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What’s Differential Reinforcement In Dog Training?

by Gabriel Riesco | Apr 26, 2023 | Dog Training, For Dog Trainers, Fun Doggy Wisdom

Differential reinforcement is a technique used in dog training that involves rewarding a desired behavior while ignoring or redirecting an undesirable behavior. This approach is based on the principles of operant conditioning, which suggests that behavior is shaped by its consequences.

In differential reinforcement, the trainer provides positive reinforcement for the behaviors they want to encourage, while withholding reinforcement or redirecting the dog’s attention away from behaviors they want to discourage. This can be a powerful training technique, as it can help to establish good habits and prevent bad ones from taking hold.

Types of Differential Reinforcement:

There are several types of differential reinforcement that can be used in dog training, depending on the specific goals of the training program. These include:

1. Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA): In DRA, the trainer reinforces a behavior that is an acceptable alternative to the unwanted behavior. For example, if a dog is jumping up on people, the trainer may reinforce the dog for sitting politely instead.

2. Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI): In DRI, the trainer reinforces a behavior that is physically incompatible with the unwanted behavior. For example, if a dog is chewing on furniture, the trainer may reinforce the dog for playing with a chew toy instead.

3. Differential reinforcement of lower rates of behavior (DRL): In DRL, the trainer reinforces the dog for performing the unwanted behavior at a lower frequency. For example, if a dog is barking excessively, the trainer may reinforce the dog for barking less often.

4. Differential reinforcement of zero rates of behavior (DRO): In DRO, the trainer reinforces the dog for not performing the unwanted behavior at all. For example, if a dog is jumping up on people, the trainer may reinforce the dog for keeping all four paws on the ground.

Note that differential reinforcement is used in conjunction with other positive reinforcement techniques, such as praise, treats, and play. The goal of differential reinforcement is to shape the dog’s behavior in a positive way, not to punish or intimidate them.

Does it always work?

Differential reinforcement in intense cases might not work well if you don’t take care of certain details. To effectively use differential reinforcement in dog behavior training, it’s important to identify the state of mind of your dog and the level of arousal. Redirecting and luring away your dog with a treat or “play toy” is not an effective way of shaping any behavior.

Your dog should be presented to the situation where the unwanted behavior is likely to happen, but always below threshold. Any type of differential reinforcement technique should be performed while your dog is not on a very high arousal or over threshold. For example if your dog is reactive to other dogs, you want to keep your dog calm while reinforcing an acceptable alternate behavior. If you wait until your dog reacts and gets over threshold (red zone) differential reinforcement will not work and will likely make it worse.

Mistakes to avoid

A common mistake when modifying a behavior with differential reinforcement is to praise or reward with a lot of excitement by default. Excitement in most situations is going to send your dog back over threshold or “red zone” if you are not careful. People tend to confuse excitement with good. Excitement is not good or bad. Excitement is in your favor or against you depending on what you are trying to achieve. For example: if your dog is barking excessively or jumping on guests, excitement is against you. In these examples you want your dog to calm down. It’s imperative that you learn how to praise and reward with calmness.

Trainers should also be consistent in their use of reinforcement and provide clear feedback to the dog when they exhibit the desired behavior as well as keeping the dog under threshold or bringing them back under threshold if they start getting out of control.

Differential reinforcement is a powerful technique for shaping a dog’s behavior in a kind way. By rewarding the desired behavior and not letting the unwanted behavior happen, trainers can establish good habits and prevent bad ones from taking hold. This technique can have certain nuances where professional help might be needed. With consistent training dogs can learn to behave in a way that is both desirable and rewarding for everyone involved.

When Should I Start Training My Puppy?

by Gabriel Riesco | Apr 21, 2023 | Dog Training, Puppy Training

Training your puppy is important for their safety and well-being, as well as for your sanity as a dog parent. But, when should you start training your puppy? In this blog post, I’ll discuss the best time to start training your puppy and some tips to make the process easier.

The Best Time to Start Training Your Puppy

It’s important to start training your puppy as early as possible. The best time to start training your puppy is between 7 and 14 weeks of age. This is known as the critical socialization period, during which your puppy is most receptive to learning new things and adapting to their environment.

During this period, your puppy is also learning how to interact with people and other animals. It’s important to use both positive reinforcement training techniques and clear boundaries with kindness during this period to build a strong foundation of trust and respect. Puppy training is not just about obedience and commands. Learning how to communicate with your body language, husbandry and bonding with your puppy is even more important than just teaching commands and obedience.

To learn more about how to set up boundaries with kindness using body language you can check out my free videos or sign up for my online course: https://pawmos.com/online-dog-training/

3 Training Tips for Puppies

1. Never chase your puppy. If you chase your puppy, she will pretty soon learn that running away from you gets rewarded with her favorite game: game of chase. Game of chase is far way more reinforcing than treats. If you keep running after your puppy even if it is because they’re getting in trouble you’re reinforcing the behavior of staying away from you.

2. Keep Training Sessions Short: Puppies have short attention spans, so it’s important to keep training sessions short and sweet. Aim for 10-15 minute sessions or less, several times a day.

3. Socialize your puppy with other puppies and with well behaved adult dogs. With other puppies they will learn how to play. With adult dogs they will learn boundaries and social cues.

Training your puppy is an important part of being a responsible dog parent or guardian. Starting early will help build a strong foundation of trust, respect and bonding. Remember to keep training sessions short, be kind and be patient. With time and patience, you’ll have a well-behaved and happy loyal friend for ever.

If you want to learn more about body language, husbandry and bonding you can check out my free videos or sign up for my online course: https://pawmos.com/online-dog-training/

What Are The Puppy Behavior Development Stages?

by Gabriel Riesco | Apr 18, 2023 | Dog Training, Fun Doggy Wisdom, Puppy Training

Understanding the different stages of puppy behavior development can help you prepare for your new puppy’s arrival and provide the right kind of support as they grow and mature. It also helps with what things to expect as they grow

Week 1-2: Neonatal stage

During the first two weeks of their lives, puppies are entirely dependent on their mother for everything. They cannot see or hear, and they spend most of their time sleeping and nursing. They rely on their mother’s warmth and milk to survive and grow.

Week 3-4: Transitional stage

Around week three, puppies start to become more aware of their surroundings. Their eyes and ears begin to open, and they start to explore their environment. They become more mobile and start to develop basic motor skills, such as crawling and walking. They also start to play with their littermates, which helps them learn social skills and establish their place in the pack.

Week 5-7: Socialization stage

During this stage, puppies become more active and playful. They learn about their environment and social skills by playing with their littermates and interacting with people. This is a crucial stage for socialization and training. Puppies that receive proper socialization during this stage tend to be more confident, well-adjusted, and friendly as they grow older.

Week 8-12: Fear imprinting stage

Around eight weeks, puppies become more cautious and may start to exhibit fear or anxiety. This is a critical stage for socialization and training as puppies may develop lifelong fears or phobias if not handled correctly. It’s essential to expose your puppy to different experiences and stimuli, such as new people, sounds, and environments, in a safe and controlled manner. This will help them develop confidence and resilience.

Week 13-16: Juvenile stage

During this stage, puppies become more independent and may start to test their boundaries. They may exhibit more dominant or submissive behavior and may be more challenging to train. It’s essential to continue socializing and training your puppy during this stage to establish good behavior and avoid any negative behaviors that may become ingrained. At this stage you might experience some set backs in your training which is completely normal

Week 17-20: Adolescent stage

As puppies enter adolescence, they may become more defiant and less responsive to cues or commands. They may also become more territorial and protective of their resources. It’s essential to continue training and socializing your puppy during this stage to ensure they develop into well-behaved and well-adjusted adult dogs.

Understanding the different stages of puppy behavior development it’s key for you provide the right kind of support and care to your dog. Remember that patience, consistency, and proper guidance are essential to ensure your puppy grows into a confident and well-behaved adult dog.

Why Dogs Sniff Each Other’s Butts?

by Gabriel Riesco | Apr 14, 2023 | Dog Body Language, Dog Training, Fun Doggy Wisdom

Dogs are known for their curious and playful nature. They love to explore and interact with the world around them, including other dogs. One of the most common ways that dogs interact with each other is by sniffing each other’s butts. This behavior may seem strange to humans, but it is actually a crucial part of canine communication.

So, why do dogs sniff each other’s butts?

To understand this behavior, it is important to know that dogs have a highly developed sense of smell. Their noses are much more sensitive than ours, and they use their sense of smell to gather information about the world around them. This includes gathering information about other dogs.

When dogs sniff each other’s butts, they are essentially gathering information about their fellow canine. The area around a dog’s butt is rich in scent glands, and the odors produced by these glands contain a wealth of information about the dog. For example, the scent can tell a dog about the other dog’s age, sex, health, and even what it has been eating.
Another reason dogs sniff each other’s butts is to socialize. It is a way for dogs to say hello and get to know each other. Dogs are social animals, and sniffing is a way for them to gather information and build relationships. They bond and establish trust with each other.
Sometimes the manner in which dogs sniff rear ends can establish which of the two dogs is dominant and set the foundation of a canine relationship. The dog that is sniffed first is usually considered to be the lower-ranking dog, while the dog that does the sniffing is the higher-ranking dog.
Sniffing also helps the dog know when others are ready to mate or helps puppies locate their mother when they’re ready to eat.

Is intense smelling a sign of aggression?

There’s been some reports where a correlation between intense smelling and aggression has been noticed. In my experience the smelling part is never the issue, but the intensity can cause problems. If your dog is smelling to intense and too pushy I advice you to work on slowing down your dog before interacting with a new dog or group of dogs. Dogs who interact too intense can create a lot of tension when socializing.

Why do dogs smell another dog’s poop?

Dogs possess very powerful olfactory senses that can decode a lot of information. For dogs, poop is not gross, is just a source of very useful data Dogs sniff poop to gather information about health conditions, diet, distress, home environment, and even another dog’s mood. The main aim of smelling poop is to gather information and learn more about the dog.

Sniffing each other’s butts is a natural behavior for dogs. It is a way for them to communicate, establish hierarchy status and bond with each other. So, next time you see your dog sniffing another dog’s butt, let them be. Your furry friend is simply engaging in a behavior that is a crucial part of dog communication.

What’s Dog Trancing? Is This Normal?

by Gabriel Riesco | Apr 5, 2023 | Dog Body Language, Fun Doggy Wisdom, Mindfulness & Psychology with Dogs

What is Dog trancing?

Trancing, also known as “ghost walking” or “shadow chasing,” is a behavior that some dogs exhibit when they enter a hypnotic-like state. It involves the dog walking slowly and deliberately, with their head lowered and their body rigid. During trancing, the dog may appear unresponsive to external stimuli, including their owner’s commands.

Trancing is not a harmful behavior, but it can be concerning to some dog owners who may not understand why their dog is behaving in this way. It is important to note that not all dogs will exhibit trancing behavior, and it is more commonly seen in certain breeds, such as Bull Terriers, Greyhounds, Whippets, and Salukis.

So why do dogs trance?

There are several theories, but no definitive answer. One theory is that trancing is a self-soothing behavior that dogs engage in to relieve stress or anxiety. In this sense, trancing may serve as a coping mechanism for dogs who are feeling overwhelmed or anxious.

Another theory is that trancing is an instinctual behavior that is related to the hunting and stalking behaviors of wild canids. When a dog is in a trance-like state, they may be more focused on their surroundings and better able to detect prey. This may explain why some breeds, such as Greyhounds, which were originally bred for hunting, are more likely to trance than other breeds.

Is Trancing a concerning behavioral disorder?

It is important to note that while trancing is generally considered harmless, there are some cases where it may be a cause for concern. For example, if a dog is trancing excessively or in inappropriate situations, such as when they are outside and should be paying attention to their surroundings, it may indicate an underlying medical or behavioral issue. Additionally, if a dog is exhibiting other concerning behaviors, such as aggression or anxiety, it is important to seek the advice of a veterinarian or experienced dog behaviorist.

Can Trancing be learnt from dog to dog?

Some dog owners with multiple dogs have reported that their non-trancing dogs will start to trance after watching the other dog trancing. The new dog may trance under the same trigger the first dog tranced under, but oftentimes one dog will prefer to trance under different triggers or environment.

Should I do anything about it?

Trancing is an odd peculiar behavior that some dogs have. For the most part trancing is harmless and is not a pre-cursor obsessive compulsive disorder. So when you catch your dog trancing go ahead and let them be.

Overall, trancing is a relatively common behavior in dogs, and while the exact reasons for it are not fully understood, it is generally considered a harmless behavior. If you are concerned about your dog’s trancing behavior, it is important to speak with a qualified professional who can help you determine if there is an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.