The cynologist explained to Volgograd nuances in dog training

Why is everyone talking about positive reinforcement?

The meaning of positive reinforcement is simple: for the correct action or execution of a command, the pet receives a reward - delicacy, praise, affection. However, this is only one of the tools in the arsenal of the cynologist.

As explained by the President of the Russian Canine Federation Vladimir Golubev, today in training rely on positive reinforcement – this method is considered the safest and most effective. This is why dog owners often hear about it. The other three approaches are aversive, that is, associated with unpleasant stimuli. Their use requires professionalism: the amateur risks unwittingly undermining the trust of the pet if he uses such techniques incorrectly.

What is "Skinner Square" and why you need it

The Skinner Square model was created by American psychologist Berres Skinner in the last century, but still serves as a basic framework for understanding the mechanisms of behavior change in both humans and animals.

The square includes four ways to influence behavior:

positive reinforcement;

positive punishment;

negative reinforcement;

negative punishment.

It is important to clarify the terminology immediately: the words “positive” and “negative” here do not mean “good” or “bad”. This is a reference to mathematical operations: “plus” is the addition of a stimulus, “minus” is its removal. Timing is also critical: the impact must coincide with the moment of the dog’s behavior, otherwise the connection between the action and the consequence will not be fixed.

How the methods work

Positive reinforcement (R+) is the addition of a pleasant stimulus so that the desired behavior is repeated more often. A classic example: the dog performed the command “Lie down” – and immediately received delicacy and praise. A simple logic is formed in a pet: “If I do this, I will be given something good.”.

Negative reinforcement (R-) is based on removing the unpleasant stimulus to reinforce the desired behavior. Let’s say a dog learns to sit. The owner slightly presses on the croup, creating slight discomfort. As soon as the dog sits down, the pressure is removed. In the mind of the animal, a connection is fixed: “In order for the discomfort to disappear, I need to sit down.”.

Positive punishment (P+) involves adding an unpleasant stimulus to stop the unwanted action. Most often, this method is appropriate only in emergency situations. For example, a dog reaches for something poisonous on the ground. The owner sharply pulls the leash or takes the pet in his arms, interrupting the dangerous action. The dog learns, “If I do this again, there will be great discomfort.”.

Negative punishment (P-) is the deprivation of a pleasurable stimulus so that unwanted behavior ceases. For example, during the game, the dog accidentally bites the hand of the owner. The person immediately stops the game, turns away, removes the toy. The pet understands, “Because of this action, I lose what I like.”.

Which approach is better to choose the owner

Methods associated with discomfort are easy to apply too harshly. Careless movement can scare the dog or cause him pain. Therefore, cynologists work with owners focus on positive reinforcement: it solves most tasks without stress for the animal.

Sometimes it is appropriate to use negative punishment – for example, temporarily stop playing or ignore a pet to show that a certain behavior deprives it of pleasure. Two other methods (positive and negative reinforcement with elements of discomfort) are used much less often, and in everyday life - most often only in emergency cases, when you need to immediately stop a dangerous situation.