Your dog hears you, but what are you saying!?
This page is dedicated on educating you, doggie owner, about why R+ is becoming the standard for dog training. Enjoy the links, articles, and information!
What is positive reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement, frequently called “R+” in dog trainer lingo, is the presentation of something pleasant or rewarding immediately following a behavior. It makes that behavior more likely to occur in the future, and is one of the most powerful tools for shaping or changing your pet's behavior. Whether a good or bad behavior -- if something is presented (a treat, love, your happy voice, a toy, a petting hand, eye contact) that an animal perceives as pleasant, that particular behavior WILL increase! The R stands for reinforcement and the + means that you’re adding something....in this case, something and animal likes!
So why all the fuss about R+?
Dog training has come a long way in the last 20 years. With each new year, more and more scientific research is conducted to explain how and why animals learn. Canine behavior experts (the PhDs!) around the world are all pointing to the fact that positive reinforcement (R+) is the best and most effective way to train a dog (and all animals!). The added bonus to this fact is that absolutely no force is needed to create the behaviors we so desire from our canine companions. Sure, using only positive reinforcement means being patient and committing to teaching your dog instead of intimidating it -- but don’t you want a relationship with your dog based purely on trust and mutual enjoyment of each other’s company?
If that’s R+, then what’s all the other stuff?
It’s rubbish, is what it is! Most “traditional” (ugh! I hate tradition!) training use a combination of what is called positive punishment and negative reinforcement. Either an animal receives something adversive (something unpleasant) after preforming a behavior, like a jerk on a choke chain or a smack with a rolled up newspaper, or a screaming human yelling “NOOOOOO”, or the animal is presented with an aversive first in order to induce a desired behavior. If I was a dog I’d enjoy doing what you tell me because I like you, not because I’m afraid or intimidated by you. And just because I may not show it, doesn’t mean I’m not afraid of you. I’m just a dog, after all, so while you’re jerking away on my choke chain I still am forced to “like” you because I depend on you for my food and shelter.
Below are links to articles that reference some of the best, brightest, and most respected animal (and dog!) behavior experts in the world. They don’t call them “Dr.” for nothing!
Experts agree that one of the contributing factors to the 4.7 million dog bites that occur each year may be owners mimicking what they see on T.V.
Dominance-Based Dog Training Techniques Made Popular by Television Shows Can Contribute to Dog Bites
Debunking the Myths of Dominance Training
You listen to your veterinarian about your dog’s health... keep listening...
Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists (AVSAB)
Who needs a dog “whisperer” when you have Dr. Ian Dunbar?
http://dogtime.com/cesar-millan-and-ian-dunbar.html
Dogs: Positive Reinforcement Training
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/dog_training_positive_reinforcement.html
Meet Nicole Wilde, CPDT who works with wolves and wolf hybrids using R+
http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogger/8
Victoria Stilwell
http://positively.com/positive-reinforcement/the-science-behind-the-philosophy/