Animal training system

Abstract

A base of an animal training apparatus includes a dispenser that comprises a storage compartment configured to store rewards and to dispense rewards, a base signaling module configured to generate a reward signal, and a base wireless module configured to receive a dispense signal. A first target is detached from the base at a first target location at a first fixed distance from the base. The first target comprises a first target signaling module, a first sensor, and a first target wireless module. A second target is disposed at a second location, wherein the second location is a fixed distance from the base and comprises a second target signaling module, a second sensor, and a second target wireless module. The base further comprises a system configuration module, the system configuration module configured to access and modify configuration information of the dispenser, the first target, and the second target.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A system for training an animal, comprising:
 (a) a dispenser configured to dispense a reward at a base location that is accessible to an animal, said dispenser having a storage compartment configured to store rewards, a base signaling module configured to generate a reward signal and a signal receiver configured to receive a wireless signal; and   (b) a remote wireless module configured to wirelessly transmit a dispense signal to the dispenser to generate a reward signal and dispense a reward in response to a received dispense signal;   (c) wherein an animal learns to respond to a reward signal by moving to a dispenser; and   (d) wherein the animal associates a predetermined animal behavior with the reward signal and associates the reward signal with the arrival of a reward.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said reward signal is a signal selected from the group of signals consisting of an audible signal, a light signal and an audible and a light signal. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said signal receiver of said dispenser comprises a transceiver configured to receive a wireless dispense signal from the remote wireless module, initiate the base signaling module of the dispenser to generate a reward signal and dispense a reward and transmit a signal back to the remote wireless module that a reward has been dispensed. 
     
     
         7 . A system for training an animal, comprising:
 (a) a first dispenser configured to dispense food or treats at a first base location that is accessible to an animal, said first dispenser having a storage compartment configured to store reward food or treats, a base signaling module configured to generate a first dispenser reward signal and a signal receiver configured to receive a wireless signal;   (b) a second dispenser configured to dispense food or treats at a second base location that is accessible to an animal, said second dispenser having a storage compartment configured to store reward food or treats, a base signaling module configured to generate a second dispenser reward signal and a signal receiver configured to receive a wireless signal; and   (c) a remote wireless module configured to wirelessly transmit a individual dispense signal to each dispenser to generate a dispenser reward signal and dispense a reward in response to a received dispense signal;   (d) wherein an animal learns to respond to a specific reward signal by moving to a dispenser; and   (e) wherein the animal associates a predetermined animal behavior with the reward signal and associates the reward signal with the arrival of a reward.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said first dispenser reward signal is a signal selected from the group of signals consisting of an audible signal, a light signal and an audible and a light signal. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said second dispenser reward signal is a signal selected from the group of signals consisting of an audible signal, a light signal and an audible and a light signal. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said first dispenser dispenses a first reward in response to a first signal from the remote wireless module; and
 wherein said second dispenser dispenses a second reward in response to a second signal from the remote wireless module.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said signal receiver of each dispenser comprises a transceiver configured to receive a wireless dispense signal from the remote wireless module, initiate the base signaling module of the dispenser to generate a reward signal and dispense a reward and transmit a signal back to the remote wireless module that a reward has been dispensed. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a target.