Amazing Secrets To Dog Training
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Have you ever wondered how really good dog trainers come up with the techniques they use to solve behavior problems in
dogs such as excessive barking, destructive chewing, toileting in the house and jumping up on visitors? Or how top dog
trainers come up with ways to train dogs in top obedience and working competitions? Apart from a few “naturals”, most
really good dog trainers have a very good understanding of how dogs learn. They have adapted theory from the world of
behavioral science and turned that knowledge into real-life practical skills for training dogs. This article explains in plain
English some of the science and theory behind dog training, these really are secrets of the dog training professionals!
Operant Conditioning is the term that scientists use to describe what dog trainers call “training with consequences”. That
is, any training that involves a consequence that either reinforces or punishes behavior. There are 4 possible consequence
types used in Operant Conditioning, and 1 non-consequence. These are:
1. Positive Reinforcement: when we give a reward and the behavior increases or is maintained as a result, we call this
positive reinforcement (+R). e.g dog sits when asked, we give a treat. Dog learns to sit when asked in future.
2. Negative Reinforcement: when we take something unpleasant away and the behavior increases or is maintained as a
result, we call this negative reinforcement (-R). e.g we ask dog to sit, pulling up on collar, dog sits, we release pressure
from the collar. Dog learns to sit when asked in future.
3. Positive Punishment: when we do something unpleasant and the behavior is decreased or eliminated as a result, we call
this positive punishment (+P). e.g dog goes to investigate kitchen bench for food, we make a sharp noise. Dog learns not to
investigate kitchen benches for food in future.
4. Negative Punishment: when we take away something the dog wants or enjoys and the behavior is decreased or
eliminated as a result, we call this negative punishment (-P). e.g dog plays too roughly with another more timid dog, we
leash rough dog and remove the opportunity to play. Dog learns not to play too roughly in future.
5. Extinction: when behavior is no longer reinforced and it eventually goes away, we call this extinction. e.g dog is used to
being allowed outside when he whines at the door, but is suddenly no longer allowed out when he whines. Dog learns not
to whine at the door. Extinction sometimes makes the target behavior worse before it gets better, sometimes significantly.
This is known as an “extinction burst” and is usually a sign that the behavior is about to diminish rapidly. In the current
example, the dog might whine more often, more loudly, and for longer periods before learning that whining doesn’t work
for him any more.
Let’s examine the terms more closely. Apart from extinction, you will notice four words that can be used in four different
combinations. These are “positive”, “negative”, “reinforcement” and “punishment” and they are technical terms that
scientists use when discussing Operant Conditioning.

“Positive” means to add something. We add the reward, or add the punisher. By contrast, “Negative” means to take
something away. We take away the reward, or take away the unpleasant stimulus.
“Reinforcement” is when we increase or maintain behavior. The behavior happens more often, more intensely, for
longer periods, or it continues to happen without reducing in frequency, intensity or duration. By contrast, “Punishment”
is when we decrease or eliminate behavior using consequence. We reduce the frequency, intensity or duration of the
behavior.
A common mistake is to assume that we have reinforced or punished behavior when in fact in future we discover that the
behavior has not actually been changed! Many dog trainers believe that praise is an effective reinforcement. It may be, for
some dogs in some circumstances. The truth is we don’t know unless we see the behavior that earned the praise increase or
keep occurring in the future. The same applies to punishment. Yelling at a dog might stop it from going through your
rubbish bin while you are there, but does it stop your dog going through the rubbish bin while you’re not there, probably
not. A more effective approach is to use a more secure rubbish bin, or put the rubbish bin in a place which is inaccessible
to the dog.
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