Timing Is Everything When Training Your Dog

There is so much about learning that happens without the intention to actually learn it.  Different types of reinforcement either teach another or we learn ourselves. It is interesting to note that the way in which we reinforce behaviors in our dog can be classified with different timings and different schedules.

1. If you don’t always give him a reward for a response it is called a Variable Ratio (VR) Response. What a gambler encounters must be much the same. winning far outweighs anything else so he will keep playing in hopes of it happening over and over again. When the dogs behavior indicates he wants to take a walk, it is the same as this. Despite not knowing really when the walk will occur, he is always ready, right?

2. Then there are Fixed Ration (FR) Responses. Ths is entirely effective when teaching a dog a series of tricks. Initially he knows that when he sits he gets a treat. The dog eventually knows that the only way he will get the treat is if he does all the tricks first in just that order; sit, stand up, lie down, rollover, stand up again and sit. This technique encourages the memory of several tricks at once. The reward system is always there, but only after a fixed amount of tricks.

3. Then there is Fixed-Interval (FI) Schedules that give reinforcement of the first response within a certain time frame. Using a human example makes it easier to understand. It is like not being eligible to participate in a contest if it has been less than 60 days since previous participation. Dogs learn that begging for food does not work unless it is after dinner and there are scraps left on the dishes. Otherwise he does not even ask for food. He has learned that there is a timing to when and where that miscellaneous treat may happen.

4. Now if the dog gets scraps sometimes now and again, these are called Variable Interval (VI) Schedules. At different times you reward his “begging” behavior. More begging behaviors would be encouraged in this way. Even though it appears as if the dog is always doing his beg routine, the dogs actual expectancy of reward is probably decreased. Hence, when you now ask him to “leave”, he does so without even a glance back. He has learned now in this case that rewards are varied.

If you consider these different schedules and realize how you participate in all of them, then changing your behavior will get the result that you want. A begging dog learned that from you. If your dog easily responds to “go away” or “no” when begging, then you taught him that. Being aware is the best teacher. Your willingness to learn from your experiences will make you a better dog parent. Enjoy the journey!

By

Dr. Marika Zoll

DrDogTalk.com