Reminder of the definitions
🔷 Reinforcement
The action of bringing about a consequence following a dog's behavior, which increases the probability of the behavior occurring.
Example : I call my dog > he comes to me > I let him go swim.
I see he comes back to me more easily when I call him = thus letting him go swim is a reinforcer.
🔷 Punishment
The action of bringing about a consequence following a dog's behavior, which decreases the probability of the behavior occurring.
Example : I invite my dog to play > he jumps on me > I stop playing.
I see he jumps on me less and less when we are playing = thus stopping playing is punishing for the behavior of jumping when we play.
⚠️ It is important keep it in mind that the individual, the dog 🐶, does determine what reinforces or punishes his behaviors, what motivates him/her to reiterate or cease them.
The contexts when reinforcing or punishing
How reinforcers and punishments are delivered, in what context, in what environment will influence how effective they can be.
For examples :
✧ When I used to give a Jack Russell a treat as a result of his behavior, he was as likely to take it as to ignore it. Presenting it that way might then show no value to him. On the other hand, if I sent it so that he goes and chases it, it gained value and then systematically became a reinforcer.
✧ If I call a dog to come back after a long walk, who is physically tired, and suggest that he go swimming as a consequence, he may do so, but he may also have no motivation to make the effort to swim (which would then become aversive). If I tend to present this to him at this time regularly, my recall may not be established because I am presenting him with a consequence that demotivates him, that is punitive for his behavior.
✧ If I stop playing when my dog jumps on me, with the idea that this will make him stop this behavior, and he continues, it is because his motivation did not lie in the game. The jump has another function, another goal. By figuring it out, I can know how to react if I want him not to repeat this behavior when playing.
Personally, I have hyperacusis; which means that I have a low threshold for tolerance to loudness.
If, as a result of a behavior you want me to reproduce, you play music that I like, but at a volume that is unbearable for me, you will then have generated an unconditional punishment. And in addition, you risk making me associate the music that I like with an unpleasant physiological reaction, and consequently, modify my perception of this music.
If your dog continues a behavior that you thought you "punished," then you did not punish him, no matter what you did.
If your dog stops a behavior that you thought you encouraged, then you did not reinforce it, no matter what you did.
The questions to reinforce the behaviors of your dog
➤ what motivates my dog ?
By listing what motivates him, you will have a whole range adaptable to your availability.
➤ in what context is he/she more keen on this or that ?
A greedy dog may be full at times; a sporty dog may be tired at times, etc.
➤ what is he/she doing that or this behavior for ?
I sometimes use crossing as a reinforcer for a dog who has learned to show me the other side of the street rather than crossing on his/her own.
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