- Self-reinforcing behavior.
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Some behaviors are self-reinforcing, which means that just doing
them is enough to make the puppy want to continue doing them. Examples
of self-reinforcing behaviors include raiding the trash and rolling
in a puddle of water when the puppy is hot. Prevention is the best
way to avoid self-reinforcing behaviors. Tie the pup's leash around
your waist or have the pup drag a length of rope. If the pup is dragging
a rope, watch him carefully so you can step on the end of the rope
when he is headed for forbidden territory.
- Interrupting a behavior.
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Dealing with unintentionally reinforced behavior involves removing
the reinforcer. But sometimes the behavior has been taught well enough
that it needs to be interrupted before we can teach the puppy what
good behavior will be reinforced. A loud, unexpected noise can generally
cause the puppy to startle.
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Startling the puppy provides an opportunity to redirect him to perform
a behavior which can be reinforced. The effectiveness of a startling
sound will be lost over time as the puppy habituates to the sound
unless you give the startle response meaning by following it with
encouragement to come to you. Again, you are teaching your puppy what
"right" is.
- Handling your puppy.
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Part of every day life is your need to handle your puppy. Now is
the time to teach your dog that it is good to be relaxed when it is
being touched. Use the Little-by-little approach and Peanut Butter
Therapy which is introduced in class.
- Adding the cue or command to stick touching, eye-contact and
sit.
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Precede the behavior with the cue word. It will take 20-50 repetitions
before the puppy will make the association. The association may not
work in different environments. You will need to help your puppy learn
the behavior in a variety of circumstances.
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Once you have added the cue, you can stop reinforcing the behavior
when you have not given the cue first. However, if your puppy needs
help because of unusual circumstances, go back to shaping the behavior
without the cue.
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When the puppy has really learned the behavior you do not want to
be in a position where he "tells" you to give him a treat by offering
the behavior. You are the leader, so you tell him when a performance
will result in possible reinforcement by giving him the cue.
