Fields-Babineau Abc's Of Positive Training

1. Auflage 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59378-954-1
Verlag: CompanionHouse Books
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 123 Seiten

Reihe: Positive Training

From puppy to senior - and every stage of life in between - Positive-Training Series books offer fanciers savvy advice straight from the experts.

Miriam Fields-Babineau is a professional animal trainer, author of 32 books on animal training and provides animals for media productions. She has trained many Labradoodles and other mixed breeds in her classes of the years. She designed the Comfort Trainer Head Halter, All-in-One Training Leash and other animal training products. She resides on a farm in Virginia with her husband, son and many beloved pets.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Fields-Babineau, Miriam

Weitere Mitwirkende

Cohen, Evan

Leseproben

Let’s begin by spelling out the terminology commonly used by dog trainers who subscribe to the popular positive-training technique. Positive training is as simple as praising your dog for good behavior–it’s as simple as telling him “Yes, Good dog!” and now it’s as simple as A-B-C!

ACTIVE SUBMISSION

The dog gives up his leadership role by lying down in a submissive position. He can be lying on his stomach, back or side. His tail is wagging slow and low, and he might be licking his lips, blinking his eyes and holding his ears down. The dog tries to make himself look smaller and less threatening.

ALLEY-OOP

A target training tool designed by Gary Wilkes. It has a circular non-tip base, a cylindrical post about a foot long and a round ball on top of the post. It can be placed on most any surface and remain standing upright, making it a great tool for distance targeting.

AVOIDANCE

Trying to keep away from something.

BAITING

Food or a toy used near the dog’s muzzle to attain and maintain the dog’s attention.

BEHAVIOR

Anything the dog does is a behavior. Examples: Sit, down, come to you, lick his lips, get into the trash can, jump up.

BEHAVIOR CHAIN

A group of behaviors. Examples: Heel and sit, down and stay, sit and stay then come.

BEHAVIOR SHAPING

Building on the knowledge of a known behavior to turn it into a new behavior. Example: The dog knows how to sit and you wish to teach him to stay. Each time the dog remains sitting in the same spot for a few seconds longer, his behavior is being shaped to learn how to stay.

BRIDGE

The point between the dog’s responding to a stimulus and receiving his reward.

BRIDGING SIGNAL

Examples: The sound of a click, a squeaky toy or the words “Good” or “Yes” in a happy tone of voice, signifying that a reward is coming.

CAPTURING

The moment that the dog has performed a behavior you were seeking, the dog is bridged. This captures the moment that he has done something you wanted him to do. As he has learned that the bridging signal means a reward, he’ll seek to repeat the behavior and obtain more rewards.

CLASSICAL CONDITIONING

A stimulus that automatically elicits an uncontrollable response. Example: Pavlov conditioned dogs to salivate when they heard a ringing bell by always feeding the dogs upon the sound of the bell.

CLICKER

A small box, either oval or rectangular in shape. The rectangular box has a piece of metal that, when pressed, makes a clicking noise upon release. The oval type of box has a button that presses upon a piece of metal, making a similar clicking noise upon release.

CONDITIONED RESPONSE

A taught response to specific stimuli.

CONSISTENCY

Doing the same thing every time, regardless of the situation.

CRITERIA

The rules and/or conditions you set that must be met prior to a reward.

DISTANCE TARGETING

Setting up something away from you that you wish the dog to go touch.

DISTRACTION

Anything that takes the dog’s mind off of you. Examples: Toys, food, people, dogs, other animals, traffic, loud noises.

DOMINANT

In charge. Number one. The boss.

ELECTRONIC COLLAR/ELECTRONIC STIMULATION COLLAR/E-COLLAR

A collar that will elicit an uncomfortable sensation when triggered either by the vibration of the dog’s voice box or the use of a remote-control device.

ESCAPE

Trying to avoid a stimulus. Example: A dog that has learned that a certain object can bring either great pain or anxiety will remain away from that object.

EXTINCTION/EXTINGUISH

To get rid of a behavior.

FIXED INTERVAL

A fixed amount of time after which a reward will be given.

FIXED RATIO

A specific amount of correct responses after which a reward will be given.

FORCE-TRAINED

The dog’s being pulled or otherwise made to perform without being given a chance to make the correct choice.

HEAD HALTER

A training tool worn on the dog’s head, much like a horse’s halter (not a bridle, for there is no bit). The tool is made to apply pressure to the top of the dog’s nose and guide the head. The body follows the head, thereby reducing the dog’s “pulling” power and quickly teaching him to pay attention in a manner that is understood by the dog.

INSTINCTIVE/INSTINCTUAL BEHAVIOR

A behavior that comes naturally.

LEARNED RESPONSE

A behavior that occurs upon presentation of a specific stimulus. Example: You give the command to sit. Your dog sits. He has learned to respond to the stimulus of your command.

LURING

Using food or a toy to move your dog into a desired position or to elicit a specific behavior.

MOTIVATION

A desire to perform or behave in a specific manner.

NEGATIVE PUNISHMENT

A stimulus or reward is taken away from the dog to extinguish a behavior. Examples: You turn away when a dog jumps on you, not giving him the satisfaction of getting any reaction out of you.

NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT

An aversive stimulus is removed to encourage a behavior. Example: The pressure of the head halter on the nose is removed when the dog pays attention.

OPERANT CONDITIONING

A signal (stimulus) is associated with a reward, thus eliciting a learned response.

PRAISE

Words of reward spoken to the dog in a high-pitched, enthusiastic tone of voice.

POSITIVE PUNISHMENT

Something is added to punish the dog. Examples: A yank on a neck collar. Spraying the dog in the face with water.

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

Something is added to reward the dog. Examples: Praise, treats, toys.

POSITIVE RESPONSE

Your dog behaves in the correct manner.

PREY DRIVE

The drive to go after something that will offer either food, shelter or territory. Dogs are predators and all have this drive. Example: A dog chasing squirrels.

PRIMARY PUNISHERS

A training device. Examples: Choke chain, prong collar, e-collar.

PRIMARY REINFORCER

A reward that the receiver doesn’t have to learn to like.

PROGRESSING

Moving forward with training new behaviors.

PRONG COLLAR

A metal linked collar with prongs turned toward the inside, made to be worn against the dog’s neck. When tugged upon, the prongs come together in a pinching action, catching the dog’s skin between them. Yes, it’s painful. However, when used properly, it can be an effective training device for dogs that won’t respond to gentler methods. However, these dogs are few and far between, as most dogs will respond to positive training in some manner.

PUNISHMENT

The use or removal of a stimulus to decrease the occurrence of a behavior.

RANDOM INTERVAL

A varied amount of time between actions.

REDIRECTING

Taking the dog’s attention away from an improper behavior and turning him toward a proper, or approved, behavior.

REINFORCER

Anything that contributes to the dog’s accomplishments.

REGRESSING

Going back a step or two to where the dog was showing successful responses. This happens when progress has stopped; regressing is done in order to maintain a positive attitude.

RELIABILITY

A behavior that is sound and consistent in any situation.

REWARD

Anything the dog likes. Examples: Food, toys, exercise.

RECALL

The dog’s coming to you on command.

RESPONSE

Reaction to a stimulus.

SCHEDULES OF REINFORCEMENT

The intervals at which a reward will be given, including fixed interval, variable interval, fixed ratio and variable ratio.

SECONDARY PUNISHER

A correction that is first given concurrently with the primary punisher. Example: The word “No” said in a low, growling tone of voice. The dog will learn to avoid the primary punisher, thus correcting himself upon hearing the secondary punisher.

SECONDARY NEGATIVE PUNISHER

Denying the dog any reaction or reward. This causes the dog to keep throwing out (performing) behaviors, as he hasn’t received a reward or punishment of any kind.

SECONDARY REINFORCER

These are actions that the receiver has to learn to like. Examples: The words “Good” or “Yes.”

SELF-REWARDING BEHAVIOR

Anything that gives the dog pleasure without your involvement. Examples: Counter surfing, garbage hunting, jumping up, racing through a door.

SHAPING

Building a desired behavior through breaking it down...