Dog Training theory
Modern reinforcement training is based on behavioral science. Scientifically speaking, reinforcement is an event that
(a) occurs during or upon completion of a behavior;
and
(b) increases the likelihood of that behavior occurring in the future.
The key elements here are two: the two events are connected in real time-the behavior engenders the reinforcement-and then the behavior occurs more frequently.
Reinforcers may be positive, something the dog wants more of, like a pet, praise or a treat.
Reinforcers may be negative, something the dog wants to avoid, such as a correction or even a growl.
Wether it is a positive or a negative reinforcer it has to occur the exact moment of the behavior we want to either enforce or discourage to have maximum effectiveness.
If you learn nothing else from this writing learn this: Dog training is a two-way communication between you the trainer and the dog. Dog training is not something you do to the dog it is something you do with your dog. The dog listens to you and you listen to the dog, do not misunderstand me you are the boss.
You must learn what avoidance is. Likewise you must learn what your dog likes. You must learn how to manipulate your dog while communicating with it. Reinforcers are relative, not absolute, in other words one thing will not work for every dog. The same thing will not work for the same dog all the time. Example a hungry dog will work real hard for treats, the same dog right after it eats is not interested in treats and therefore will not work as hard for the treats. A dog that has been in it’s kennel over night may work real hard for praise, but a dog that lives and sleeps in a house where petting and praise or constantly lavished on it may not.
A positive reinforcer is anything that, occurring in conjunction with an act, tends to increase the probability that the act will occur again.
A negative reinforcer is anything the dog wants to avoid. When used in conjunction with an act the dog is less likely to repeat that act.
A negative reinforcer is not technically a punishment. It is a way of communicating with your dog. Example, if you do something I do not like, I will do something to you, you do not like while you are attempting to do what I do not want you to do. A punishment all to often occurs after the fact. Remember a reinforcer has to occur at the moment of the event either negative or positive.
The timing of the arrival of the reinforcer is information, it is communication between handler and dog. If timed exactly right, it tells the dog exactly what it is you like and dislike.
This brings us to the next topic. You cannot stop a dog in the middle of a weight pull and feed it treats, you cannot take it off the sleeve to give it treats and put it back on. You would then be reinforcing the stop or the out and not the pull or the bite. So how do we get beyond this?
Charging the secondary reinforcers. We charge the reinforcers, this is also called conditioning the reinforcer. This is similar to clicker training but my way is much easier. Charge the words "good boy" or "good girl". How do you charge them? Simple start as a puppy give the dog a treat and say "good boy" or I prefer to say the dogs name E.G. "Good Bruno" do this often. Say the phrase as soon as the treat is in the dogs mouth. While dog is enjoying the treat, pet it and repeat phrase. This way the dog is learning 1) It’s name 2) That "good Bruno" is a good thing. This is very basic Pavlovian conditioning, blended with 2006 psychology.
You charge the negative reinforcers during training. When you give a correction you can say "no", "AANGH" or even growl at the dog at the same time you give the correction. The dog learns really quick that whichever sound you use for a negative reinforcer brings unpleasant consequences. The phrases then become secondary reinforcers or conditioned reinforcers. The treat or the correction was the original reinforcer. Through conditioning though, now the phrase is so associated with the original reinforcer the dog now will work for the secondary as much as the primary, if this is all done right. It is actually a lot simpler then it seems.
Through combining these methods dog training becomes very simple.
Once you have established a conditioned reinforcer you must be careful not to use it meaninglessly. Reserve it for when it is needed and do not forget to continue to "Charge" your reinforcer. Positive ones with praise, treats and negative ones with corrections as needed.