{"id":115,"date":"2012-01-02T18:04:03","date_gmt":"2012-01-02T18:04:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.garniesdogblog.com\/?page_id=115"},"modified":"2013-08-09T22:24:18","modified_gmt":"2013-08-09T22:24:18","slug":"learning-blog","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.garniesdogblog.com\/?page_id=115","title":{"rendered":"Learning Blog"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"learner<\/a><\/p>\n

The boys and I have been on a pretty steep learning curve over the past few years as I have striven to address our many problems, both mine as their ‘guardian’ and them as a pair of strays with a tonne load of baggage.<\/p>\n

In seeking to find ways to resolve all our issues I have become interested in training and behaviour to a point at which I have decided to set myself the goal of becoming a KCAI<\/a>.\u00c2\u00a0 This blog is about some of my experiences and my sources of help; not about telling others how to do it.\u00c2\u00a0 I hope that by sharing others may find some help but every dog is different and you will have to weigh up and evaluate my sources in the light of your own circumstances.<\/p>\n

For anyone coming to this blog without knowing me I am starting on the road to becoming a KCAI having retired from a previous career so my focus is more on the journey than the end.\u00c2\u00a0 I want to learn all I can and deepen my understanding of dogs and how to share this with those who have responsibility for their well-being.\u00c2\u00a0 I hope that in time the qualification will follow it is not my raison d’\u00c3\u00aatre.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please note – I am not an expert.\u00c2\u00a0 In posting this blog I seek to give people with problems hope that they too can find a solution to their difficulties but, with the exception of the mildest problems I would certainly advise seeking professional help.<\/p>\n

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15th April 2013 \u00c2\u00a0 <\/strong>(draft)<\/p>\n

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Barking \u00e2\u20ac\u201c an experience of changing a behaviour using force-free methods<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

<\/b>Some months ago Arnie started barking excitedly when I got up in the morning; while I am not in favour of stopping every display of excitement this was loud, prolonged and likely to disturb the neighbours.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>He would start while I was getting dressed, which often sparked George off, and this would continue until I freed them from their sleeping area. The issue had to be addressed.
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Learning theory says that if a dog (or one of us for that matter) finds any action is reinforced (rewarded) it is more likely to be repeated.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>An action that is not reinforced is less likely to be repeated.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In view of the theory I looked at Arnie\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s behaviour and what might or might not be reinforcing.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>I decided that he was asking for attention, so that could be used to provide or deny an element of reward.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>Petting\/praise\/release would provide the ultimate reinforcement along with food rewards (food always being a top reward for A).\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>I was also aware that barking is, for many dogs, its own reward and that the ultimate success might depend on the comparative value that Arnie placed on barking compared with the rewards I could offer.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>I was\u00c2\u00a0 confident however that the later would eventually prove to be the more reinforcing.<\/span><\/p>\n

For weeks, as I went down the stairs (he could see me the whole way from the bedroom to the gate that kept them in at night) if he barked I turned away (withdrew attention) and stood still until there was a break in the barking.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>At that instant I would resume my progress down stairs, often only achieving one stair at a time. <\/span><\/p>\n

This continued for a number of weeks and at times I did feel despairing but stuck with my faith that learning theory would eventually win the day.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, out of the blue, having until that point only had small and somewhat erratic improvements, he let me get downstairs without a peep.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>As soon as I reached the gate, I gave a load of treats (they had been left handy in preparation) and praised and petted him.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I was thrilled with what I saw a breakthrough but was firmly returned to earth the next morning when all was back to square one.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>It was probably about two weeks before we had another silent day but from that time on they came with increasing frequency until, within another few weeks, he was quiet more often than not.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Now he just stays in bed until I get downstairs and there is rarely a peep out of him.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Review of the training processes used<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I should just like to remind people that I am not an expert but this is my understanding of that was going on: <\/span><\/p>\n

The attention, praise, petting and food are all positive rewards, which represent my preferred method of training<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking my attention away, ie ensuring Arnie was not getting rewarded for a bad behaviour is, I think, classified as negative punishment, i.e. I have taken something away that he wanted.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>While I would always rather teach an alternative, incompatable behaviour, sometimes it is necessary to use a process such as turning away to ensure that reinforcement of an unwanted behaviour does not occur.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>For dogs almost any attention may be reinforcing.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>(I was interested that a friend who has been learning about child-care said that young children are also unable to differentiate properly between good and bad attention) Punishment will not necessarily change a behaviour but it may very well break down the trust between dog and owner.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>A high price to pay for something that may not work when the use of rewards and teaching alternative behaviours will both resolve problems and enhance the relationship between dog and owner<\/span>\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My final comment is that behavioural change can take time to achieve.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>Consistency and patience are key to change.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>If however you have safety concerns or behaviour deteriorates while you are training please consult a professional.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span>(ABPC<\/a>, CAPBT<\/a>) <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0The video below looks at the use of positive training and teaching alternative behaviours<\/p>\n