If you lot are novel to dogs, or novel to domestic dog training, this article is for you. It covers technical definitions, the practicalities, reasons to purpose positive reinforcement too some mutual mistakes that people make.
At the end, at that spot are suggested resources inwards instance you lot desire to acquire more. Positive reinforcement preparation is fun, too lots of people acquire the preparation bug. Hopefully that volition include you lot too.
When people utter almost positive reinforcement domestic dog training, they sometimes refer to it equally positive domestic dog training, strength gratis domestic dog training, clicker training, fifty-fifty science-based domestic dog training. Some of these damage relate to a wider domestic dog preparation philosophy equally good equally a specific method, too those philosophical too ethical issues are important. But positive reinforcement is also a technical term amongst a specific definition.
We’ll acquire the technical Definition out of the way first.
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What is positive reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement is a rattling effective way to develop dogs (and other animals).
Positive reinforcement agency adding something directly subsequently a demeanor occurs that makes the frequency of the demeanor become up.
Technically speaking, the term breaks downwardly into 2 parts. Reinforcement agency the demeanor continues or goes upwards inwards frequency. (If the demeanor went downwardly instead, it’s non reinforcement).
And positive agency something is added.
For example, you lot inquire the domestic dog to sit, the domestic dog sits, too you lot give him a process (something is added). The domestic dog is to a greater extent than probable to sit down adjacent fourth dimension you lot inquire (the demeanor was reinforced).
What sort of wages is used inwards positive reinforcement?
For most domestic dog training, food is the best wages to use. That’s because all dogs similar food, too it’s efficient because you lot tin deliver it quickly.
Play is sometimes used equally a wages inwards domestic dog training. For example, a game of tug or fetch. You may fifty-fifty take away hold seen some working dogs or agility dogs last rewarded amongst a game of tug.
In practise nutrient plant best for most everyday domestic dog preparation situations. You tin deliver it much to a greater extent than speedily (think how long it takes to play a game of tug, compared to how long it takes your domestic dog to gobble a treat). That agency you lot tin do some other repetition correct away. Also, sometimes play volition arrive the way of what you lot are trying to teach.
Petting too praise are sometimes suggested equally rewards. But you lot take away hold to think almost it from the dog’s perspective – too yes, scientists take away hold idea almost it too. One study constitute dogs are non interested inwards praise. It has to last conditioned to hateful something. For example, if “good boy” is ever followed past times a treat, hence they volition acquire it predicts a treat; but otherwise, nada, it’s meaningless (read to a greater extent than on whether dogs prefer petting or praise).
Most dogs do similar petting, but the same scientists constitute that dogs prefer nutrient to petting equally a wages inwards domestic dog training. And inwards instance you’re wondering, at that spot are other studies that compared nutrient to petting equally a wages inwards a domestic dog preparation situation. They also constitute nutrient leads to amend results.
The efficiency number is relevant too: nutrient is quicker.
So nutrient is the best wages to purpose equally positive reinforcement.
What sort of nutrient rewards should I purpose amongst my dog?
There’s a huge diverseness of nutrient rewards, ranging from treats you lot tin purchase from the pet store to types of human nutrient that are suitable for dogs too treats that you lot create yourself.
Pick something your domestic dog really likes, because that agency it volition motivate them. Of course of pedagogy it needs to stand upwards for inside an overall balanced diet. You may also desire to vary the rewards, either exactly to render diverseness or to adjust the business you lot are training.
For example, if you lot are doing a lot of training, footling cubes of chicken mightiness last most appropriate because it’s a salubrious constituent of a dog’s diet. Or you lot could purpose treats that are tiny hence that you lot aren’t over-feeding (some come upwards inwards miniature size). At other times, pieces of cheese or deli meats mightiness last appropriate inwards suitable quantities. Use your rattling best rewards for teaching recall (i.e. to come upwards when called).
Types of nutrient you lot tin purpose inwards positive reinforcement preparation include: footling pieces of chicken; squares of roast beef; cubes of cheese (Cheddar, Parmesan, etc.); tiny dried fish; carrot; peanut butter treats; tuna fudge; tripe stick; rollover; Vienna Sausage; spam; Zuke’s minis or Fruitables minis; Rawbble
; domestic dog biscuits; diverse chews or jerky strips; freeze-dried salmon; dried herring; salami; pieces of ham; turkey; bits of meat balls…Did some of those items create your oral fissure water? That’s good, because that’s the final result you lot desire it to take away hold on your dog! Of course of pedagogy you lot don’t purpose a whole spell of ham all at once. Use something almost the size of a pea. Why non essay out several dissimilar nutrient rewards to abide by out which your domestic dog prefers?
As good equally bite-size pieces, you lot tin also deliver nutrient rewards via a subway scheme for the domestic dog to lick. You tin purchase some ready-made (e.g. leanlix
) or you lot tin create your ain using crush tubes (often constitute amongst camping ground supplies), a reusable nutrient pouch
or the TreatToob
.And although cats should non last fed domestic dog food, it’s fine to give your domestic dog truthful cat food, too that tin create a tasty wages too.
If purchasing treats, read the ingredients to cheque you lot are happy amongst them from a nutritional perspective, too become for something you lot think your domestic dog volition abide by tasty (duck, turkey, salmon, bacon, peanut butter, etc.).
Make certain it is rubber for dogs. If buying human nutrient for your dog, facial expression out for onion (in some meat too other products) too xylitol (e.g. inwards some brands of peanut butter), neither of which is rubber for dogs.
If you lot prefer to create your ain treats, hither is a recipe for tuna fudge. You tin substitute dissimilar ingredients, e.g. swap tuna for canned salmon or sardines.
And if you lot desire to know what I use, I made a listing of the best domestic dog preparation treats.
How tin I purpose positive reinforcement if my domestic dog is on a special diet?
If your domestic dog is on a special diet, you lot tin nevertheless purpose nutrient rewards. One like shooting fish in a barrel alternative is to purpose the canned version of whatever special kibble you lot unremarkably feed. (If delivering it on a spoon, exactly last careful your domestic dog doesn’t swallow the spoon; they may demand some practise at licking it, or you lot mightiness prefer to purpose a nutrient tube).
Another alternative could last something that is an ingredient inwards the special diet (whether that’s chicken or fish or whatever). You mightiness also last able to tailor the tuna fudge recipe amongst ingredients that are correct for your dog.
What do professional person domestic dog trainers purpose equally rewards?
I asked Kristi Benson CTC what type of wages she uses when preparation dogs. Kristi is a domestic dog trainer inwards Manitoba, Canada, too a staff fellow member at the Academy for Dog Trainers.
She said, “I similar to purpose food, too types of nutrient that I similar to purpose are things that are choppable into modest pieces too that tin become downwardly the hatch really quickly, hence the dogs tin swallow them speedily hence that I tin recycle too do some other case really quickly.
"I also similar using materials that dogs really like, hence materials that’s a footling flake grouty, a footling flake stinky, similar smoked fish sort of stuff. Sometimes I purpose cheese. I do purchase rollover sometimes, I know that’s sort of the junk food, it’s a footling flake junk foody. But hence I nation to myself well, you lot know I acquire junk nutrient occasionally too, hence if I’m non preparation a domestic dog that often… And it’s rattling easy, too you lot know it’s supposed to last a consummate repast which seems reasonable.
"And I also purpose some recipes that are floating around the domestic dog preparation community, too they’re similar tuna fudge, liver brownies. And hence I take away hold some other recipe that I similar which is made out of eggs, because nosotros acquire a lot of eggs hither on the farm so, if nosotros take away hold an extra dozen eggs it’s overnice to create an egg dish. And those are baked into squares, too you lot tin cutting those up.” (Kristi has published the process recipes on her website).
And for recall: “I become mass amongst recall when I’m preparation my dogs, exactly because it’s easier. But I recommend to my clients things similar tinned tripe inwards a tube, to really ratchet upwards the palatability factor, along amongst amount. So give them quite a flake too give them something that’s really delicious.”
What is non positive reinforcement
Sometimes people create the fault of calling the minute when something unpleasant stops positive reinforcement. It’s not.
For example, some daze neckband trainers pretend that when the electrical daze stops, it is rewarding for the dog. It is not.
Relief is non the same equally a reward.
Remember too: positive reinforcement agency something has been added. Stopping something is the contrary of adding something.
It’s worth existence warning to this because at that spot are many weasel words used inwards domestic dog training and there’s a lot of erroneous dog preparation data on the internet.
Because at that spot is no rule of domestic dog trainers, this is unfortunately something domestic dog owners demand to last aware of.
But my domestic dog is non food-motivated!
This is something I take away heed from fourth dimension to time. If it is really the instance that your domestic dog is non interested inwards nutrient hence you lot demand to take away hold him to run across a vet. If your domestic dog is non eating at that spot may last an underlying medical work that needs urgent investigation.
More frequently when people nation this it turns out the nutrient they are using is non especially motivating. For example, they prefer to purpose kibble, but this is non exciting plenty to motivate their dog.
It’s a mutual fault for people to create when they are novel to domestic dog training. If this applies to you, cheque the listing inwards a higher identify to abide by some other nutrient item to try. And hence a dissimilar item too. You tin audition a few to run across which are your dog’s favourites – too recollect that diverseness tin aid equally well.
Sometimes people are reluctant to purpose nutrient inwards domestic dog training, too that’s why they are using kibble. But you lot take away hold to feed your dog, hence you lot mightiness equally good create some of it tasty nutrient to purpose inwards training.
Some people are worried it mightiness send upon their human relationship amongst their domestic dog – possibly they fright their domestic dog doesn’t really honey them if he wants to operate for food. But your domestic dog tin honey you lot too nutrient (there’s fifty-fifty an fMRI study to present it).
And when you lot run across that happy, expectant facial expression on your dog’s human face upwards when they are almost to have a cookie, doesn’t it create total you lot amongst a lovely warm mushy feeling?
Why purpose positive reinforcement inwards domestic dog training?
Not everyone uses positive reinforcement to develop their dog. Some people purpose positive punishment or negative reinforcement instead. Research shows that this is non the best choice.
Many studies abide by that people who purpose reward-based preparation methods written report their dogs equally existence to a greater extent than obedient than those who purpose aversive techniques. Using positive reinforcement is amend for the human-canine bond too amend for brute welfare than using negative reinforcement. Also, a past times history of using positive reinforcement inwards domestic dog preparation is linked to amend success at teaching a novel behaviour. (If you lot desire to read the inquiry for yourself, run across my listing of dog preparation inquiry resources).
In contrast, the use of penalization has been associated amongst an aggressive response from some dogs and the purpose of aversive techniques is a peril cistron for aggression towards both household unit of measurement members too strangers exterior the home.
Although these studies are correlational too do non bear witness causation, at that spot are several things that mightiness explicate it. One is that positive reinforcement teaches your domestic dog what to do, instead of exactly punishing them for a demeanor (which doesn’t learn them a novel demeanor to do instead).
Another is that dogs may abide by penalization stressful, too if they associate the possessor equally the campaign of the punishment, it may send upon the human relationship amongst their owner.
There’s some other argue to purpose positive reinforcement: dogs similar to operate to earn rewards (dubbed the ‘Eureka! effect’). And scientists at nowadays recommend that good brute welfare includes positive experiences.
So using positive reinforcement inwards domestic dog preparation is proficient for your dog. For to a greater extent than information, run across my article seven reasons to purpose reward-based domestic dog preparation methods.
Why is positive reinforcement non working?
If you’re thinking, “But I tried positive reinforcement too it didn’t work!” at that spot are several possible reasons.
Perhaps the most mutual is non using the correct wages to motivate the dog. Go dorsum to the listing of suggested nutrient rewards too abide by something tastier to try.
But at that spot are several other possible reasons too. Here are a few of them.
Maybe you lot aren’t using a conception but are making it upwards equally you lot become along. You’ll acquire amend results if you lot follow a plan. (If you lot desire to acquire more, run across Jean Donaldson’s Train Your Dog Like a Pro
which includes sample plans for obedience behaviours).Maybe you lot aren’t delivering the nutrient rewards fast enough. For example, you lot inquire your domestic dog to prevarication down, but past times the fourth dimension you lot are laid to give them the reward, they take away hold already jumped upwards too moved around hence inwards fact you lot rewarded the incorrect behaviour. You demand to take away hold the rewards laid to last delivered quickly.
Maybe because you lot know you lot take away hold to deliver the rewards quickly, you lot are really moving your manus to your bait pocketbook or crinkling your baggie earlier the domestic dog has done the demeanor you lot asked for. That’s rattling confusing. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 hint you lot mightiness last doing this is if your domestic dog is busy watching your process hand!
Or possibly you’re exactly making it besides hard for the dog. It’s rattling mutual to think the domestic dog has learned the demeanor when they exactly practised it 1 time or twice. It’s similar if you lot were learning to waltz; moving your feet the correct way a few times isn’t plenty to last able to waltz; it takes to a greater extent than practice. Your domestic dog needs lots of practise too.
And speaking of practise, you lot also take away hold to construct upwards the distractions rattling slowly. Just because your domestic dog knows how to sit down inwards the kitchen when nil else is happening, doesn’t hateful he tin nevertheless sit down at the commons when other dogs are running around, a nestling is approaching too a skunk exactly popped out from behind a tree. That’s a precipitous saltation inwards difficulty!
These are all things you lot tin operate on, but domestic dog preparation is a skilled activity too at that spot is nil to last ashamed of if you lot are struggling. You may demand to inquire for aid from a qualified domestic dog trainer or take away hold your domestic dog to a class. Because domestic dog preparation is non regulated, create certain you lot read my article on how to select a domestic dog trainer start too pick mortal who is suitably qualified.
See below for some suggestions for farther reading if you lot desire to operate on your preparation technique.
But the trainer says it won’t operate for my dog?!
Some domestic dog trainers volition nation ‘positive reinforcement isn’t working’ or ‘it won’t operate for this dog’ equally an essay to justify using a daze collar.
First of all, recollect that domestic dog preparation isn’t regulated. Look through the listing inwards a higher identify of some of the technical things domestic dog trainers demand to learn. Unfortunately it’s possible that some people are making mistakes themselves too blaming it on the dog.
Secondly, it’s of import to know at that spot are risks to the purpose of a daze collar. One experimental study inwards the United Kingdom of Great Britain too Northern Ireland of Britain too Northern Republic of Ireland concluded that shock collars do non operate whatever amend than positive reinforcement for teaching dogs to come upwards when called inwards the presence of livestock. They also constitute negative effects on welfare for some dogs.
Look subsequently your dog, too don’t allow a domestic dog trainer purpose methods you lot aren’t happy with.
(See to a greater extent than resources on daze collars).
Do I take away hold to purpose a clicker?
It’s upwards to you.
Clickers are used to score the minute the domestic dog is doing the correct behaviour. It’s rattling quick, hence it buys you lot fourth dimension to acquire the process out too give it to your dog.
Some people absolutely honey using a clicker. They also think it helps improve their technique (perhaps because they are paying unopen attending to when to click, too non to movement earlier then).
Some people really don’t similar the clicker. They abide by it clunky too awkward or besides complicated. Luckily for them, at that spot is a study that constitute using a clicker versus a verbal marking or no marker at all (just nutrient rewards) didn’t create much departure to preparation success.
Another study compared the purpose of a clicker (and food) versus nutrient alone inwards a half dozen calendar week play a trick on preparation course of pedagogy for novice dogs. People inwards both groups said the preparation was fun, too at that spot were no specific advantages or disadvantages to using the clicker. Of course, it may last dissimilar if used over a longer menstruation of fourth dimension (e.g. at contest level). This is something nosotros demand to a greater extent than inquiry on.
For behaviours that are brief too fleeting, a marking (your vocalisation or a clicker) volition really help. But for many of the behaviours nosotros teach, similar sit down too prevarication downwardly too come upwards when nosotros call, nosotros don’t demand such precise timing.
The most of import matter is to purpose nutrient rewards to develop your dog. If you lot essay the clicker too similar it, that’s great, too lots of people do. But if you lot don’t similar it, don’t worry almost it. Just maintain using food.
Will I ever take away hold to purpose positive reinforcement?
This is a mutual inquiry too it’s easily answered amongst some other question: Will you lot desire your domestic dog to maintain doing the behaviour? If so, you’ll desire to maintain rewarding it.
Now, you lot mightiness non ever wages every unmarried time. Using an intermittent reinforcement schedule (in which the demeanor is alone rewarded sometimes) tin aid construct upwards resistance to extinction (that’s when the demeanor stops). That’s useful, because inwards existent life at that spot mightiness last an occasion when you lot forgot to pose some domestic dog treats inwards your pocket.
But it’s a rattling mutual fault to halt rewarding a demeanor altogether. The goal final result is that the domestic dog stops doing it, too people nation “I tried it, too it didn’t work.” Actually, the technical term is extinction: you lot extinguished the demeanor because you lot stopped rewarding it.
Another rattling mutual fault is to non wages a demeanor frequently enough.
Remember that dogs similar to operate for food, too you lot take away hold to feed your domestic dog anyway. Training for nutrient rewards is a proficient way to exercise your dog’s encephalon too render enrichment. Instead of trying to stop, it's best to maintain thinking of novel things to learn your dog.
For the people preparation their cats…
You tin purpose positive reinforcement amongst whatever species, too that includes cats. Remember that because cats are small, they alone demand modest rewards. Check out my interview amongst Dr. Sarah Ellis almost her mass The Trainable Cat to acquire more.
Final words too farther reading on positive reinforcement
If you lot would similar to remain up-to-date amongst the latest intelligence almost the scientific discipline of people too their pets, subscribe to . And if at that spot are topics you lot would similar to read almost inwards future, delight allow me know (subscribers tin exactly striking the reply button).
What type of nutrient wages does your domestic dog similar best?
is opened upwards to everyone too supported past times brute lovers similar you. If you lot similar what you lot see, maybe buy me a java on Ko-fi?
Further reading
Excel-Erated Learning: Explaining inwards Plain English linguistic communication How Dogs Learn too How Best to Teach Them
past times Pamela Reid.interview amongst Jean Donaldson to score twenty years since the start publication of this influential book).
Train Your Dog Like a Pro
past times Jean Donaldson.The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs
past times Patricia McConnell.The Power of Positive Dog Training
past times Pat Miller.Don't Shoot the Dog: The New Art of Teaching too Training
past times Karen Pryor.If you lot desire to know to a greater extent than almost whatever of the studies mentioned inwards this article, click the link too you lot volition last taken to a page amongst a summary, the total reference, too a link to the academic paper.
For a to a greater extent than consummate list, cheque out my dog preparation scientific discipline resources page which lists scientific papers almost domestic dog preparation too places where you lot tin read almost them for free, on this weblog too elsewhere. Or bring together over 2,500 brute lovers too subscribe to .
Zazie Todd, PhD, is the writer of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy
. She is the founder of the pop weblog , where she writes almost everything from preparation methods to the human-canine relationship. She also writes a column for Psychology Today too has received the prestigious Captain Haggerty Award for Best Training Article inwards 2017. Todd lives inwards Maple Ridge, BC, amongst her husband, 1 dog, too 2 cats.Useful links:
- Check out what the Animal Book Club is reading this month
- Get merch
- Support me on Ko-fi
- Visit my Amazon store
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