Modern Principles of Shaping - 2. Ensure success at each step!

I'm writing a 10 part blog post where I discuss the Modern Principles of Shaping by Karen Pryor, to help solidify them in my mind.

2. Ensure success at each step. Break behavior down into small enough pieces that the learner always has a realistic chance to earn a reinforcer.

 

1. Breaking behavior down is one of the main things you need to do before you start (See Principle 1).  But it is applied here so the leaner can always do the request, so they can be rewarded.  
2. I've heard that 80% of the the attempts, the learner should succeed.  And if it is below that threshhold, you should go back a step - relax your requirements.  
3. Remember that a reinforcer can be anything - food, water, play, freedom, etc.  
4. The shaper is the one who determines if the learner gets a reinforcer, and it is up to you to set the learner up for success.