Rewarding Your Dog: Why and How it Works
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
UPDATED: Mar 23, 2024
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We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Mar 23, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
Teaching dogs to behave in response to a command is an integral part of enjoying canine companions. Learning to sit, stay and walk on a leash makes it possible for dogs and humans to co-exist peacefully in a variety of situations. In training these behaviors, reward based reinforcement is recommended as the safest and most effective option.
Reward based training is the process by which each desired behavior results in a positive outcome and undesirable behavior does not yield the desired outcome. For example, the dog sits and is given a treat. The dog does not sit and no treat is forthcoming.
Using positive reinforcement or rewards to train behavior creates a pleasant training environment for both trainer and dog. Dogs that are given treats, physically rewarded (petting), and praised in response to offering desired behaviors are typically more willing and anxious to work to learn new things than those who are trained via the use of aversive stimuli.
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Rewards vs. Punishment
A simple example is a dog trained with positive reinforcement happily wagging his tail and offering to sit or shake while waiting for his owner to start dispensing treats. Alternatively, dogs who are accustomed to receiving punishment for bad behavior often shy away from additional training, such as moving away from a trainer applying a shock collar.
Both methods can work to modify behavior, but rewards offered as positive reinforcement are arguably more effective, more fun for owner and dog, and don’t have the potential negative side effects often seen with punishment.
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Operant Conditioning
Reward-based training also referred to as a form of operant conditioning by behaviorists, is focused on altering a dog’s voluntary behavior. The principle is that any behavior that is positively reinforced will occur with increased frequency. The dog that is petted when he sits quietly at the owner’s feet will continue to offer that behavior in an effort to achieve the desired outcome. Dogs that receive an owner’s attention after jumping on the owner will continue to offer that behavior.
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Making Reward-Based Training Most Effective
- The optimal time for reinforcement is 0.5 seconds after the behavior has occurred.
- Intermittently reinforcing behaviors is more effective than reinforcing them every time.
- High quality rewards, those the dog desires most will be most effective.
- Training should be done when motivation to obtain the reward is high.
- Use small rewards to avoid satiation, which will decrease motivation.
- Keep commands short, dogs respond to simple commands such as “sit” or “stay” better than long sentences, such as “Please sit by my feet, Spot.”
- Be consistent. All those interacting with the dog should use the same words or phrases for the desired behavior.
- Be sure to reward only the desired behavior.
Gradual Steps
Most reward-based training is done via successive approximation where the desired behavior is trained gradually in a series of increasingly more complex steps.
For example, when training a dog to go into a crate, the dog might first be rewarded for going near and investigating the crate. The dog then associates the crate as being a good place to be where rewards are given. Next, the trainer might reward the dog when he touches the crate, enters the crate, lies down in the crate, etc.
Some trainers also use a conditioned reinforcer to aid in training. A popular example is a clicker. With the clicker, an irrelevant sound is made by the trainer alongside the delivery of the reinforcement, reward or treat.
An example might be that the clicker sounds each time the dog sits or lies down in the crate. Over time, the clicker can replace the treat as the method of reinforcement. Intermittently offering the clicker or food when the dog is in his crate can increase the longevity of the dog completing the desired behavior. In this instance, the behavior would be lying down in the crate.
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Rewards All-Around
Operant conditioning using positive reinforcements or rewards is one of the most effective methods for training dogs and is devoid of serious side effects that might damage a human-animal bond. Reward based training is excellent at training dogs to do new tasks, but not as efficacious at solving pre-existing behavior problems. (For more information, read our “4 Fun Ways To Bond with Your Puppy“).
Operant conditioning can be used to suppress undesired behaviors such as excessive barking or property destruction, but it ignores emotional motivation which is what drives behavior. Excessive barking may be due to anxiety or fear and property destruction may be related to separation anxiety.
Dogs that are in a good emotional state are the most capable of learning new and desired behaviors. If a dog is behaving in an aggressive or destructive manner that threatens its well-being or the well-being of other people and animals, consultation with an animal behavior expert and qualified dog trainer is strongly recommended.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is reward-based training for dogs?
Reward-based training is a method where desired behaviors are reinforced with positive outcomes, such as treats, praise, or physical rewards. Undesirable behaviors are not rewarded, creating a positive training environment.
Why is reward-based training recommended?
Reward-based training is considered safe and effective. Dogs respond positively to treats, praise, and physical rewards, making them more willing to learn new behaviors. It avoids the potential negative side effects often associated with punishment-based training.
What is operant conditioning in dog training?
Operant conditioning, a form of reward-based training, focuses on altering a dog’s voluntary behavior. It posits that behaviors positively reinforced will occur more frequently. For example, a dog rewarded for sitting will continue to offer that behavior to receive the desired outcome.
How can reward-based training be most effective?
The most effective reward-based training involves gradual steps, using successive approximation. For instance, when crate training a dog, reward each step of the process, from approaching the crate to lying down inside. Conditioned reinforcers like clickers can also aid in training.
Can reward-based training solve pre-existing behavior problems?
While reward-based training is excellent for teaching new tasks, it may not be as effective in solving pre-existing behavior problems. For issues like excessive barking or property destruction related to emotional motivations, consultation with an animal behavior expert and a qualified dog trainer is recommended.
How does positive reinforcement differ from punishment in dog training?
Positive reinforcement involves rewarding desired behaviors, creating a pleasant training environment. Punishment, on the other hand, involves negative consequences for undesirable behaviors and can have potential negative side effects on the human-animal bond.
Is reward-based training suitable for all dogs?
Yes, reward-based training is generally suitable for all dogs. Dogs respond positively to rewards, making the training process enjoyable for both the trainer and the dog. However, individual dogs may have unique needs, and consultation with a professional is recommended for specific cases.
How can pet insurance help with veterinary bills?
et insurance can cover up to 90% of veterinary bills when a pet is sick or injured. It provides financial assistance for necessary medical care, ensuring that pet owners can afford the treatment their pets need.
How can I find the best rates for pet insurance?
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Is there a specific resource for learning more about pet insurance?
Yes, Pet Insurance U is a free online resource dedicated to providing information about pet insurance. Regularly updated, it offers objective, third-party insights into various pet insurance providers, ensuring that pet owners can make informed decisions.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.