the treat dispenser may dispense a predetermined number of treats with each actuation. In this regard, the telescoping member may include a dispensing chute. The dispensing chute may be sized to as to contain the predetermined number of treats. Upon the displacement of the telescoping member and the housing member, the dispensing chute may be aligned with the dispensing opening, thus allowing for the treats disposed within the dispensing chute to be dispensed. The dispensing chute may include a gate, wherein the gate is closed upon the relative displacement of the telescoping member and the housing member. Accordingly, treats from the containment volume may be prevented from entering the dispensing chute when the telescoping member is displaced with respect to the housing member (i.e., in the actuated position). That is, the predetermined number of treats may be disposed between the gate and the dispensing opening prior to the displacement of the telescoping member and the housing member. When the gate is closed, the gate may block treats in the containment volume from entering the dispensing chute. However, when the gate is open, a predetermined number of treats may pass through the gate from the containment volume into the dispensing chute. Thus, upon subsequent actuation of the treat dispenser, treats that have become disposed in the dispensing chute may be dispensed. The treat dispenser may be biased to a non-dispensing position. Thus, the telescoping member and the housing member may return to an unactuated or non-dispensing position upon release of an actuation force by the user. 
     As described above, the treat dispenser may allow for one-handed operation by a user. In this regard, the outer surface of the housing member may be gripable by the fingers of a user such that the telescoping member is displaceable with respect to the housing member by the thumb of the user in a direction perpendicular to the fingers gripping the outer surface. Thus, a user flexing his or her thumb while gripping the treat dispenser may result in actuation of the treat dispenser to produce a sound and dispense a treat. The treat dispenser may be positioned with respect to gravity such that upon actuation of the treat dispenser, treats are urged by gravity from the dispensing opening. In one embodiment, the dispensing opening may be disposed on an end of the housing member opposite the end of the housing member that provides telescopic engagement of the telescoping member and the housing member. In this regard, treats may be dispensed from an end of the treat dispenser generally opposite the end of the treat dispenser contacted by the thumb of the user. 
     In one embodiment, the sound producing element may include a depressible button disposable adjacent to the thumb of the user when the user grips the outer surface of the housing member such that the depressible button may be actuated to produce the sound (e.g., a click) upon actuation of the treat dispenser by the thumb of the user. Alternatively, the sound producing element may be actuated by contact between the housing member and the telescoping member upon actuation of the treat dispenser. 
     Additionally, at least one of the housing member and the telescoping member may define a fill opening selectively accessible for filling the containment volume with treats. As such, once the supply of treats contained by the dispensing volume has been depleted, the containment volume may be replenished with treats. Accordingly, the treat dispenser may be reusable. 
     In one embodiment, an auxiliary sound producing element for producing a second sound (e.g., a whistle) different than the sound of the sound producing element (e.g., a click) may be provided on a treat dispenser. The auxiliary sound producing element may be useful, for example, for a secondary purpose during the training For instance, the auxiliary sound producing element may be used to train the animal to perform some certain action (e.g., coming to the trainer, performing some particular action, etc.). In one embodiment, the auxiliary sound producing element may emit a sound that is generally louder than the sound producing element. Thus, the auxiliary sound producing element may be used to command an animal at a distance from the trainer longer than the distance for which the sound producing element may be used. 
     A second aspect includes a method for dispensing a treat for an animal. The method may include actuating a treat dispenser by displacing a telescoping member with respect to a housing member, wherein the telescoping member is telescopically disposed with respect to a housing member. The method may also include sounding a noise from a sound producing element in response to the actuating and dispensing a treat from a containment volume at least partially defined by the housing member and the telescoping member. 
     A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the second aspect. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features that will be discussed may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination of features of the second aspect. 
     For example, the treat dispenser may generally be as described above with respect to the first aspect. The telescoping member may include a dispensing chute, and wherein upon the actuating of the treat dispenser, the dispensing chute is aligned with a dispensing opening provided through the housing member. The dispensing chute may include a gate, and the method may also include closing the gate upon the actuation of the treat dispenser. A predetermined number of treats may be disposed between the gate and the dispensing opening upon the actuation of the treat dispenser. When the gate is closed, the gate may block treats in the containment volume from entering the dispensing chute, and when the gate is open, a predetermined number of treat may pass through the gate from the containment volume into the dispensing chute. 
     One embodiment of the method may include gripping an outer surface of the housing member with the fingers of a user such that the telescoping member is displaceable with respect to the housing member by the thumb of the user in a direction perpendicular to the fingers gripping the outer surface during the actuating. Accordingly, upon disposing the housing member with respect to gravity, upon actuation of the treat dispenser, treats may be urged by gravity from the dispensing opening. 
     The sound producing element may include a depressible button disposable adjacent to the thumb of the user when the user grips the outer surface of the housing member such that the depressible button is actuated to produce the sound upon actuation of the treat dispenser by the thumb of the user. Alternatively, the sound producing element may be actuated by contact between one of the housing member and the telescoping member upon actuation of the treat dispenser. 
     A third aspect disclosed herein includes a method for training an animal. The method may include monitoring behavior of an animal for a desired behavior (e.g., sitting, laying down, coming when called, performing some task, or other desired behavior of the animal). The method further includes actuating a treat dispenser upon performance of said desired behavior. For example the treat dispenser may be according to any of the above disclosed aspects or embodiments without limitation. For instance, the actuating may include displacing a telescoping member with respect to a housing member to actuate a sound producing element and dispense treats from the treat dispenser. The method further includes delivering the dispensed treat to the animal. 
     A number of feature refinements and additional features are applicable to the third aspect. These feature refinements and additional features may be used individually or in any combination. As such, each of the following features that will be discussed may be, but are not required to be, used with any other feature or combination of features of the third aspect. For example, the method may include queuing the animal to perform the desired behavior before or at substantially the same time as the performance of the desired behavior. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a treat dispenser. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in an actuated position. 
         FIG. 3  includes elevation views of another embodiment of a treat dispenser. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  in an unactuated state and an actuated state, respectively. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are cross sectional views of the embodiment of the treat dispenser  FIG. 3  taken along section line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view depicting the end wall of the embodiment of the treat dispenser  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the top of the treat dispenser shown in  FIG. 3  with a filling lid exploded from the treat dispenser. 
         FIG. 8  depicts an embodiment of a lanyard and belt clip attachable to the embodiment of the treat dispenser  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 9  includes elevation views of another embodiment of treat dispenser. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the treat dispenser of  FIG. 9  with the telescoping member exploded from the housing member. 
         FIG. 11  shows the treat dispenser  FIG. 9  with a filling lid in an open position. 
         FIG. 12  depicts a secondary or auxiliary sound producing element of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 13  depicts an embodiment of a lanyard for use with the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 14  depicts the embodiment of  FIG. 9  being held by a user. 
         FIG. 15  includes elevation views of still another embodiment of a treat dispenser. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the treat dispenser of  FIG. 15  in an exploded state. 
         FIGS. 17A-17C  are cross sectional views of the embodiment of  FIG. 15  in various configurations. 
     
    
    
     Common reference numerals are used to indicate like elements through the drawings and detailed description 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commiserate with the following teachings, skill, and other knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein are further intended to explain modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other embodiments, and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the invention. 
     The present description is generally related to treat dispensers having a sound producing element such that upon actuation of the dispenser, a treat may be dispensed from the dispenser and a sound may be produced by the sound producing element. The treat dispensers disclosed herein may be particularly suited to the field of an operant conditioning method such as “clicker training ” The treat dispensers described herein may allow a trainer to provide a sensory stimulus to the animal being trained while at the same time, or in a very short time thereafter, allowing a treat to be dispensed to the animal as positive reinforcement. In this regard, the trainer may be able to hold a treat dispenser as described herein with one hand in order to both produce the sensory stimulus (e.g., a click) and dispense a treat to provide to an animal as positive reinforcement. Accordingly, the number and/or complexity of devices or objects a trainer must handle may be reduced, thereby improving the training experience for the trainer and allowing an improved training experience. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a schematic view of an embodiment of a treat dispenser  100 . The dispenser  100  may include a housing member  102  including a sidewall  104 . The sidewall  104  may have an outer surface  106  that is gripable by a user. Furthermore, the sidewall  104  may have a dispensing opening  108  passing through the sidewall  104 . The housing member  102  may also include an end wall  100  disposed on an opposite end of the housing member  102  as a housing opening  112 . 
     A telescoping member  114  may be telescopically disposed with respect to the housing member  102 . For example, the telescoping member  114  may pass through the housing opening  112  provided opposite the end wall  110  of the housing member  102 . While not shown in  FIG. 1 , the telescoping member  114  and/or housing member  102  may include features in order to maintain the telescoping member  114  in telescopic relation with respect to the housing member  102 . For example, the telescoping member  114  and housing member  102  may be sized and/or include features to prevent the telescoping member  114  from being removed from the housing opening  112  of the housing member  102 . 
     The telescoping member  114  and/or the housing member  102  may include a containment volume  116 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the telescoping member  114  substantially defines the containment volume  116 . Alternatively, the housing member  102  may define at least a portion of the containment volume  102 . In any regard, the containment volume  116  may be sized so as to hold a quantity of treats  122  therein. For example, the containment volume  116  may be sized to hold at least about  20  treats therein. Alternatively, the containment volume  116  may be sized to hold more than about  20  treats such as, for example,  30  or more treats,  35  or more treats, or even  40  or more treats. In the depicted embodiment, a containment volume opening  118  may be provided in the telescoping member  114 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the treat dispenser may be positioned in an unactuated position, wherein the containment volume opening  118  is not aligned with the dispensing opening  108 . Thus, the treats  122  may be contained within the containment volume  116  so that the treats  122  cannot pass to the exterior of the dispenser  100 . With further reference to  FIG. 2 , the treat dispenser  100  may be actuated (i.e., moved to an actuated position) with respect to the housing member  102  such that the telescoping member  114  is displaced so as to align the containment volume opening  118  and the dispensing opening  108 . A biasing member  120  may bias the treat dispenser  100  to the unactuated position as shown in  FIG. 1 . As such, absent an actuation force being applied to one of the telescoping member  114  and/or housing member  102  to overcome a biasing force of the biasing member  120 , the treat dispenser  100  may remain in the unactuated position such that the containment volume  116  may be secure so no treats  122  are allowed to escape from the containment volume  116 . 
     Additionally, a sound producing element may be provided. For example, the sound producing element maybe a deflectable reed (e.g., a metallic reed  124 ) that omits a loud sharp clicking sound upon deflection of the metal reed  124 . Such metallic reeds  124  are often using in traditional clickers used for clicker training It will be understood that other sound producing elements other than the metallic reed  124  depicted may be utilized without limitation. In any regard, upon movement of the telescoping member  114  with respect to the housing member, the metallic reed  124  may be deflected so as to admit a sound (e.g., a click). As described above, the activation of the sound producing element may coincide in close temporal proximity to the dispensation of treats  122  from the containment volume  116  to an exterior of the dispenser  100 . For example, the production of the sound and the dispensing of the treats  122  may occur substantially contemporaneously (e.g., simultaneously). 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the telescoping member  114  may have a filling opening  126  that may be selectively opened to fill the containment volume  116  with treats  122 . For example, the filling opening  126  may be covered by a fill cap  128 . The fill cap  128  may be selectably displaceable away from the fill opening  126  so as to access the containment volume  116  and provide treats  122  therein. In the embodiment depicted, the fill cap  128  may be attached to the telescoping member  114  by way of a hinge  130 . In this regard, the fill cap  128  may be pivotal about the hinge  130  so as to move away from the filling opening  126  to allow the containment volume  116  to be filled with treats  122 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , another embodiment of a treat dispenser  132  is depicted. The treat dispenser depicted in  FIG. 3 , like the dispenser shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  may have a telescoping member  114  disposed with respect to housing member  102 . The housing member  102  may include features along the outer surface  106  that correspond to the hand of a user (e.g., dimples  134  in which the fingers of the user may be disposed when the dispenser  132  is held by a user). In this regard, the treat dispenser  132  may be held such that the fingers of a user grip the outer surface  106  of the housing member  102  allowing the thumb to rest on the free end  136  of the telescoping portion  114 . In this regard, displacement of the thumb with respect to the fingers of the user gripping the housing member  102  may displace the telescoping member  114  with respect to the housing member  102  so as to activate a sound producing element (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) and actuate the dispenser  132 , for example, as described above with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts an exploded view of the embodiment of the treat dispenser shown  132  in  FIG. 3 . A biasing member  120  (e.g., a coil spring) may be disposed between the housing member  102  and telescoping member  114  to bias the treat dispenser  132  to an actuated position. Also shown in the exploded  FIG. 4  is another embodiment of a sound producing device  142 , the operation of which will be described in further detail below. Additionally as depicted in  FIG. 4 , a lanyard  138  and/or belt clip  140  may be provided as options for a user to secure the treat dispenser  132  to his or her person, clothing, etc. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a cross sectional view taken along section line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3  is depicted. The treat dispenser  132  is shown in an unactuated position in  FIG. 5A  and in an actuated position  FIG. 5B . The telescoping member  114  may include a dispensing chute  144  that, when the treat dispenser  132  is in the unactuated position the dispensing chute  144  is not aligned (e.g., offset) with respect to the dispensing opening  108  of the housing member  102 . As such, a number of treats  122  may become disposed in the dispensing chute  144  when in the unactuated position shown in  FIG. 5A . Upon displacing the telescoping member  114  with respect to the housing member  102 , the dispensing chute  144  may be aligned with the dispensing opening  108  such that any treats  122  disposed in the dispensing chute  144  may exit the dispensing opening  108  when the treat dispenser  132  is in the actuated position as shown in  FIG. 5B . 
     Additionally, the dispensing chute  144  may include a gate  146  that, when in the unactuated position, is open. The gate  146  may generally be defined between a baffle  172  extending into the containment volume  116  and a floor  174  of the containment volume  116 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , a gate projection  148  may extend from the end wall  110  of the housing member  102  such that a portion of the gate projection  148  is disposed in a slot  150  (best seen in  FIG. 4 ) provided in the telescoping member  114  through the floor  174  and adjacent to the gate  146 . In this regard, when the telescoping member  114  is displaced with respect to the housing member  102 , the gate projection  148  extending from the end wall  110  housing member  102  may pass through the slot  150  provided in the telescoping member  114  to extend across the dispensing chute  144  between the floor  174  and the baffle  172  to prevent treats  122  in the containment volume  106  from entering the dispensing chute  144  when in the actuated position. 
     The volume of the dispensing chute  144  downstream of the gate  146  may be sized to hold a predetermined number of treats  122 . As such, when the treat dispenser  132  is displaced from the unactuated position to the actuated position, the predetermined number of treats  122  may be dispensed. The dispensing chute  144  may be sized to hold one or more treats  122 . For example, the dispensing chute  144  may hold at least about one treat  122  and no more than about four treats  122 . In one embodiment, the dispensing chute  144  may hold, and therefore dispense, about three treats  122  per actuation of the treat dispenser  132 . 
     Also shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  is another embodiment of a sound producing element  152 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , the telescoping member  114  may have an actuation projection  154  extending from the floor  174  toward the end well  110  housing member  102 . The sound producing element  152  may extend through the end wall  110  of the housing member  102 . Upon displacement of the telescoping member  114  with respect to the housing member, the actuation projection  154  may contact the sound producing element  152  so as to produce sound there from. For example, the actuating element  154  may have a flange that interacts with a corresponding flange of the sound producing element  152 . In this regard, the flanges may contact one another once the telescoping member  114  is moved with respect to the housing member  102 . Further movement of the telescoping member  114  with respect to the housing member  102  may result in one or both of the flanges elastically deforming and subsequently snapping back into position once the flanges have passed by one another so as to produce a clicking sound. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the sound producing element  152  may be selectably positionable with respect to a slot  176  in the end wall  110  such that when in the position shown in  FIG. 6 ,  5 A and  5 B, the sound producing element  152  is contacted so as to produce sound upon actuation of the telescoping member  114 . However, the sound producing element  152  may be moved in the slot  176  such that the sound producing element  152  extending through the end wall  110  is moved away from the actuating element  154 . Accordingly, the sound producing element  152  may be moved between an on and off position such that when in the off position the sound producing element  152  is not contacted by the actuation projection  154  shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  so as to not omit a sound. Accordingly, the treat dispenser  132  may be used without the sound producing element  152 , if so desired. 
       FIG. 7  depicts one embodiment of a fill opening  156  that is selectively accessible for filling the containment volume  106  with treats  122 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the fill opening  156  may be selectively coverable with a cap  156  that is removable from the fill opening  106  such that treats  122  may be inserted into the containment volume  106 .  FIG. 8  depicts another view of the lanyard  138  and the belt clip  140  that may be attached to the housing member  102 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts another embodiment of a treat dispenser  158 . The treat dispenser  158  depicted in  FIG. 9  may have a sound producing element  160  provided adjacent the filling opening  156  of the treat dispenser  158 . For example, as depicted, the sound producing element  160  may be provided on a fill cap  128  that is pivotally attached to the telescoping member  144  at a hinge  130 . In this regard, the sound producing element  160  may be disposed adjacent to the thumb of a user actuating the treat dispenser  158  and on an opposite side of the treat dispenser  158  away from the dispensing opening  108 . A number of ports  178  may be provided in the fill cap  128 . The ports  178  may provide openings that allow the sound produced by the sound producing element  160  to more clearly emanate from the sound producing element  160  (e.g., such that the click is louder). 
       FIG. 10  depicts an exploded view of the treat dispenser  158  shown in  FIG. 9 . As can be appreciated in  FIG. 10 , a number of tabs  162  may extend from the telescoping member  114  that engage corresponding grooves  164  provided in the housing member  102 . In this regard, the telescoping member  114  may be limited from rotating with respect to the housing member  102 . Additionally, the tabs  162  and grooves  164  may coordinate so as to prevent the telescoping member  114  from being removed from the housing member  102  once so inserted. Also, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the treat dispenser  158  may include a switch  186 . The switch  186  may be used to selectively prevent actuation of the treat dispenser  158 . That is, the switch  186  may be toggled between an “on” and “off” position. When in the “on” position, the telescoping member  114  may be allowed to be displaced with respect to the housing member  102  as described above to allow for dispensation of treats  122  from the containment volume  116 . When in the “off” position, the telescoping member  114  may be locked with respect to the housing member  102  to prevent actuation of the treat dispenser  158 . For the embodiment of the treat dispenser  158  shown in  FIG. 9 , preventing the telescoping member  114  from being displaced with respect to the housing member  102  may still allow for actuation of the sound producing element  160  in that the sound producing element  160  may be independently actuated absent movement of the telescoping member  114 . However, in alternative embodiments (e.g., the treat dispenser  132  of  FIG. 3 ), where the sound producing element is actuated by movement of the telescoping member  114  with respect to the housing member  102 , locking the telescoping member  114  with respect to the housing member  102  may also disable the sound producing element. 
       FIG. 11  depicts the filling opening  156  of the treat dispenser  158  including a top portion  166  of the telescoping member  114  that may be hingeably attached to and pivotally movable respect to the containment volume  106  so as to expose the filling opening  156  so treats  122  may be provided therein. In this regard, the top portion  166  including the sound producing element  160  may form the fill cap  128  that may be secured with respect to the fill opening  126  to close the containment volume  116 . The fill cap  128  may include a clasp  182  that engages a lip  184  of the containment volume opening  118 . The clasp  182  may be disengaged from the lip  184  by depressing the button  180 . This may free the fill cap  128  from the containment volume opening  118  such that the fill cap  128  may be moved away from the containment volume opening  118  (e.g. pivoted away therefrom about the hinge  130 ). 
     With respect to  FIG. 12 , a secondary sound producing element  168  is shown. The secondary sound producing element  168  may be used in addition to or as an alternative to the sound producing element  160  (e.g., a clicker button provided on the telescoping member  114 ). The secondary sound producing element  168  may be useful for a secondary purpose during the training For example, the secondary sound producing element  168  may be used to train the animal to perform some certain action (e.g., coming to the trainer, performing some particular action, etc.). In one embodiment, the secondary sound producing element  168  may emit a sound that is louder than the sound producing element  160 . Thus, the auxiliary sound producing element  168  may be used to command an animal from a distance greater than for which the sound producing element  160  may be used. 
     With respect to  FIG. 13 , the embodiment of the treat dispenser  158  may also include a lanyard  138  that may be used by a trainer to secure the dispenser to themselves or a portion of their clothes. Also, the treat dispenser  158  may include a belt clip  170  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 11 ). The belt clip  170  may be provided integrally with the housing member  102 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 14 , the treat dispenser  158  may be held by the user as shown. The user may hold the treat dispenser  158  in a single hand  186  such that the fingers  188  of the user wrap around the outer surface  106  of the housing member  102 . For example, the user&#39;s fingers  188  may be disposed in the dimples  134  defined in the housing member  102  as shown above with respect to  FIG. 9 , etc. When the user grasps the housing member  102  such that the user&#39;s fingers  188  are wrapped about the housing member  102 , the user&#39;s thumb  190  may be disposed adjacent to the telescoping member  104 . As used herein, the term fingers is used to denote the index through the small finger (i.e., the finger disposed on the most ulnar side of the user&#39;s hand  186 ). That is, for purposes of this disclosure the user&#39;s thumb  190  is described separately from the fingers  188 . 
     In any regard, the user may flex his or her thumb  190  in the direction of the arrow  192  to displace the telescoping portion  104  with respect to the housing member  102 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 14 , the user&#39;s thumb  190  may also be disposed adjacent to the sound producing element  160 . Accordingly, a treat  122  may be dispensed from the dispensing opening  108  and the sound producing element  160  may be activated to produce a sound as described above. In this regard, the thumb  190  of the user may be displaced in a direction generally perpendicular to the fingers  188  of the user wrapped about the housing member  102 . The displacement of the thumb  190  in a direction perpendicular to the fingers  188  may be an ergonomic movement such that the user may repetitively actuate the dispenser  158  with minimal fatigue. Also, due in part to the structure of the dispenser  158 , the user may operate the dispenser  158  in a one-handed manner, thus freeing the user&#39;s other hand to perform other tasks. Furthermore, while the embodiment of the treat dispenser  158  is shown as being held in the manner described above by the user, it will be understood that the other embodiments of the treat dispenser discussed herein may be held and/or operated in a similar manner as described with respect to the treat dispenser  158 . 
     Still another embodiment of a treat dispenser  194  is shown in  FIG. 15 . The treat dispenser  194  may generally include features similar as the other embodiments of treat dispensers described above. Thus, the elements and features of the above-described treat dispensers common to the treat dispenser  194  are denoted with the same reference numerals used in the description above. For example, with further reference to FIGS.  16  and  17 A- 17 C, the treat dispenser  194  may include similar structures and features related to the dispensation of a predetermined number of treats  122  from the dispenser  194  upon each actuation of the treat dispenser  194 . In this regard, as shown best in  FIGS. 17A-17C , the treat dispenser  194  may include a gate  146  defined in a dispensing chute  144 . As such, upon actuation of the treat dispenser  194 , a gate projection  148  may extend through a slot  150  in the telescoping member  114  to span between a floor  174  and a baffle  172  to close off a containment volume  116  as described above with respect to  FIGS. 5A and 5B . 
     Also, the treat dispenser  194  may be lockable to prevent displacement of the telescoping member  114  with respect to the housing member  102 . In this regard, a rotatable end portion  196  may be provided on the treat dispenser  194  that is capable of being moved (e.g., selectively rotated) to lock the treat dispenser  194  to prevent displacement of the telescoping member  114  with respect to the housing member  102  or to unlock the treat dispenser  194  to allow for displacement of the telescoping member  114  with respect to the housing member  102 , as will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     With additional reference to  FIG. 16 , the treat dispenser  194  is shown in an exploded state. As can be appreciated in  FIG. 16 , the rotatable end portion  196  may be engaged with a locking hub  198 . In this regard, the locking hub  198  may be rotationally fixed relative to the rotatable end portion  196  such that the rotatable end portion  196  and the locking hub  198  are rotationally moved upon rotation of the rotatable end portion  196 . The locking hub  198  may have a locking post  200  extending therefrom. The locking post  200  may be, for example, generally semicircular in profile. With additional reference to  FIGS. 17A-17C , when in a locked position (as shown in  FIG. 17A ), the locking post  200  may be disposed with respect to a finger  204  extending from the telescoping member  114 . For example, the locking post  200  may about the finger  204  such that the telescoping member is prevented from being displaced relative to the housing member  102 . 
     The rotatable end portion  196  may be rotated in the direction indicated by arrow  206  in  FIG. 17B . For example, the rotatable end portion  196 , and in turn the locking hub  198  may be rotated such that the locking post  200  is displaced away from the finger  204 . For example, the semicircular nature of the locking post  200  may allow for the finger  204  to become free from the locking post  200  upon rotation of the locking post  200  along with the locking hub  198  and the rotatable end portion  196  (e.g., upon rotation of the locking post about  180  degrees). Thus, the locking post  200  may be disposed as shown in  FIG. 17B , such that the finger  204  is not contacted by the locking post  200  and can be moved with respect thereto to the actuated position as shown in  FIG. 17C . It will be appreciated that the locking hub  198  may include an aperture  210  through which the finger  204  may pass when the telescoping member  114  is displaced with respect to the housing member  102 . 
     Additionally, the locking hub  198  may include a stop  202  that rotates along with the locking hub  198  and rotatable end portion  196 . The stop  202  may contact one of two tabs  208  provided on the housing assembly  102  to define the extent of rotational travel of the locking hub  198  between the locked position and the unlocked positions shown in  FIGS. 17A and 17B , respectively. 
     As can also be appreciated from FIGS.  16  and  17 A- 17 B, the sound producing element  160  may include a metallic reed  124  as described above with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The metallic reed  124  may be affixed at one end thereof within the fill cap  128  that is pivotally moveable about the hinge  130  to expose the fill opening  126  through which treats  122  may be deposited into the containment volume  116 . Accordingly, a button  210  may be pressed so that the button  210  contacts and deflects the metallic reed  124  to produce a “click” sound. 
     Any of the treat dispensers described herein may be used in the training of an animal. The method may include monitoring the animal for performance of a desired behavior. The monitoring may include awaiting the performance of a desired behavior (e.g., sitting, lying down, or other naturally performed activities) and/or be accompanied by a command. The command may take the form of a hand signal, a verbal command, a sound command, or other queue to the animal. In any regard, upon performance of the desired behavior, the treat dispenser  100  may be actuated as described above. Upon actuation of the treat dispenser  100 , a sound producing element may sound a noise that marks the desired behavior of the animal. The actuation of the treat dispenser may also include dispensation of treats from the containment volume. The dispensed treats may be delivered to the animal. The delivery of the treats to the animal may be direct (e.g., the treats may be dispensed onto the ground and retrieved by the animal) or by way of the trainer (e.g., the treats may be dispensed into the hand of the trainer and then provided to the animal). The foregoing steps may be repeated a number of times until the animal performs the desired behavior in response to a queue or simply to reinforce the performance of the desired behavior. The treat dispenser may be refilled upon dispensation of all or a portion of the treats in the containment volume. The refilling of the containment volume may include moving or removing the fill cap and depositing additional treats within the containment volume. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character. For example, certain embodiments described hereinabove may be combinable with other described embodiments and/or arranged in other ways (e.g., process elements may be performed in other sequences). Accordingly, it should be understood that only the preferred embodiment and variants thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.