You Get What You Reinforce

You Get What You Reinforce

By LukEli K-9, Dog Training and Behavior Modification Professionals

Have you ever heard the saying “you get what you give”? I’m sure many of you understand the meaning behind that phrase, but for arguments sake, lets define it as: you get out of a project as much effort or work as you put into it. Dog training falls under the same set of rules. In fact we have our own spin on that phrase “you get what you reinforce”.

To help you grasp the concept, I’m going to tell you a story about a horse named Clever Hans. Clever Hans was a horse that belonged to Wilhelm von Osten in Germany in the early 1900’s. Von Osten believed he had taught his horse to do math. He would write arithmetic problems on the chalkboard and Clever Hans would tap out an answer with his hoof. If von Osten wrote: 5+3= Clever Hans would tap his foot against the floor eight times.

A young student, Oskar Pfungst, was sent by a group of scientists to determine the extent of Hans’ cleverness. Pfungst asked von Osten and his horse to undergo a series of tests. After a battery of tests was performed, it was discovered that Hans could only answer the problems correctly if von Osten knew the answer. If he didn’t, neither did Hans. In other words, von Osten was cueing the horse somehow, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

After further study, Pfungst determined that whenever von Osten asked Hans a question, von Osten’s eyebrows lowered as he watched Hans tap his foot. As he completed the correct number of taps, von Osten lifted his eyebrows.

My point in telling this story is not about how we unintentionally give our animals cues all the time and then reinforce the behaviors they display after the cue was given unwittingly, but rather it is to point out that von Osten reinforced his horse tapping his foot on cue (probably through the use of food rewards) and unknowingly used Positive Reinforcement to shape a behavior.

Positive Reinforcement involves the presentation of a good consequence when the response performed. For instance, you say ‘sit’, your dog sits, and you give him a treat. This serves to increase the likelihood of the behavior in the future. It is scientifically proven that Positive Reinforcement (P+) is the least stressful way of learning for both animals and humans. It also has the longest lasting results (better long term learning) of all the other quadrants of operant conditioning. It allows for spontaneous rehearsal of behaviors on the dog’s part, which in turn makes learning new behaviors a breeze for you and your pet.

*Keep in mind there are three other quadrants of operant conditioning; Negative Reinforcement, Positive Punishment, and Negative Punishment. For the sake of this post we will only be referencing P+. Keep an eye out for our upcoming blog’s in depth discussion of all four quadrants of operant conditioning.

Using positive reinforcement as a training tool does not always mean giving your dog a treat when he does something you want. Primary reinforcers like food, water, and social interaction are the first in your bag of tricks, but secondary reinforcers (which can be anything from a belly rub, to praise, to being able to go outside and sniff) play a large role in training your dog as well. Remember, our dogs learn from every interaction with us.  Every time you or anyone else is in the presence of your dog some form of learning is taking place. You are reinforcing all types of behaviors every time you interact with your dog. Being aware of those interactions is an important step in modifying behaviors in animals.

For example, lets say your dog puts his paw on your leg and without thinking about it you reach down to pet him. Your dog has now learned that when he puts his paw on your leg he gets a pat from you or maybe as he sits at your feet while you are eating he gets a piece of food from you. He has now learned that sitting at your feet gets him what he wants. Food!!

Now, you may be thinking, “ehh, I don’t really care that much if my dog begs from me or puts his paw on me”. Don’t worry, I believe you. Those are very minor things. However, what if I ask you if it bothers you that your dog jumps on you or your guest, or that he pulls you around on the leash? Its very likely your answer would change.

Many times as dog trainers we find ourselves on our fourth or fifth visit with a client, still complaining about the same unwanted behaviors occurring from their dog as when they started the modification process with us. When asked if they have taken any of our techniques into practice these owners will tell us they haven’t had time or have forgotten to actually put into practice the change we suggested in the ways they interact with their dog.

Most times the changes we suggest have to do with the owners acknowledging their dog, aka reinforcing their dog for the things they want to see and ignoring the things they don’t. That sounds pretty simple in theory right? We can usually see the “wow, why didn’t I think of that?” moment flash across their face when we relay the message to them.

You get what you reinforce is a simple concept that is not so simply mastered. Be observant in your next few interactions with your dog; what do you notice that you do when it’s time to take your dog for a walk? Ever notice how there’s a point when your dog dashes to where you are, excited for what they know will be another thrilling adventure of a walk (and maybe jumps around like a maniac)? What cue/s do you give your dog? What is the reinforcer in this scenario? What behavior are you shaping? What behavior does the dog think the reward is a consequence of (and thus continues the behavior in order to continue to get the reward)? Thinking about these types of questions when interacting with your dog will start to change your understanding of how your actions shape your animals behavior. Start using that newfound understanding to your advantage today!