CONTINGENCY USE in our BOARD & TRAIN PROGRAM:
🟰 Here at Benevolent Sun Dogs, we use Positive Reinforcement methods to reach our training goals for the dogs who stay here for our Board & Train program- but with an asterisk. We believe in structure, rules, and contingencies, which all work together to create a more confident and better-behaved dog. You’ll see in this video that I ignore or disregard the dogs when they choose to not follow my directives. Often in group, another dog is more interesting, or there is an arousal or threshold issue that is better addressed via one-on-one attention.
🟰Our main goal during a B&T is to get the dog to LOVE training…. to love working with you, the owner, when they go back home. Sure, we teach the basics, but we aren’t militant about it. If they choose to disengage and wander away during a session, we let them make that choice, but we’re also teaching them about CONTINGENCIES. The dog’s reinforcer (praise, treat, toy, environmental access) is contingent upon meeting the criteria we set. And the timing is CRUCIAL! Dogs live in the second, so your timing and delivery of the reinforcer must be spot on-- this is where a professional can help you.
🟰 The other factor at play during group obedience is a little bit of healthy competition- who can get the human’s attention? With a group of students (dogs or otherwise) you want to make sure that all compliance is rewarded, or you might miss a chance to reinforce an excellent behavior. Group obedience is an excellent way for dogs to bond together, as they’re doing an activity in a group. I really love to see the “shy” and “anxious” dogs blossom, once they witness the others and realize that they can do it too!
www.benevolentsundogs.com 🌅
Canine Behavior Modification & Training
Broward & Palm Beach Counties
16 сен 2024
