Abc's Of Positive Training. Miriam Fields-Babineau

       MOTIVATION

      A desire to perform or behave in a specific manner.

       NEGATIVE PUNISHMENT

      A stimulus or reward is taken away from the dog to extinguish a behavior. Examples: You turn away when a dog jumps on you, not giving him the satisfaction of getting any reaction out of you.

       NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT

      An aversive stimulus is removed to encourage a behavior. Example: The pressure of the head halter on the nose is removed when the dog pays attention.

       OPERANT CONDITIONING

      A signal (stimulus) is associated with a reward, thus eliciting a learned response.

       PRAISE

      Words of reward spoken to the dog in a high-pitched, enthusiastic tone of voice.

       POSITIVE PUNISHMENT

      Something is added to punish the dog. Examples: A yank on a neck collar. Spraying the dog in the face with water.

       POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

      Something is added to reward the dog. Examples: Praise, treats, toys.

       POSITIVE RESPONSE

      Your dog behaves in the correct manner.

       PREY DRIVE

      The drive to go after something that will offer either food, shelter or territory. Dogs are predators and all have this drive. Example: A dog chasing squirrels.

       PRIMARY PUNISHERS

      A training device. Examples: Choke chain, prong collar, e-collar.

       PRIMARY REINFORCER

      A reward that the receiver doesn’t have to learn to like.

       PROGRESSING

      Moving forward with training new behaviors.

       PRONG COLLAR

      A metal linked collar with prongs turned toward the inside, made to be worn against the dog’s neck. When tugged upon, the prongs come together in a pinching action, catching the dog’s skin between them. Yes, it’s painful. However, when used properly, it can be an effective training device for dogs that won’t respond to gentler methods. However, these dogs are few and far between, as most dogs will respond to positive training in some manner.

       PUNISHMENT

      The use or removal of a stimulus to decrease the occurrence of a behavior.

       RANDOM INTERVAL

      A varied amount of time between actions.

       REDIRECTING

      Taking the dog’s attention away from an improper behavior and turning him toward a proper, or approved, behavior.

       REINFORCER

      Anything that contributes to the dog’s accomplishments.

       REGRESSING

      Going back a step or two to where the dog was showing successful responses. This happens when progress has stopped; regressing is done in order to maintain a positive attitude.

       RELIABILITY

      A behavior that is sound and consistent in any situation.

       REWARD

      Anything the dog likes. Examples: Food, toys, exercise.

       RECALL

      The dog’s coming to you on command.

       RESPONSE

      Reaction to a stimulus.

       SCHEDULES OF REINFORCEMENT

      The intervals at which a reward will be given, including fixed interval, variable interval, fixed ratio and variable ratio.

       SECONDARY PUNISHER

      A correction that is first given concurrently with the primary punisher. Example: The word “No” said in a low, growling tone of voice. The dog will learn to avoid the primary punisher, thus correcting himself upon hearing the secondary punisher.

       SECONDARY NEGATIVE PUNISHER

      Denying the dog any reaction or reward. This causes the dog to keep throwing out (performing) behaviors, as he hasn’t received a reward or punishment of any kind.

       SECONDARY REINFORCER

      These are actions that the receiver has to learn to like. Examples: The words “Good” or “Yes.”

       SELF-REWARDING BEHAVIOR

      Anything that gives the dog pleasure without your involvement. Examples: Counter surfing, garbage hunting, jumping up, racing through a door.

       SHAPING

      Building a desired behavior through breaking it down into smaller portions, accomplishing those portions and then bringing them together for the complete desired behavior.

       SKINNER BOX

      An operant conditioning tool that teaches a small animal (rat, pigeon, chicken) how to obtain a treat by eliciting a specific response. The box is usually made of metal with a food hopper, along with a lighted button or lever that will trigger the food to fall into the hopper when pressed.

       STIMULI

      Something that triggers a reaction. It can be a target, a lure, a toy or a verbal or visual cue.

       SUBMISSIVE

      Referring to a dog that wishes only to be part of the pack and not run the pack. He easily submits to a challenge. A submissive dog tries to make himself look small. He will crouch or lie down, show his tummy, tuck his tail between his legs and blink or look away. Some dogs will submissively urinate.

       SUCCESSIVE APPROXIMATION

      Gradual increase of criteria.

       TARGETING

      The dog’s constantly watching an object or going to it on command.

       TERRITORIAL

      In charge of a specific space or object.

       THROWING OUT A BEHAVIOR

      Performing a behavior. A dog that has learned how to elicit rewards will try doing different behaviors to obtain a reward. Example: He sits and doesn’t get a reward, he then lies down