If you are not experienced with dogs or dog training, this article about positive reinforcement is perfect for you. It includes explanations of technical terms, practical information, the benefits of using positive reinforcement, and typical mistakes made by people.
Positive reinforcement training is enjoyable and many individuals develop a keen interest in it. It is hoped that you will also be among those who become intrigued by this type of training. In case you are interested in learning more, there are suggested resources available.
Positive reinforcement dog training is often referred to as positive dog training, force free dog training, clicker training, or even science-based dog training. These terms not only describe a particular method but also encompass a broader philosophy of dog training. It is crucial to consider the philosophical and ethical aspects associated with these terms. However, positive reinforcement is also a technical term that has a precise definition.
First, let’s start with the technical definition.
What is positive reinforcement?
Training dogs (and other animals) can be effectively done through the use of positive reinforcement.
Positive reinforcement involves the immediate addition of something that causes an increase in the frequency of a behavior.
From a technical standpoint, the term can be divided into two components. When we say reinforcement, we are referring to a situation where the behavior either persists or increases in occurrence. If the behavior decreases instead, it cannot be classified as reinforcement.
When thinking in a step-by-step manner, make sure to rephrase the following text without changing the meaning or omitting any information. All you can do is add something positive. When approaching a task logically, it is important to rephrase the given text without altering its meaning or excluding any information. However, you are allowed to introduce additional content.
If you ask the dog to sit, and he sits, then you reward him with a treat, it increases the chances that the dog will sit the next time you ask.
What kind of reward is used in positive reinforcement?
When it comes to most dog training, food proves to be the most effective reward due to its universal appeal to all dogs and its efficiency in quick delivery.
Play is occasionally utilized as a form of reward during dog training, as exemplified by engaging in activities like tug of war or fetching. It is also common to observe working dogs or agility dogs being rewarded with a game involving tug of war.
Food is the most effective choice for most daily dog training situations. It can be delivered promptly, unlike playing a game of tug, which takes longer compared to how quickly a dog can eat a treat. This allows for immediate repetition of the training. Additionally, play can sometimes hinder the learning process by interfering with what you are attempting to teach.
Sometimes, petting and praise are recommended as rewards. However, it is essential to consider the dog’s perspective, a perspective that scientists have also contemplated. In one study, it was discovered that dogs do not find praise interesting unless it is conditioned to have significance. To illustrate, if the phrase “good boy” consistently precedes a treat, dogs will comprehend that it indicates a treat. Otherwise, without this conditioning, praise holds no significance to them (for further information, explore the topic of whether dogs favor petting or praise).
While the majority of dogs enjoy being petted, according to the same scientists, dogs demonstrate a preference for food over petting when it comes to rewards in dog training. It is worth noting that other studies have been conducted to compare the effectiveness of food and petting as rewards in dog training, and these studies also confirmed that food yields superior outcomes.
Taking into consideration the aspect of efficiency, it is worth noting that food proves to be a faster option. Consequently, food emerges as the most optimal form of reward to employ for positive reinforcement.
What kind of food rewards should I use with my dog?
There is a wide range of food rewards available, including store-bought treats for pets, dog-friendly human food options, and homemade treats.
When choosing a reward for your dog, it is important to select something that your dog truly enjoys, as it will serve as a strong motivator for them. However, it is essential to ensure that the chosen reward aligns with a well-balanced diet. Additionally, you might find it beneficial to diversify the rewards, either to add variety or to match the specific task you are training.
If you are engaging in frequent training sessions with your dog, it would be beneficial to opt for small chicken cubes as they are a nourishing element of their diet. Alternatively, you could consider using tiny treats to prevent overfeeding, as there are some available in miniature sizes. On certain occasions, it may be appropriate to offer suitable portions of cheese or deli meats. Reserve your most enticing rewards for teaching your dog to come when called.
Some examples of food that can be used in positive reinforcement training are small portions of chicken, roasted beef cut into squares, cheese cubes like Cheddar or Parmesan, tiny dried fish, carrots, treats made of peanut butter, tuna fudge, tripe sticks, rollover, Vienna Sausage, spam, Zuke’s Minis or Fruitables Skinny Minis, Rawbble, dog biscuits, assorted chewies or jerky strips, freeze-dried salmon, dried herring, salami, portions of ham, turkey, and meatball pieces.
Did any of those items cause you to salivate? That’s beneficial because that’s the reaction you desire from your dog! Naturally, you don’t administer an entire slice of ham in one go. Employ something approximately the size of a pea. Why not experiment with various food incentives to determine your dog’s preference?
In addition to offering small portions, you can also give food rewards to your dog by using a tube for them to lick. You have the option to purchase pre-made products like leanlix or opt to create your own using squeeze tubes commonly found with camping supplies, a reusable food pouch, or the TreatToob.
It’s perfectly fine to reward your dog with cat food, despite the fact that cats should not be given dog food.
When buying treats, make sure to read the ingredients to ensure they meet your standards from a nutritional point of view, and choose something that you believe your dog will enjoy in terms of taste, such as duck, turkey, salmon, bacon, peanut butter, etc.
When purchasing food for your dog, ensure that it is safe for them. If you are buying human food for your dog, be cautious of the presence of onion, found in certain meat and other products, and xylitol, which can be found in select brands of peanut butter. Both onion and xylitol are damaging to dogs and should be avoided.
Without adding or removing any information, substitute different ingredients, such as replacing tuna with canned salmon or sardines, while thinking in a step-by-step manner to rephrase the given text but maintain its meaning.
How can I use positive reinforcement if my dog is on a special diet?
If your dog follows a special diet, you can still utilize food rewards by using the canned alternative of their usual special kibble. Be cautious if delivering it on a spoon to ensure your dog doesn’t accidentally consume the spoon; they might require practice in licking it or you may opt to use a food tube.
An alternative could be an ingredient included in the specific diet, whether it be chicken or fish or any other suitable option. It is also possible to customize the tuna fudge recipe by incorporating ingredients suitable for your dog.
What is not positive reinforcement
The moment when something unpleasant stops is sometimes mistakenly referred to as positive reinforcement, but it is not.
There are shock collar trainers who falsely claim that when the electric shock ceases, it is a form of reward for the dog. This, however, is not true.
Relief and a reward are not equivalent.
Be sure to rephrase the text provided, while keeping the same meaning, without adding new information or removing any information. Additionally, keep in mind that positive reinforcement entails the addition of something, whereas stopping something involves the opposite of adding something.
It is important to be attentive to this matter due to the prevalence of weasel words and inaccurate dog training information available on the internet.
This is something dog owners unfortunately need to be aware of due to the absence of regulation of dog trainers.
But my dog is not food-motivated!
This is a statement I occasionally come across. If it is indeed true that your dog lacks interest in food, it is necessary to bring him to a veterinarian. If your dog refuses to eat, there may be a pressing medical issue that requires immediate attention.
It is a common occurrence that when individuals make this statement, it often means that the food they are utilizing is not sufficiently motivating. An instance of this is when individuals favor employing kibble, but this does not provide enough excitement to motivate their canine companion.
If you are new to dog training, it is common to make this mistake. If this is the case for you, refer to the list provided above in order to find an alternative food item. Additionally, try out another item as well. You can test out a few options to determine which ones your dog prefers, and keep in mind that offering a variety of options can also be beneficial.
People may be hesitant to use food for dog training, leading them to instead opt for kibble. However, since you need to feed your dog anyway, it would be practical to incorporate some delectable food into your training regimen.
There are concerns among some individuals that it could impact their bond with their dog, possibly because they worry that their dog may not genuinely love them if he desires to work for food. However, it is possible for your dog to have affection for both you and food (a scientific study utilizing fMRI even supports this notion).
When you observe that joyful, hopeful expression on your dog’s face right before they are about to be given a treat, doesn’t it fill you with a delightful and affectionate sentiment?
The Do’s And Don’ts Of Positive Reinforcement
Using positive reinforcement can be an effective method of training dogs, although it is not a straightforward process of simply praising every action your furry friend takes.
In order to achieve the highest level of success with positive reinforcement training, it is crucial to adhere to a set of important guidelines and avoid certain behaviors.
Do…
Immediately Praise and Reward Desired Behavior
Your immediate response should be given to dogs since they live in the present moment. This response should consist of both treats and affection, and should be provided whenever your dog performs a desired action.
When house training a dog, reward him with a treat every time he eliminates outside. If you are training him on commands, give him a pet whenever he follows your instructions.
Keep it Short and Fun
To make your dog understand that good things happen when she follows your commands, it is important to keep the training sessions brief, enjoyable, and filled with positivity. It is ideal for the training to conclude with a positive outcome.
Wean From Treats
Using treats initially to achieve the desired behavior is acceptable; however, gradually reduce reliance on treats while still providing praise and affection. Eventually, your dog will no longer require treats and will aim to please you solely. Thus, you become the rewarding factor.
By following a systematic process, it is possible to train your dog to link a specific sound such as “Tsch!” or a clicker with the reward of a treat. Even without the presence of the treat, your dog will continue to react to the sound.
Don’t…
Make Things Complicated
To ensure your dog plays fetch, avoid saying “fetch the ball” and opt for “fetch” instead. Instantly reward your dog when they follow the command. If you make your commands or teaching complicated, your dog will not comprehend. Keep your instructions straightforward and precise.
Show Inconsistency
If you reward your dog for not getting on the couch but later allow her to come up and show affection, it will confuse her regarding your expectations. It is also important for everyone in your household to follow the same rules, or else your dog will become exhausted trying to understand how to behave with each person.
Stop Correcting Your Dog
Many pet parents make the big mistake of assuming that they cannot refuse their dogs when using positive reinforcement, which is completely false. It is essential to understand that correcting undesirable behavior is still necessary and should be done when needed.
It is important to separate “correction time” and “positive reinforcement” time in order to maintain a balance, similar to raising a child.
