Dog Training Jargon

04-11-2022

Going to puppy training with your puppy, your adolescent dog who is exploring the world in a stubborn way or teaching your old dog new tricks 😉 Every dog ​​owner has to deal with dog training.
There are different training methods and within these different terms are used. Some terms are difficult to distinguish and cause confusion and there are also many discussions going on regarding the different methods. In this article we will explain jargon from the training world.

But before we get to that, let's first give a little explanation...
The use of jargon within a field can be useful to explain or illustrate a principle. However, the perception or interpretation of these concepts can differ per person, especially when (often scientific) words are used that have a different meaning in everyday life. This is especially the case with 'operant conditioning', where 'positive' and 'negative' are used (more on this later).
If you browse the internet a bit, you will soon discover that there are even camps that have emerged that criticize each other.
In this article I do not want to judge the methods or indicate a preference for one over the other, but only to provide some clarity about the concepts. You will often encounter them in blogs and forums or in conversations during playtime at the dog park. Perhaps it can help you to gain more insight into your own upbringing, in preparation for a training/course or to reduce confusion.

Operant conditioning
The four principles of this form of learning form the basis for most training methods. The goal of operant conditioning is to either increase or decrease the occurrence of a certain behavior.

The four principles:
- Positive reinforcement, also called positive reinforcement;
- Negative reinforcement, also called negative reinforcement;
- Positive punishment;
- Negative punishment.

The idea is that the dog learns from an event (through a consequence or result) and adjusts its behavior accordingly. By reinforcing an event, the dog will do it more often and by adding a punishment, the dog will stop doing it.

However, the terms used in these principles often cause confusion, because the words 'positive' and 'negative' do not mean the same as 'good' or 'bad'. It is better to look at it as a plus and a minus. With positive, you as the owner add something to the event and with negative, an element is taken away.

Adding something can be thought of as giving a reward treat, a pat on the head or words of praise (good boy!, well done!). But slapping your dog, grabbing it by the scruff of the neck or screaming at the top of your lungs is theoretically also adding something to an event and therefore falls under 'positive'.

Taking something away can mean taking away a toy, ignoring your dog and not giving her any more attention and turning your back on her. But also releasing the tension on the leash so that she has more freedom of movement is taking away an element and therefore 'negative'.

The word 'punishment' is also often taken literally. Now you probably immediately think of that slap. However, it does not mean physically or mentally hurting your dog. Punishment can include pulling your dog away from something or shouting 'no' or 'bad'.

Some examples:

- Positive reinforcement: adding something that your buddy really likes or enjoys to stimulate and repeat/reinforce a desired behavior. The easiest example is giving a treat when following a command. But also, for example, just after your dog has stopped barking, giving lots of hugs, pats and good wishes;
- Negative reinforcement: when something is removed that the dog does not like in order to stimulate and repeat/reinforce a desired behavior. An example of this is the choke chain or choke chain. When the dog pulls, this chain causes an uncomfortable/painful feeling. If he does not pull, it will become looser around the neck and the unpleasant feeling will disappear;
- Positive punishment: adding something that your buddy doesn't like to reduce or stop unwanted behavior. For example, your dog jumps up on someone. A jerk on the leash and pulling him down is adding something to make him stop jumping up. At the same time, you will often also shout 'no!' or 'down'. This also falls under positive punishment, because you are adding something (verbal) when you see unwanted behavior;
- Negative punishment: is taking away something that your best friend really likes or enjoys to reduce or stop unwanted behavior. For example, not throwing the ball anymore or putting it away, because you want your dog to stop barking during play.

The first two days Stitch was with us, he managed to eat our plates clean 😈. To teach him the 'leave it' command, we put a treat on the floor in front of him. When he wanted to take it, we said 'no' and 'leave it' again, along with an open hand gesture ✋ and took the treat away. If he didn't take the treat, he got the treat and of course lots of hurray. Once he got the hang of the command, we put our plates in front of him with the command again. He never ate from our plates again after that 😇.

Let’s try to categorize this situation. Taking the treat away when Stitch wanted it is negative punishment. But giving the treat when he left it is positive reinforcement. So you can look at it from multiple angles. Or say that teaching this command is a combination of multiple principles of operant conditioning.

Classical conditioning
Developed by Ivan Pavlov, where something is learned by association or linking certain things.

Now I have no illusions that I can teach my four cats anything. But I see enough things that they have taught themselves. For example, they know very well (Stitch included) that when we come home from a walk it is snack time. When we come in they are all 'drooling' at the snack box.

The difference between operant conditioning and classical conditioning is that with classical conditioning, an emotion is unconsciously linked to an event > when Stitch comes home, we get something tasty 🤤
With operant you consciously stimulate a certain behavior (reinforcement) or demotivate (punishment) by means of consequences/results > if one of the cats tries to steal Stitch's treat, he gets a growl from him. Stitch is so much better at training cats than I am 😄

Classical conditioning can be used to get dogs used to something, for example fireworks. We use it by starting in October/November with playing playlists with fireworks sounds.

Desensitization and counterconditioning
These two training methods are often used in combination to get the dog used to certain situations, to change unwanted behavior into desired behavior. The unwanted behavior is caused by emotions, such as stress, fear or frustration and the dog is taught to become less sensitive/to react (=desensitize) to a certain trigger. This can be certain people (children, man with cap, woman with umbrella), other animals or certain places/sounds/events (glass container is emptied).

In desensitization (also called systematic desensitization) the dog is gradually and long-term exposed to the trigger. Starting with minimal exposure and gradually increasing this.

Counterconditioning is relearning what effect (emotions) a trigger gives. And because we want to have a positive feeling, we link rewards to the triggers. So for example, every time a child is seen, a candy is given.

Combined, it basically means that starting with minimal exposure, the dog learns that there is no danger and the trigger even means a treat. This process is repeated over and over, with the distance eventually getting shorter and the sounds getting louder, but the number of treats staying the same.

BAT training
Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) is a training in a controlled environment, where the focus is on desensitizing certain tigers. In this form of learning, the dog has almost complete control over the process, where the handler (the owner or dog trainer) only implements some adjustment when seeing stress and for the sake of safety.
It is primarily intended for dogs that are anxious and/or insecure and may therefore exhibit aggressive behavior.

A long (5 meter) leash is used, so that the dog has a lot of freedom of movement and can explore the environment itself. A 'distractor' is also used, often in the form of a trigger that the dog in question has difficulty with in daily life. Such as another dog or a cyclist/moped. The distractor is at a great distance, so that the dog can slowly get used to the situation at its own pace. An important element is that the handler looks closely at the dog and does not exert any pressure to force the interaction (by going to the trigger). When the dog approaches the trigger with an indication that goes beyond curiosity, the handler will subtly increase the distance again via the leash.

Clicker training
A reward training based on positive reinforcement, using a clicker. It is mainly intended for teaching new things, such as commands. It is a way to communicate clearly with your dog, through the right timing. At the exact moment that your buddy shows a desired behavior, you click on the clicker and the sound it produces is an indication to your dog that this is what you want to see because a reward always follows (often a treat). If you accidentally click the clicker, your buddy is lucky because a treat will also follow. When your dog has completely mastered the command, you can leave the clicker out and give less and less rewards, alternate between rewards (good behavior and pats) or sometimes with and sometimes without a treat.

Finally
Many training methods have similarities, but also differences. It is important to realize that every dog ​​is unique and reacts differently to certain situations when determining which method can work effectively with your dog. Try to find out which reward motivates your best friend, which treat is the tastiest or maybe trainers are not that interesting at all, but the ball is. And by the way, what you experience as pleasant does not necessarily mean that your buddy likes it. The other way around can also happen... If your dog jumps against you and you push him away, he may actually really like the attention (because attention is attention).

Training with your dog is a great way to strengthen the bond between you, improve your communication and you will also get to know your buddy better. Be aware that the moment you notice that training causes stress or frustration for you or your dog, it is time to try something else.

Of course, you can always seek help/advice from a dog trainer or behaviorist. In theory, the difference between these two is that a behaviorist uses classical conditioning and a dog trainer uses operant conditioning.

Just as there are different training methods and theories, there are also many different professionals with their own working methods.
There are 'positive' dog trainers/schools that work exclusively on the basis of positive reinforcement and are against corrections in principle. And there are 'balanced' trainers that use several different principles or methods. Often with corrections, but then in the form of negative punishment/correction such as ignoring unwanted behavior and turning your back. And there are trainers that work according to the 'Alpha/leadership' method.

At the beginning of this article I talked about the different camps that have emerged. One criticizes the other and this and that method would be very bad for your dog.
I can't stress this enough..; ​​you know your dog best. My advice would be: do some research, inform yourself, ask questions and try different things. Only do something that you and your best friend (!) feel comfortable with and don't let yourself be pressured.

I have tried to write this article as concise and neutral as possible. If you want to read more about the topics, you can consult the sources below.
And of course you can always contact us for questions and advice 🐶😇

Source:
https://www.wshs-dg.org/resource-center/ask-the-trainer/131-ask-the-trainer/414-science-and-art-of-dog-training#:~:text=In%20Operant%20Conditioning%20Theory%2C%20there,thing%20that%20comes%20to%20mind.
https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/news/do-you-really-understand-positive-reinforcement
https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/counter-classical-or-counter-operant
https://grishastewart.com/8-bat-myths-suggested-revisions-for-clinical-behavioral-medicine-2/#:~:text=MYTH%20%234%3A%20BAT%20is%20just,the% 20dog%20and%20fewer%20distractions
https://spcawake.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/FearfulPetDesensitization.pdf

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