Author archive: Terrie Hayward

Day TWO-21 Day Positive Training Kickstart Challenge

There are basically two types of training. One suppresses behavior as the learner attempts to do just the bare minimum to avoid something aversive (like punishment or corrections).

The other type is when the learner attempts to go to great lengths to try new & exciting things in order to earn reinforcers.

This video provides a good example of Positive Reinforcement Training vs. training using punishment.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQAayRtXkwE

There are four problems with punishment based training. One, aggression. Because punishers are not pleasant, there often can be aggression towards the punisher. Two, apathy. The animal becomes apathetic-lacking interest, emotion, concern, or feeling about learning. Three, escape/avoidance. Here, the learner attempts to escape or avoid the punishment & often the person meting out the punishment. Finally, generalized fear. In this case, the animal comes to fear things that they may associate with the situation or behavior or person during which the punishment occurs.

Examples of punishment based training techniques include choke chains, prong collars, shock collars, hitting, kicking, & any coercive or correction based methods.

All of these outcomes can be avoided by utilizing a positive reinforcement based training method. Examples include clicker training, rewards based teaching, or TAG (Teaching with Acoustical Guidance) teach.

Day ONE-21 Day Positive Training Kickstart Challenge

Wouldn’t it be nice to try to catch your dog or horse or child doing something right & rewarding them for that great behavior choice rather than waiting around for them do do something wrong & punishing them for it?

Positive reinforcement training or “R+ Training” is just that simple! We OBSERVE a behavior by watching for it or using a technique called, “shaping.” Then we mark the behavior with a sound or sometimes even a light, but with a signal that tells our learner that the behavior that they JUST performed is what we liked. Finally, we reinforce that behavior by allowing access to something that the learner finds reinforcing (food, a game, a walk, interaction, money..etc.).

ACTION: See if you can find someone around you (person or animal) doing something right today & reinforce that behavior (with a kind word, belly rub-best reserved for the pups!, or some other special treat)!

Remember for each new “like” of PAW-Positive Animal Wellness on Facebook during the 21 Day Challenge, PAW will donate $1.00 to Defensa Animales de Rincon (DAR)!

Don’t miss one day of the kickstart! Sign up for updates below.

Would you like to improve the consistency & effectiveness of your teaching, training, & overall relationship with the learners in your world?

Over the following weeks PAW will be presenting a 21 day “kick start” Positive Training Challenge!

Folks often reach out for help when they find themselves in a challenging & frustrating situation.

However, with the tips, advice, & guidance to follow, pet parents & people generally interested in how knowledge, science, applied behavioral analysis, persistence, & consistency can make positive changes for the better.

For the busy dog, bird, or horse owner who is time crunched & dealing with other realities & priorities of daily life, finding the right information to help from legitimate sources can feel frustrating & overwhelming.

However, before you throw up your hands & give up, the twenty-one day positive reinforcement training challenge is here to help you to optimize your learning, teaching, & training potential.

Stay tuned & tune in to participate & be on the way to a better understanding of training & learning & an overall improved relationship with your companion animal!

For every new “like” on the PAW-Positive Animal Wellness Facebook page during the 21 day challenge, PAW will donate one dollar to the newly created Defensa Animal de Rincon-DAR animal rescue group.

Thanks & good luck getting started on the right “PAW” today!