Behavior Problems as Solutions – The Other End of the Leash

I really like giving canines decisions, together with when it’s associated issues I need/want them to do. Right here’s an instance of the “Premack Precept,” which says that “extra possible behaviors act to bolster much less possible behaviors.” Most possible as a result of that’s what the canine/cat/little one/iguana needs to do, so it’s the proper reinforcement, proper? My model is a variant–the “most possible conduct” is usually the one which we name the “drawback conduct,”proper? In different phrases, use the issue to eliminate the issue, by giving canines a selection.

Working example: Right here’s Mr. Fantastic on the door we use typically to go to the barn pen, which can or could not include sheep. (There’s your variable reinforcement instance.) Skip is eight years outdated, happening eight months, and he nonetheless loses his marbles when he is aware of we’re about to go away the home and go to the barn. A lot of leaping and whining and, if allowed, would blithely knock me over, bash out the door, bounce off a automobile, and proceed operating, unabashed, to his objective. SHEEP SHEEP SHEEP SHEEP.

Evidently, that was a little bit of an issue. So–we now have a excessive likelihood conduct which can be an issue conduct that we have to flip round. This can be a easy one. Skip is aware of “get again” effectively, so three separate occasions I requested him to “get again” whereas on the door. When he did, fast as I may, I opened the door. The fourth time, I simply stood on the door and checked out him. It took awhile (Skip is, effectively, Skip), however I stayed nonetheless, not shifting, till lastly, his mind calmed down and kicked it, and he scooched backwards. Victory! I opened the door as quick as I may and let him out. Essentially the most possible/drawback conduct is now the answer.

Right here’s a video–watch fastidiously round second 42. It’s once I put my hand on the door latch, and he is aware of I gained’t open it till he backs up. I opened the door quickly as I may as soon as he did, and so they have been off to the races. (Notice: additionally added in recall for the heck of it, bu by no means would have completed that within the early levels of coaching.)

I wrote one other submit in 2020 about this identical subject, when Skip grew to become transfixed by the cats three days after he arrived. What Skip wished was to stare, hypnotically, at Nellie (most possible = most problematic = greatest reinforcement). I began instructing him Depart It, and bolstered it by letting him return to gazing Nellie (even when it was in the home, searching the window.)

I’m writing about it once more as a result of I feel this idea — the issue equals the answer — is under-utilized and never effectively understood. A lot of individuals learn the feedback, so I’d find it irresistible should you would supply your individual examples. (Sorry you’ll be able to’t ship in movies on a weblog submit, want you could possibly.) Regale us together with your tales of  the way you turned drawback X into good conduct Y through the use of X as a reinforcement.

MEANWHILE, again on the farm: Snow! Lastly snow! It’s been gray and brown and brown and gray without end right here. (One other phrase has been inserted earlier than the phrase “without end” when speaking to buddies. I do love alliteration.) Skip is particularly thrilled, it could possibly’t be too chilly for him, Maggie loves it if the temp stays over 10 levels F or so, in any other case her beforehand frost-nipped pads begin hurting her. This morning it was 19, so all was good, and the canines bought a terrific romp.

Nevertheless, it’s about to be brutal quickly, so Miss Margaret can be going out to potty and little else. I’d dig out the booty gear however it’s not going to final, so it’s not price it. Climate like this makes our one blooming Amaryllis additional appreciated. I’ve gotten away with out shopping for extra by feeding them throughout the summer season and placing them within the cellar in fall.

Right here’s the subsequent one coming. I worry this {photograph} will get labeled as, uh, effectively, –not appropriate for youngsters, however I really like watching the buds creep their means out of the bulb, so there you might be. You gotta love botany.

Keep heat (or cool?), secure, dry, away from floods, fires, and the 4 Horsemen, and ship us your tales of utilizing the Premack Precept on people of any species. Human topics get additional factors! Skip and Maggie ship you their love.