Positive reinforcement occurs when an animal receives something it desires for doing a behavior 1. When negative reinforcement learning has been achieved, the animal performs the desired behaviour when the unpleasant experience is predicted so as to prevent the experience from occurring. The animal will then perform behaviours to escape the stimulus and the unpleasant stimulus stops. To teach using negative reinforcement, it is necessary to provide a stimulus to the animal that is unpleasant enough that it cannot be ignored. Negative reinforcement refers to an animal becoming more likely to perform a behaviour in the future when trying to avoid or remove something unpleasant 1. In the context of training, the trainer or animal handler inflicts fear, pain or discomfort upon an animal as a consequence of performing undesirable behaviour. Punishment is a term that refers to the manipulation of consequences such that the punished behaviour is less likely to be repeated in the future 1. These consequences can be punishing or reinforcing.ĭefinitions of punishment, negative reinforcement and positive reinforcement Training involves the animal trainer manipulating the consequences the animal experiences as a result of its behaviour. Training is a term that refers to the act of teaching an animal new or different ways to behave in specific situations. This policy will help to inform veterinarians and the public of the importance of avoiding negative reinforcement and/or punishment in dog training, and the benefits of positive reinforcement. Training of dogs is best achieved through positive reinforcement.Īnimal behaviour education and assessment should be incorporated into mainstream veterinary practice. Punishment and negative reinforcement should not be used in attempts to change the behaviour of dogs.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |