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to train a dog first take a Vow of Silence and shape the behavior first. otherwise unnecessary energy is spent trying to figure out what the signal means.https://twitter.com/a_yawning_cat/status/1353982032645246977 …

e.g. instead of 'do the wubaluba' and then shaping it, first shape it using anything EXCEPT tokenized verbal communication (e.g. luring, body movement) THEN introduce the token. otherwise there is confusion/frustration spent on trying to figure out 'wubaluba'

this is for the trainer(cat). from the dog's side, the advice is "don't try to figure out wubaluba if you don't know what it is." e.g. if u don't know what love/happiness/enlightenment is stop trying to "get" it. you can't by definition be lost if u don't know where ur going

do anything that gets you positive feedback (a sign from 'God') and 'follow your heart'. then use these signals to learn the behavior. eventually you'll 'get' it and realize 'ooooh, that's what he/she/they/cat meant"

the trap of course is environments that constantly provide positive feedback or "trade" positive feedback for other kinds of favors. another trap is environments that only shape through negative feedback. that saps overall motivation/desire-to-live.