We've worked out one of the additional (and very useful) functionalities on our PetTutor--the timed delivery mode. This mode allows you to set up the PetTutor to deliver single kibble at intervals of 5seconds up to 30minutes apart. You can also set it to do this for a number of kibbles (such as a meal's worth) and to even have variation in the timing delivery--so it can be a bit unpredictable to the dog how frequently they'll get the treat (variable rate reinforcement--key for supercharging behavioral responses). So now that Ali's meals take roughly an hour to get through with her "whack a a wobbler" game, we can extend them even further and make them last an entire day. This can be an immensely valuable function for pets who may be on crate rest due to injury or because they are traveling, or who may be bored or anxious at being alone or in their crate. It could also be particularly helpful for dogs/puppies that are undergoing crate training. Ali is so chilled out she's nearly going to sleep between her breakfast kibbles.
We have finally gotten in our long-awaited PetTutor for Ali--so now I have two teched-out Greyhounds! For anyone considering a smart device for their pets, this one would definitely be at the top of my list for it's expansive adaptability and excellent performance. We have started out with just the PetTutor Blu unit and a smart clicker--I have quickly realized that the optional base will be very helpful to freestanding applications and portability, so I would definitely recommend getting this at the outset. Our base is already on order.
The PetTutor is, in essence, a smart feeder. However, it's design enables a huge range of applications that many other smart feeders may not be able to achieve. The current model is Bluetooth enabled, and requires a (free) app from the manufacturer to run. This means that the device can be activated (and the pet rewarded) from a distance with remarkable ease. This is great for those of us that are lacking in aim on our treat throws! Plus the activation can be precisely paired with stimuli, making it a great tool for addressing issues such as resource guarding or reactivity. On a larger scale, multiple PetTutors can be linked together to allow for immediate reward for multiple dogs at once, which can be very helpful in kennel situations. The PetTutor website has some excellent examples of some of the varied uses that the PetTutor has been adapted for.
The instructions that come with the device are relatively minimal, however, the website and user Facebook page have a reasonable library of guides, FAQs, and tutorials to help you sort out common queries and customer service is prompt in replying to any individual concerns. Some of the guides do reference activities relating to the original model which came with a smart remote (these are still available for individual purchase), so users do need to keep this in mind. Also, the manufacturer and third parties are continuing to develop additional programming and allied apps and devices, so these libraries can be expected to grow as new options and functionalities become available.
Once you have downloaded the app, setting up the PetTutor is as simple as plugging it in or inserting a few D-cell batteries if you prefer to go wireless (worth considering to prevent pets from chewing on cords or if they will be left unsupervised with it) and pressing the power button.
The app will use the Bluetooth on your smart device (tablet or phone) to identify the PetTutor, and allows you to connect with the press of a button. The PetTutor can then be activated to dispense treats through the hole in the base by pressing the Feed button on the app or by linking in an activating device. The PetTutor can also be manually triggered by using the arrow button on the side. This is also a good way to test the sound volume, which is played whenever the device is triggered by the app or manually. Sound volume can be adjusted using the speaker phone button on the side of the PetTutor.
The innards of the PetTutor are a very clever design with treats dispensed by a set of turning silicon brushes. These can be removed for cleaning. A "magic eye" assesses the treats as they pass by it to help calibrate the brushes on how much turning they need to do to dispense treats. This device has been able to take literally everything I have put in it! Everything from my dog's square-shaped kibble to ZiwiPeak flakes to a dried meat crumble (looks like wee threads) known as Nature's Nutrients from a regional pet treat company. Treats are dispensed in minute amounts, which is ideal for training. The large reservoir (can hold 5cups) is suitable for putting a pet's meal in, which is ideal for slowing down gulpy eaters and utilizing a pet's daily rations for training--a practice highly recommended by most progressive trainers. Due to the effects of contrafreeloading (I highly recommend reading up on the concept), most pets will find this way of eating more enjoyable, anyways.
The Pet Tutor can be easily activated by use of the app, kind of like having a clicker in your smart phone. However, we elected to get a SmartClicker to aid us in some of our intended training plans. The Smart Clicker appears very similar to a normal clicker, however, it emits a Bluetooth signal to communicate to the app, which then triggers the PetTutor. This means you can leave your smart device on and somewhere secure (eg putting your phone in your pocket) while you use the clicker as the actual cueing device. Even more exciting, this SmartClicker can be toggled into a tilt mode. This means it can be activated by movement. For example, if you are working on grooming related training such as toe nail trimming, you can pop the clicker in your sock to leave both of your hands free and just tap your foot when you want to reinforce the pet. Alternatively, you can pop the tilt-activated clicker into a Kong Wobbler and the pet can then play an independent game of "whack the Wobbler" where knocking on the wobbler will trigger the clicker which will trigger the PetTutor. If the PetTutor is positioned to release it's food onto a snuffle mat, the pet will get even more enjoyment (and a longer meal time) snuffling around for the dispensed treat in the mat. If the Wobbler is located across the room from the pet, then they'll get a fair bit of exercise walking between Wobbler and the PetTutor.
Currently we're primarily using the PetTutor balanced on top of Ali's crate to work on building positive associations with the crate (she tolerates it, but I would like to get her to the stage of enjoying it so much that she desires it so travel is a bit more fun for her, plus means it's not annoying for her if she ever has to be on crate rest for anything). The design is remarkably stable with the bulk of the device weight in its base. And it handily doles out perfect treat allotments right onto her bed or snuffle mat for interactions with the Wobbler. I'm also using the clicker function to reward her for staying in the crate when I'm walking around the room or working in the kitchen. As you can see in the following videos, Ali is having a great time and getting lots of reinforcement for quiet, calm activity and wholly enjoying herself.
We've been rather absent from the blog thanks to having spent pretty much the entire month of January recovering from a dog attack over the holidays. Then February we were catching up with training, starting some nosework with Ricky and continuing Ali's nosework (subject for another post) and just generally catching up with life. Oh, and we also had a bit of an adventure getting Ricky's heart ultrasound done--we did confirm the leaky mitral valve that we expected, but it looks like his heart meds are doing the trick and his measurements were otherwise adequate for his breed.
So back to the Hub. We're still on level 7, have pretty much plateaued there. Ricky is still getting meal fed so he doesn't have a lot of hunger drive to really advance the levels. I'm happy enough for him to go and have a wee play when he's feeling a bit aroused or in need of entertainment. It's certainly fulfilling my needs for something to occupy the genius hound and keep my house intact. In some ways I actually wonder if he's outsmarted the machine in terms of finding the least effort way to get the treat. He generally seems to realize that he has to hit one of the two lit buttons, however, rather than exerting himself to work out which one to hit, he just hits whichever one he feels like knowing that if it doesn't work, then he has to hit the other one when the device re-activates.
