This document discusses reward-based and punishment-based dog training methods. It explains the four types of consequences in operant conditioning: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative punishment. While modern trainers prefer reward-based, positive training methods, all methods can be effective depending on the dog, situation, and handler. Rewards should be things the dog finds rewarding like treats, toys, or attention. Punishment should only be used carefully if a dog is willfully disobeying and understands what is being asked. Prevention and avoidance of situations that could lead to punishment is also important in training.

2. Dog Training part IV - Reward
and punishment

3. Mosttrainingrevolvesaroundgivingthedogconsequencesforhisbehaviour,
inthehope of influencing the behaviour the dog will exhibit in the future.
Operantconditioningdefinesfourtypesofconsequences:

4. Positivereinforcementaddssomethingtothesituationtoincreasethechance
ofthebehaviourbeingexhibitedagain(forexample,givingadogatreatwhen
hesits.)

5. Negativereinforcementremovessomethingfromthesituationtoincreasethe
chanceof the behaviour being exhibited again (for example, releasing the
tension on anuncomfortabletrainingcollarwhenthedogstopspullingonthe
leash).

6. Positive punishment adds something to the situation to decrease the
chance of thebehaviourbeingexhibitedagain(forexample,growlingata
misbehavingdog).

7. Negativepunishmentremovessomethingfromthesituationtodecreasethe
chanceofthebehaviourbeingexhibitedagain(forexample,walkingawayfrom
adogwhojumpsup).

8. Mostmoderntrainerssaythattheyuse"positivetrainingmethods",whichisa
differentmeaningoftheword"positive"fromthatinoperantconditioning.
"Positivetrainingmethods"generallymeanspreferringtheuseofreward-
basedtrainingtoincreasegoodbehavioroverthatofphysicalpunishmentto
decreasebadbehavior.However,agoodtrainerunderstandsallfourmethods,
whetherornotshecanputoperant-conditioningterminologytothem,and
appliesthemasappropriateforthedog,thebreed,thehandler,andthe
situation.

9. Rewards
Positivereinforcerscanbeanythingthatthedogfindsrewarding- specialfood
treats,thechancetoplaywith atugtoy,socialinteractionwithotherdogs,or
theownersattention.Themorerewardingadogfindsaparticularreinforcer,
themoreworkhewillbepreparedtodoinordertoobtainthereinforcer.

10. Sometrainersgothroughaprocessofteachingapuppytostronglydesirea
particulartoy,inordertomakethetoyamorepowerfulpositivereinforcerfor
goodbehaviour.Thisprocessiscalled "buildingpreydrive",andiscommonly
usedinthetrainingofNarcoticsDetectionandPoliceServicedogs.Thegoalis
toproduceadogwhowillworkindependentlyforlongperiodsoftime.

11. Sometrainersbelievethatthetoyactsasapositivereinforcerforthedesired
behavior,wheninalllikelihoodthepreydriveworksonanentirelydifferent
levelfromstandardtraining and conditioning techniques. This is seen most
clearly in the fact that,according to the laws of operant conditioning,
positive reinforcers lose theireffectivenessifthey'regiveneverysingletimea
dogdoeswhatisdesiredofhim;themorepredictablethereinforcer,theless
reliablethebehavior.Yetdetectiondogsonlyworkwellwhentheyarealways
rewardedwithatoy,everysingletimetheyfinddrugsorexplosives,etc.

12. Thereasonforthisdisparityisthatwhenadogistrainedthroughthe
prey drive, the training activates an instinctive, automatic sequence that
has to becompletedinorderforthedogtofeelsatisfied. Thatsequenceis:
search,eye-stalk,chase,grab-bite,andkillbite.Sowhenadogsearchesand
findsdrugsorexplosives,hefeelshehasn'tfinishedhisjobunlesshecanbite
something.Thisistheprimaryreasonhe'salwaysgiventhetoy.It'snotreallya
positivereinforcer.Ifitwereitwouldreducethereliabilityofthebehavior
overall.It'sameansofcompletingthepredatorysequenceforthedog.

13. Punishments
"Positivepunishment"isprobablytheconsequencethatisleastusedby
moderndogtrainers,asitmustbeusedverycarefully.Adogisgenerallyonly
giventhistypeofpunishment if it is willfully disobeying the owner.
Punishing a dog who does notunderstandwhatisbeingaskedofhimisnot
onlyunfairtothedog,butcanmakethedogafearfulorunwillingworker.

14. Punishmentsareadministeredonlyasappropriateforthedog'spersonality,
age,andexperience.AsharpNoworksformanydogs,butsomedogseven
showsignsoffearoranxietywithharshverbalcorrections.Ontheother hand,
certaindogswith'harder'temperamentsmayignoreaverbalreprimand,and
mayworkbestifthereprimandiscoupledwithaphysicalpunishmentsuchas
aquicktugonatrainingcollar.Trainersgenerallyadvisekeepinghandcontact
withthedogtopositiveinteractions;ifhandsareusedtothreatenorhurt,
somedogsmaybegintobehavedefensivelywhenstrokedorhandled.

15. AvoidingpunishmentKeepingapuppyonaleashinchallengingsituationsorin
hiscrateorpenwhennotcloselysupervisedpreventsthepuppyfromgetting
intosituationsthatmightotherwiseinviteanowner'sharshreaction(suchas
chewingupafavoritepairofshoes).

16. Next:DogTrainingpartV- Thecommandvoice

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