Operant Conditioning Techniques of Dogs

With operant conditioning, also known as stimulus-response conditioning, an animal forms an association between its behavior and what happens to it afterwards. Thus, when the dog behaves in a certain way, the consequence is good or bad. For operant conditioning to be effective, the consequences for the dog's behavior must be immediate. Operant conditioning is composed of several specific techniques. Most handlers use a combination of these techniques.

  1. Positive Reinforcement

    • One of the most popular operant conditioning techniques is positive reinforcement. With positive reinforcement, the dog receives a good consequence, or reward, for correct behavior. As a result, the dog repeats the behavior to receive additional rewards. The handler should learn which rewards the dog likes best. Some dogs prefer certain foods or cookies, while others respond better to play or praise.

      Positive reinforcement has many benefits; it builds trust and bonding between the handler and dog. The dog is willing and happy to perform the behavior, and there are no important consequences if the handler's timing is off. The disadvantages are that it takes longer to train the dog and the dog could gain weight if it isn't weaned from the treats.

    Negative Reinforcement

    • With negative reinforcement, the handler takes something away from the dog to increase the correct behavior. For example; to teach the dog to stop jumping on people, the handler turns her attention away from the dog whenever it jumps on her. The dog learns that jumping does not get the attention it wants and performs the correct behavior -- it stops jumping

      Positive and negative reinforcement are often used in conjunction. In the example above, the preferred behavior is for the dog to sit when it meets someone. Therefore, the handler turns her attention away from the dog when it jumps on her, waits until the dog sits, then immediately rewards the dog with attention and a treat.

    Punishment

    • With punishment, the dog receives a bad consequence, or something it doesn't like, as a result of its behavior. Handlers use punishment to change recent misbehavior into a negative experience. Examples of acceptable punishment are using a stern tone of voice, corrective tap, clapping of hands, spray mist or short periods of isolation. Punishment should never harm or abuse a dog.

      Punishment is difficult to use properly. If the handler's timing is off, the dog does not know what it is being punished for. Then dog becomes confused and may associate the punishment with the wrong behavior. Punishment can also have unintended consequences. For example; if the dog is smacked, it can learn to dislike hands, be afraid of strangers, or dislike people based on sex.

    Clicker Training

    • Clicker training can be used to teach complex behaviors such as agility.

      Clicker training is a form of operant conditioning. The clicker acts as a secondary reinforcer -- that is, something the dog associates with a primary reinforcer (usually a treat). Once the dog associates the neutral sound of the clicker with a reward, the handler uses the clicker as a training tool. One advantage of clicker trainer is that it helps the trainer with timing. The handler can click at the exact moment the dog behaves correctly, making it easier for the dog to identify what it does right. Then, the time it takes for the dog to determine the behavior the handler wants grows shorter and shorter. Additionally, the clicker gives the handler some extra time to get the treats.