NOT Justifications for Use of Aversives
Because we’ve always done it that way Because we don’t know what else to do, or how to use positive techniques Because we are angry To ‘teach the pet a lesson’ Because we have to ‘dominate’ the dog Because we can Because we saw it on TV
Operant conditioning – Is this the right tool for the job? • P+ good behavior is a great gig – if you can get it! • Ignoring (P-) behaviors will not always make them go away – other R+s • Many types of P+ will increase emotional arousal and exacerbate the behavior HelpingFido.com HelpingFido.com BehaviorEducationNetwork.com BehaviorEducationNetwork.com
Classical Conditioning – one stimulus (Conditioned, CS – can opener) predicts the occurrence of the second (Unconditioned, UCS - food) – Best initial learning occurs with 1:1 CS:UCS – Every sound of can opener = food
Our in-home visits – at the clinic too! Toss treats Changes how dog feels about us Does NOT reward growling behavior Separate emotion from the behavior Comforting a fearful child doesn’t make him more afraid