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Episode 45: Mar 16, 2023
1. What is positive reinforcement?
Sits & Wiggles:
Positive Reinforcement methods have been used on humans and animals alike. When a desired behavior is achieved, a reward is given, which reinforces the probability of the desired behavior reocurring. These methods are backed by science & proven by results.
Positive Reinforcement practices have many names including: R+, Fear Free, Force Free, Reward Based, & No Harm.
Positive Psychology:
Positive reinforcement refers to the introduction of a desirable or pleasant stimulus after a behavior. The desirable stimulus reinforces the behavior, making it more likely that the behavior will reoccur.
It’s a positive parenting method used for a variety of purposes and in a wide range of contexts, as it capitalizes on the good behaviors that are already being displayed, rewarding the natural tendencies towards good behavior in the individual you are working to train.
A Brief Look at B.F Skinner and His Operant Conditioning Model
Skinner’s model of operant conditioning is based on the assumption that studying a behavior’s cause and its consequences is the best way to understand and regulate it. This theory grew from Thorndike’s “law of effect” which stated that a behavior that is followed by pleasant or desirable consequences is likely to be repeated, while behavior that is followed by undesirable consequences is less likely to be repeated (McLeod, 2018).
The model defined by Skinner goes further, outlining four methods of conditioning:
Positive reinforcement: a desirable stimulus is introduced to encourage certain behavior.
Positive punishment: an undesirable stimulus is introduced to discourage the behavior.
Negative reinforcement: an undesirable stimulus is removed to encourage the behavior.
Negative punishment (also called extinction): a desirable stimulus is removed to discourage the behavior.
Each of these four methods of conditioning can be implemented to teach, train, and manage behavior.
Simple Psychology:
There are four types of positive reinforcers: natural, tangible, social, and token. Positive reinforcement can be delivered in experiments as part of a partially fixed schedule.
Humane Society:
Positive reinforcement can include food treats, praise, petting, or a favorite toy or game. Since most dogs are highly food-motivated, food treats work especially well for training. A treat should be enticing and irresistible to your pet. Experiment a bit to see which treats work best.
The American Kennel Club:
The use of aversives has fall out. Thanks to the involuntary learning of classical conditioning, dogs trained with unpleasant actions often associate those aversives with the trainer and the training process. These dogs don’t look forward to learning, they don’t want to try new things, and their bond with their owner is eroded.
However, a focus on rewards not only influences dog behavior but teaches dogs to love training. Positive reinforcement is all about earning the good stuff. Without fear of doing the wrong thing, your dog can become an active participant in the training process. They will start trying new things, get plenty of mental exercise, and actively look for ways to earn rewards. Plus, instead of just learning what not to do, they learn what you expect in each situation. Finally, because of classical conditioning, your dog will associate you with the wonderful rewards you provide which strengthens your bond. And isn’t that a wonderful Positive rway to take advantage of science.
2. Are Positive Reinforcement Methods Humane?
Sits & Wiggles:
Positive Reinforcement practices are the most humane option. R+ methods provide the opportunity for effective behavior modification without the threat of fear or pain. The use of aversives is unnecssary & harmful. This information is provided via scientific research.
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior:
Founded in 1976, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) unites veterinarians and research professionals who share an interest in both understanding animal behavior and treating behavior problems that affect the welfare of animals and the people who care for them.
AVSAB’s mission is to share accurate, science-based education and information to their membership. AVSAB also periodically publishes membership consensus position statements to share with the entire veterinary profession and to the public on common behavior controversies and practices.
AVSAB is committed to improving the quality of life of all animals and strengthening the bond between animals and their caregivers.
Arizona Humane Society:
Positive reinforcement training has long been thought to be the most effective, long-lasting, humane and safest method in dog training. Not only is this method one of the most powerful tools for shaping or changing your pet's behavior, good behaviors are more likely to occur in the future.
3. Is R+ Training Effective?
Companion Animal Psychology:
Positive reinforcement is a very effective way to train dogs (and other animals). Positive reinforcement means adding something immediately after a behaviour occurs that makes the frequency of the behaviour go up.
Americam Kennel Club:
Dogs repeat behaviors that are rewarding to them. For example, if your dog gets a treat when they sit, they will be more likely to sit again in the future. That’s why positive reinforcement training, or training with rewards, is so effective. As with any skill, to be as successful as possible, positive reinforcement training takes practice and an accurate understanding of the mechanics.
Companion Animal Psychology: (Article Excerpt)
"Positive Reinforcement is More Effective at Training Dogs than an Electronic Collar, Study Shows" By Zazie Todd, PhD (July 22, 2020)
We’ve known for a while that training dogs with aversive methods, including electronic collars, has risks for animal welfare. Positive reinforcement training is effective and does not have those risks. New research from the University of Lincoln, published today in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, finds that in a typical situation where proponents of electronic collars often recommend them, positive reinforcement training by trainers who specialize in reward-based training works better than training with or without a shock collar by trainers who would normally use a shock collar.
The scientists say,
“These findings refute the suggestion that training with an E-collar is either more efficient or results in less disobedience, even in the hands of experienced trainers. In many ways, training with positive reinforcement was found to be more effective at addressing the target behavior as well as general obedience training. This method of training also poses fewer risks to dog welfare and quality of the human-dog relationship. Given these results we suggest that there is no evidence to indicate that E-collar training is necessary, even for its most widely cited indication.”
The Academy for Dog Trainers (Article Excerpt)
The Double Advantage of Reward-Based Training
by Zazie Todd | Jul 22, 2017 | blog The science of dog training shows risks to canine welfare from aversive methods, and positive benefits from using rewards.
Although an increasing number of dog trainers are force-free, there are currently no regulations on dog training and still some on-going debate amongst trainers and dog owners about what is the best method to train a dog. But the science, which already pointed to risks in using aversive methods, has continued to develop.
Many dog trainers are concerned the use of punishment in dog training may have unwanted effects. They point to the position statement of the American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior which warns of “potential adverse effects which include but are not limited to: inhibition of learning, increasing fear-related and aggressive behaviors, and injury to animals and people interacting with animals.”
These potential unwanted effects are put into sharp focus by a review by Gal Ziv PhD published earlier this year. The review covered 17 research papers, from large-scale questionnaires to observational studies, experiments, and veterinary case studies. It compared reward-based methods (positive reinforcement and negative punishment) to aversive methods (positive punishment and negative reinforcement). For example, use of a shock collar, hitting the dog, pinning the dog, using a choke or prong collar, bark collars, and sharp tugs on the leash (“leash corrections”) are all aversive techniques.
We’ll look at the results of this review and then consider potential reasons, as well as other important changes in how we think about animal welfare.
Aversive methods are not more effective.
4. Don't all R+ trainers just use treats as rewards? Won't my dog gain weight? What if my dog isn't food motivated?
Sits & Wiggles:
While it is accurate that most R+ dog trainers use edible treats as rewards, it is a common misconception to think that treats are the ONLY tool in their training toolbox. Many of these trainers also utilize life rewards to motivate their trainees. These may include praise, play, and attention. For example, let's consider a trainer who is working with a puppy on bite inhibition. As long as the puppy is being gentle with his or her mouth, the play session continues. If the mouthing becomes too rough, the play ends. In this example, play is the reward. The reward continues as long as the desired behavior continues.
In order to minimize the potential for adverse health risks, such as excessive weight gain, the "treats" may be the dog's normal kibble. Remove the training amount from the dog's meal measurement. This ensures that the dog isn't consuming more calories than recommended. If the dog requires a higher value training treat, consult with your vet to configure the proper amount of food, treats and exercise for your specific dog's health regimen.
If your dog doesn't respond well to treats, research what do they do respond to. What brings your dog joy? Do they want more time catching balls, hiking or playing tug o war? Remember that life rewards are rewards. The trick is to not have too little or too much of anything. It's not healthy to over or under exercise, over or under feed, etc. Again, this is why we recommend consulting with your veterinarian, as health & safety go hand in hand.
The Academy of Pet Careers:
It’s important to think about reinforcers from the dog’s perspective and think in real time. What does the dog want right this minute? Reinforcers can change over time--even during a single training session. Your dog may want to play Fetch like there’s no tomorrow, but after 15 throws (as reinforcement for 15 Sit/Stays), the dog may be tired. Fetch may not be so reinforcing now. In fact, it may even feel a little punishing if he’s really tired out. Now he may prefer to work for a belly rub.
Premack Principle During R+ Training
There’s a cool concept called the Premack Principle that we can use to our advantage during R+ training. The Premack Principle says that the opportunity to perform a high probability behavior will reinforce the performance of a low probability behavior. Basically, it means that we can teach our dogs to do a less desirable behavior for the opportunity to do a more desirable behavior. Does your dog like to dig? Work near his dig-pit, and when he does his manners skills, reward him with time to dig. I taught a shelter dog loose leash walking using the opportunity to mark (pee on stuff) as his reinforcer! It worked out very well for him.
What to Do When Your Dog is “Meh” About Food?
Now it’s time to think outside the box. Pay attention to the things your dog likes and loves. Is it an ear rub he leans in for? Will he drop a ball at your feet and then bore a hole through your soul waiting for you to throw it? Does he shove the rope toy into your hand in the hopes that you’ll play tug of war with him? At the mention of a walk, does he do a happy dance?
Empowering Our Pets with Choices
The key to quality R+ training is to empower our dogs to decide what is most reinforcing in that moment and honor that. Whether it’s food, fetch, belly rubs, sniffing the bushes, marking the trees, digging in his dig-box, going for walks, or anything else he likes to do, let your dog guide you as to what he is happiest working for in that moment, and use it to your advantage.
Now that you know, R+ training does not need to be food and can be literally anything that your dog likes or loves. Don’t wait! Get out there and set your dog up for success so you can Mark and Reward and tell him “Yes! I love that choice! Please do that some more!”
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