Animal Training - Operant Conditioning

• Consequences following behaviour influence the frequency of future behaviour
• Behaviours that resulted in valued consequences in the past are repeated in the future, behaviours that resulted in adverse consequences in the past are modified or suppressed in the future (Friedman, 2005)

• Strengthens behaviour by a consequence that the individual finds rewarding

• Antecedents
  • e.g., mailman, children, bag lady, sirens, unfamiliar dogs, staring stranger, night time, mom calling, tennis ball, skateboarder, food on table, front door, click and treat
  • environmental cues, verbal/visual cues, targets, training methods
• Consequences
  • +R, -P, +P, -R

• Both influence behaviour

Definition

In layman’s terms

Increase or decrease behaviour?

Examples

Positive Reinforcement

(R+)

The giving of encouragement to a particular behaviour

A reward is given

Increase behaviour

Toy/game

Money

Treats

Praise

Negative Reinforcement

(R-)

The removal of a discouraging stimulus associated with a particular behaviour

An adversive stimulus is taken away

Increase behaviour

Choke chain

Prong collar

Halti

Positive Punishment

(P+)

Administration of an adversive stimulus following a behaviour

Adversive stimulus is given

Decrease behaviour

Smacking

Time out/crate

Choke chain

Prong collar

Shock collar

Negative Punishment

(P-)

Removal of a pleasant stimulus

Reward is withheld or removed

Decrease behaviour

Time out/crate

Withholding treat

Turning your back