By Norma Jeanne Laurette

By Norma Jeanne Laurette ​

​Excerpt From Blueprint To A Happy Dog By Norma Jeanne Laurette & Greg Ceci  R72
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More Flies With Honey – What Is Positive Training?What is “positive” training? In learning theory terminology the word positive has a very specific designation that applies to two of the four quadrants of operant conditioning and means: to add something to either increase or decrease the likelihood that a behaviour will re-occur R3. However, in conventional dictionaries the same word also means: good, constructive, improvement, affirmation, optimism, confidence, hope, and having a favourable outcome R4.

We like to believe that positive is not just how we train dogs but an attitude to apply to all aspects of our lives. Positive is not just what we do – it’s who we are. First, let’s examine the learning theory or technical side of the word positive.

In order to understand the four quadrants of operant conditioning we must first understand what the term operant implies. In 1905 Edward L. Thorndike presented a psychological principle about behavioural conditioning called Law Of Effect, which states that behaviours resulting in a pleasant outcome are more likely to be repeated than those resulting in an unpleasant outcome R5. Hence the adage, “you can catch more flies with honey”.

In 1938 B.F. Skinner coined the term operant conditioning and took Thorndike’s theory to another level creating four quadrants of operant conditioning to depict how behaviour is strengthened or weakened by pleasant or unpleasant consequences R6. These cause and effect learning associations compel a dog to intentionally operate within its environment by making conscious choices in order to affect the outcome in its favour, hence the term operant conditioning R7.

​The term positive reinforcement refers to adding something pleasant in order to increase the likelihood that a specific behaviour will reoccur R8.

Example: When the dog sits you give it a treat increasing the likelihood that the dog will sit.

Application: Adding something pleasant (treat) to increase the behaviour (sit).
Positive Reinforcement is motivational as well as proactive in nature resulting in a handler that exhibits benevolent leadership R9.

​The term positive punishment refers to adding something unpleasant in order to decrease the likelihood that a specific behaviour will reoccur R10.

Example: When the dog wanders from heel position it’s yanked by the neck back into position, decreasing the likelihood that the behaviour of wandering from heel position will re-occur.

Application: Adding something unpleasant (yank) to decrease the behaviour (moving out of heel position). This is unnecessary and inhumane R11. We do not use this technique nor do we endorse any kind of positive punishment.

Since positive punishment is reactionary in nature it does not demonstrate leadership but rather indicates that the trainer is responding to the dog’s behaviour utilizing intimidation, fear and/or pain to stop unwanted behaviour R12.

​The term negative reinforcement refers to removing something unpleasant in order to increase the likelihood that a specific behaviour will reoccur R13.

Example A: The dog refuses to take the dumbbell into its mouth. The trainer pinches the dog’s ear causing it to yelp in pain and open its mouth in order to stuff the dumbbell inside. When the dog closes its mouth on the dumbbell the trainer releases the painful ear pinch.

Application: Removing something unpleasant (painful ear pinch) to increase the behaviour (taking and holding the dumbbell). This is unnecessary and inhumane R14. We do not use this technique and do not endorse this type of negative reinforcement.

Example B: If a dog is reactive to other dogs we can employ negative reinforcement techniques that are useful and humane variations of the Constructional Aggression Treatment (CAT) and Behaviour Adjustment Training (BAT) techniques R15.

Application: Removing something unpleasant (someone or something the dog is afraid of) in order to increase the behaviour (calming signals or other non-reactive behaviour). In example B, once we’ve identified the dog’s threshold we strive to stay below it. We reward the dog by removing the unpleasant stimulus (the decoy dog or person that it’s afraid of) when it shows calming signals or other non-reactive behaviour R16.

Example A is clearly reactionary and aversive in nature while Example B if carefully planned and executed is proactive, systematic, humane, and focuses on keeping the dog below threshold in order to keep behaviour modification as stress free as possible – while utilizing the dog’s motivation to gently change unwanted behaviour R17.

​Although the term negative punishment may sound aversive in nature, it’s actually the quadrant that applies to resource control and benevolent leadership. Negative punishment simply means: to remove something pleasant in order to decrease the likelihood that a specific behaviour will reoccur R18.

Example: A puppy jumps on you and you ignore it until it sits at which point you lavish it with attention.
Application: Removing something pleasant (your attention) to decrease the behaviour (jumping up).
This is another example of a proactive and benevolent approach to changing unwanted behaviour that is neither permissive nor reactionary R19.

Positive trainers use three of the four quadrants of operant conditioning. The only quadrant we do not use is positive punishment, as we never do unpleasant things to a dog to stop unwanted behaviour R20.

​IPDTA’s Definition Of Abuse In Dog Training & Behaviour Modification
 
IPDTA defines abuse in dog training and behaviour modification as the use or misuse of any tool, technique or training method that intentionally causes or has a reasonable likelihood of causing unnecessary, physical injury, emotional distress, discomfort, pain or any other form of harm that compromise a dog's physical safety or emotional wellbeing.
 
Grounded in the principles of operant conditioning established by B.F. Skinner, IPDTA promotes only scientifically proven dog training and behaviour modification practices that emphasize positive methods, voluntary participation and informed choice. The organization's approach is centred on achieving lasting behavioural change through humane, ethical methods that nurture trust,
 
confidence and positive outcomes, not through punishment or coercion (R1) (R3). The term “necessary” only applies when it’s necessary to handle a dog for health reasons, to keep it safe or save it from harm, or the mild exposure to a stimulus necessary when applying desensitization, counter conditioning, Constructional Aggression Treatment (CAT), Behaviour Adjustment Training (BAT) and similar techniques.

IPDTA-certified dog trainer/members must adhere to strict professional guidelines that prohibit the use of any coercive tool including but not limited to choke chains, slip collars, pinch collars, shock equipment, spray products, shaker cans or high frequency sound products. It also includes alpha rolls or any form of physical punishment, pushing, intimidation, domination, leash corrections, hanging, poking, kicking or hitting of any kind. Members must only use scientifically proven, positive, humane, reward-based methods that promote psychological safety, clear communication and lasting behavioural change without compromising the dog’s physical or emotional wellbeing.

​The problem with punishment is not just ethical – it’s scientific. First of all, punishment does not teach a dog what we want it to do – it merely suppresses behaviour while weakening the trust bond between dog and handler R35. When one makes a mistake while using punishment-based training, the results can be dire for the dog physically, its temperament and/or emotional wellbeing R36.

On the other hand, positive training nurtures thinking and learning, builds confidence and strengthens the human/canine relationship through clear communication and consistent motivation R37. When one makes a mistake while using positive training, no harm is done and all it takes is a few correct repetitions to eliminate any confusion R38.

​Despite being thoroughly discredited by the world’s most respected experts, the outdated dominance theory continues to influence many guardians and trainers R48. It has been proven that dogs do not attempt to dominate humans but instead, their motivation is to control valued resources, which is a survival instinct R49. Because of this, if we control the resources, we can control the dog R50.

The concept of leadership through resource control makes far more sense. If we control everything our dogs value by requiring them to earn resources such as walks, toys, food, play, attention etc., by first performing a learned cue such as sit or down, there is no need for intimidation or domination R51. Instead we motivate, teach and reinforce. This is benevolent leadership based on trust, not fear R52.

Another benefit of resource control as the foundation of our training protocols is that since the dog is earning a variety of resources other than food, fading the treats for correct responses will be seamless R53.

Punishment is not leading – it’s reacting and if we’re reacting, we’re not leading – we’re following R54.

For more information about resource control refer to our first book Blueprint To A Happy Dog R72

​“Balanced training” which combines reward and punishment only confuses a dog because it can’t predict whether something good or bad is about to happen R55. It causes confusion and distrust resulting in frustration, stress and anxiety R56. The result is eroded trust as well as new behaviour problems that can be far worse than the one being treated R57.

When training feels like a gamble, dogs become hyper vigilant and emotionally insecure. This stress manifests as fear, avoidance and/or aggression – all behaviours that damage the dog-human relationship as well as the dog’s temperament, emotional wellbeing and quality of life R58. Remember that our goal is to make things better for our dogs, not worse.

​Our training approach is both touch-free and choice-driven. Dogs are not forced – they’re motivated. They learn to think independently, make correct choices and offer desired behaviours to earn rewards R59.

It’s important to note that positive does not mean permissive. We teach self-control and mutual respect R60. While food is used initially as a lure, motivator and reward, it is gradually faded and replaced by real-life rewards, which are valued resources R61. The result is a dog that’s happy and reliable in its responses – even when no one is there to correct it R62.

​Every dog is unique but generally falls into one of three temperament categories or somewhere in between. Here’s how punishment affects each temperament.
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1. Timid/Fearful– Punishment increases stress, anxiety and fear, destroys trust and risks serious behaviour fallout such as but not limited to reactivity and/or fear aggression R63.
2. Even-Tempered– Unless the punishment is severe enough to intimidate or cause fear, the even-tempered dog could misinterpret punishment as play or attention, reinforcing the very behaviours we’re trying to reduce R64.
3. Assertive– Unless the punishment is severe enough to intimidate or cause fear, an assertive dog is likely to resist or defend itself, causing new behaviour problems including, but not limited to aggression R65.

It doesn’t matter where the dog is on the Temperament Continuum, punishment will result in problems R66. Remember that it takes time to create a trusting relationship based on mutual trust and respect, but only moments to destroy it R67.

​​If you had to learn a new skill, would you prefer the process to be motivational, fun and rewarding, or discouraging, stressful and upsetting? Dogs are no different, they want to feel safe, they want to achieve success and they want to be happy R68.

Let’s stop correcting and start connecting. Let’s lead with compassion, mutual respect and benevolent leadership, not intimidation, fear and pain R69. Let’s live and train positively because bullying in any form is never okay R70. The good news is that positive training works, we’ve proven it again and again over decades and as guardians and trainers we have a responsibility to be a safe haven for our dogs R71.

Every choice we make and every action we choose changes the direction of our lives and the lives of everyone in our orbit. They pass from person to person, person to dog, dog to dog and around the world with a ripple affect, and the only one who can change its course is us.

At an obedience trial, Norma Jeanne watched as two dogs earned perfect scores. One dog was beaming with a wagging tail, big doggie smile and obviously having a great time. The other had its tail tucked and ears back, its body was stiff and looked stressed as though anticipating a reprimand if it made a mistake. Both were well trained however, only one was happy. Ask yourself, which dog would you rather have?