First of all, what is a reinforcer ?
A reinforcer is an element you give to your dog, your child, your employee, your friend so that he or she reproduces the behavior you likes. Receiving that consequence for their behavior motivates them to do it again.
Why am I aiming for “positive” reinforcers in this article?
Because on principle I like adding something pleasant, especially as the relationship is better because I find that adding something pleasant makes me by association a pleasant being.
My clients know this from the number of times I use this example: I loooove chocolate!
But there is chocolate and chocolate... So how could its use reinforce one of my behaviors and motivate me to reproduce it?
If there is animal milk in it, it is aversive to me. This will therefore not motivate me to reproduce my behavior.
If you offer it to me while I'm feeling nauseous, I'm going to face a motivational conflict. Yeah ! I love chocolate, but eating it then isn't really going to make me feel good. If in addition it worsens my condition, it becomes aversive and will not motivate me to reproduce my behavior.
Do you offer me small ones while I think I made a big effort ? I'll believe in a scam, take it (well, maybe) because I love it, but find no point in reproducing my behavior.
Do you offer me small ones when I think I made a small effort ? It seems proportionate to me; I will therefore make an effort to reproduce my behavior.
Do you offer me big ones when I think I made a big effort ? It seems proportionate to me; I will therefore make an effort to reproduce my behavior.
Do you offer me big ones when I think I made a small effort? This is the jackpot for me! But then why would I put more effort in the future, especially if you don't increase the size of the chocolates?
Obviously, I assume that regardless of their size they taste really good. Because if they are yuck, it will automatically be aversive and in addition to not reproducing my behavior I may not like you very much anymore.
I'm also assuming you don't force it into my mouth. Because even if it's proportionate in quantity and quality, the way you give it to me won't make me like it (and nor you!).
I also assume that you do not give it to me three days after my effort, because then I will appreciate it but will not make any connection with my effort because the feeling will have decreased and it is possible that I will have coped with frustration and/or a lack of motivation with no feedback from you in the face of my effort.
You understand it, the chocolate by itself is not enough to motivate me to reproduce a behavior.
And when no chocolate is available or is likely to be aversive...? Many other elements can reinforce my behaviors and motivate me to reproduce them: massages, playing with confident puppies, drinking herbal tea near a fireplace, walking in a canyon, compliments...
How is it related with dogs?
They work exactly the same!
When you use a treat, how big is it? What taste value? Does your dog receive it in proportion to his/her effort? Is he/she able to accept them fully (without conflict of motivation, without health problem, without feeling of force-feeding…)?
What if you don't use treats, what is available to you? So many things !
Your dog will be the right one to give you the list. What does he/she like? What motivates him/her to reproduce a behavior and what is pleasing to him/her?
In general, depending on the individual, you can find: playing with friends, chasing a bird, being scratched at the base of its tail, playing tug, rolling in leaves or dung, swimming, learning a trick with you, picking up the path to follow in a walk, being warmed up with a hairdryer… The list is limited to your dog's appreciations and your imagination.
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