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56 4 Choosing the Right Method: Reinforcement vs Punishment

VetBooks.ir 4.4 Uses in Training ● In puppy training, to assist in teaching a
young dog not to bite people, new puppy
Professionals skilled in animal training have owners might be given two sets of instruc-
been using consequences to effectively train tions: (i) each time the puppy bites, thump
an animal’s behaviour long before the study it sharply on the nose to teach the puppy
of animal learning. The science is clear and that biting causes it discomfort. This is an
the practical applications are evident every- example of positive punishment, because it
where that behaviour is trained. Examples of decreases the likelihood that the puppy
this are provided below: will bite in the future; (ii) an alternative
approach that is sometimes taught is, each
● Falconry has been popular for centuries. time the puppy bites, the owner should
The bird’s natural hunting behaviour is stop playing and leave the puppy alone in
used in training; the birds will fly, search the room. The removal of play and atten-
for, and catch prey for the reinforcement tion serves as a negative punishment
derived from catching and eating the prey. because it reduces the likelihood that the
This behaviour occurs in the wild and can puppy will bite in the future (this technique
be harnessed in human care, where the is sometimes called a timeout).
prey functions as a positive reinforcer
increasing the likelihood of hunting behav-
iour occurring again in the future. 4.5 Misuses and Challenges
● In the search and rescue community, dogs
are trained to use their nose to find victims The fact that it is possible to train animals to
trapped or lost in a building. On comple- perform the desired behaviour in so many
tion of the task, some search and rescue different ways adds to the dilemma of which
dogs’ behaviour is reinforced after finding a methods to choose and which will be most
lost person with the opportunity to play effective? Part of the challenge in using any
with a squeaky toy, a tennis ball, or the method is in recognising that its effective-
chance to play a game of tug. For these dogs ness is based on using it properly and under-
these are examples of toys or play being standing that misuse can make even the best
used as positive reinforcement because the technique ineffective. A few of the key chal-
likelihood of expressing searching behav- lenges of applying consequences properly
iour will increase in the future. include the following:
● In typical horse riding, a horse is taught to
take riders from place to place. The rider 4.5.1 Timing
gives the horse direction through the use
of reins (straps affixed to a halter around Consequences have proven to be most effec-
the horse’s face and body); these reins are tive when they are delivered immediately
pulled in one direction or another to guide after a behaviour. The longer the gap between
the horse in a desired direction. The horse the completion of a behaviour and delivery of
will feel the pressure of the reins on one the consequence, the more likely that the ani-
side of his face and will move in the oppo- mal learns something other than what is
site direction to relieve the pressure. This intended. This is true of both reinforcements
is an example of a mild aversive, depending and punishments, as the following examples
on the force being used by the rider, which illustrate (Chance 2009; Kazdin 2001; Pierce
is used to change the animal’s behaviour and Cheney 2008).
and is an example of negative reinforce- Poorly timed punishment: a dog owner
ment because the likelihood of moving in returns home after a long day at work. He
the direction indicated is likely to increase comes into the house to find that his dog has
in the future. ripped up the sofa, broken several lamps, and