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| How Dog Training Works: Reinforcers |
Click to go: Articles > How Dog Training Works > Reinforcers
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Reinforcers can involve either the addition of a new element or the removal of
an element currently present. The terminology for this is a little confusing, but
adding something is referred to as "positive," though not necessarily in the
sense of "happy" or "good." "Negative," in this case, is the removal of
something, and doesn't necessarily mean "bad." Therefore, both rewards and
punishers can be either positive or negative.
Giving a parrot a piece of fruit for waving its foot is an addition of something
good (a positive reward); a horse moving faster to stop the pressure of spurs is
the ending of something bad (negative reward). Even though "negative reward"
sounds like an oxymoron, the removal of something bad is a kind of reward.
Punishers work exactly the same way. When a dog pulls on the leash and gets a
sharp tug in the opposite direction, especially when using a choke chain or
prong collar, it's a positive punisher or correction; the dog receives unpleasant
feedback for undesirable behavior. Alternatively, a punisher can be the removal
of something good -- as when a child loses the privilege of going out with
friends following misbehavior; this is a negative punisher.
an element currently present. The terminology for this is a little confusing, but
adding something is referred to as "positive," though not necessarily in the
sense of "happy" or "good." "Negative," in this case, is the removal of
something, and doesn't necessarily mean "bad." Therefore, both rewards and
punishers can be either positive or negative.
Giving a parrot a piece of fruit for waving its foot is an addition of something
good (a positive reward); a horse moving faster to stop the pressure of spurs is
the ending of something bad (negative reward). Even though "negative reward"
sounds like an oxymoron, the removal of something bad is a kind of reward.
Punishers work exactly the same way. When a dog pulls on the leash and gets a
sharp tug in the opposite direction, especially when using a choke chain or
prong collar, it's a positive punisher or correction; the dog receives unpleasant
feedback for undesirable behavior. Alternatively, a punisher can be the removal
of something good -- as when a child loses the privilege of going out with
friends following misbehavior; this is a negative punisher.
| Photo courtesy Hannah Harris Some commonly used positive punishers include shock collars, prong collars and choke chains. |
There are many ways to teach a dog to sit using a reinforcer. The trainer may
push or lure the dog into a sitting position, or he may simply wait until the dog
sits naturally on its own. Once the dog sits, the trainer may offer a positive
reward such as verbal praise ("good boy!"), tactile praise (a pat on the head), a
favorite toy, or a treat. Some trainers use negative rewards like electronic
collars to administer a mild shock to the dog, which stops as soon as he sits.
The dog learns he can eliminate the shock by sitting. For ethical reasons, many
people frown on this. However, it follows the same principles of operant
conditioning. In every case, the dog will learn that when he hears the command
"sit" and he sits, he will get a reward.
push or lure the dog into a sitting position, or he may simply wait until the dog
sits naturally on its own. Once the dog sits, the trainer may offer a positive
reward such as verbal praise ("good boy!"), tactile praise (a pat on the head), a
favorite toy, or a treat. Some trainers use negative rewards like electronic
collars to administer a mild shock to the dog, which stops as soon as he sits.
The dog learns he can eliminate the shock by sitting. For ethical reasons, many
people frown on this. However, it follows the same principles of operant
conditioning. In every case, the dog will learn that when he hears the command
"sit" and he sits, he will get a reward.
| Photo courtesy Hannah Harris Many people prefer to use treats as reinforcers when training. |
Reinforcers can be almost anything as long as they are meaningful to the dog.
One dog may think treats are more valuable than toys, while another may feel
the opposite. It doesn't really matter what the reinforcer is, but for practical
reasons, some reinforcers are easier to work with than others. Also, the same
reinforcer doesn't have to be used every time or in every situation. Some tasks
may require a more valuable reinforcer than others. As PetSmart obedience
trainer Dan O'Leary puts it, "you would probably step over a chair if I offered you
a dollar to do it. But you probably wouldn't wash and wax my car for a dollar."
Similarly, your dog may work for one type of reward in the relative calm of your
home but may need something more desirable to maintain focus in class.
We'll look at how trainers developed markers, or cues, to train animals other
than dogs.
One dog may think treats are more valuable than toys, while another may feel
the opposite. It doesn't really matter what the reinforcer is, but for practical
reasons, some reinforcers are easier to work with than others. Also, the same
reinforcer doesn't have to be used every time or in every situation. Some tasks
may require a more valuable reinforcer than others. As PetSmart obedience
trainer Dan O'Leary puts it, "you would probably step over a chair if I offered you
a dollar to do it. But you probably wouldn't wash and wax my car for a dollar."
Similarly, your dog may work for one type of reward in the relative calm of your
home but may need something more desirable to maintain focus in class.
We'll look at how trainers developed markers, or cues, to train animals other
than dogs.
How Dog Training Works Topics 1. Introduction to How Dog Training Works 2. Reinforcers 3. Markers 4. Clicker Training: Introducing Commands 5. See all Dogs articles |
How Dog Training Works Topics 1. Introduction to How Dog Training Works 2. Reinforcers 3. Markers 4. Clicker Training: Introducing Commands 5. See all Dogs articles |
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