Overview

Focus on reinforcing good behavior rather than trying to catch your pup in the act of doing something bad. Your puppy will respect you and be less frustrated when it is learning what to do to be reinforced. There are thousands of ways to be wrong. Help your puppy by teaching him how to be right.

Reinforcers or punishers are defined by the puppy. If the puppy does more of the behavior you responded to, then he was reinforced; if he decides to do less of the behavior you responded to, then he was punished.

Become more aware of how your puppy is responding to what you do. We often teach undesirable behaviors in our puppies by unintentionally reinforcing or punishing inappropriately. Start to observe your interactions with your puppy more carefully.

Definitions

Reinforcement:

any action that increases the probability of a behavior reoccurring. The action follows the behavior.

Punishment:

any action that reduces the probability of a behavior reoccurring. The action follows the behavior.

Assignments

• Reinforce any good behavior you observe in you puppy.
• Collect information about situations when the puppy does something you don't like. What was he doing? When did it happen? What happened just before and just after? Who else was there? What was your reaction? How did your puppy react to your reaction?
• Shape the following behaviors:
  • Puppy touching the end of your finger with its nose;
  • Puppy making eye-contact with you rather than looking at a treat;
  • Puppy sitting for longer and longer periods of time.
• What things/activities are reinforcing to your pup? Under what circumstances will they work?

Hand-outs

• Shaping Behavior
• Using Treats
• Other Resources