If somebody ever invents an overshadowing Bingo recreation, Lewis and I’ll win!
About Overshadowing
Generally a stimulus we attempt to classically situation has a couple of side that may be sensed, like an object that may be each seen and smelled. This sort of stimulus known as a compound stimulus. The phenomenon of overshadowing might happen when compound stimuli are conditioned as a result of one of many easy stimuli will possible stop the opposite/s from being conditioned absolutely or in any respect.
I not too long ago encountered a scenario the place probably 5 completely different stimuli have been “competing” to be classically conditioned. And of these 5, the one almost definitely to “win” the conditioning was not the one which I wanted probably the most. I needed to sort out the issue, as a result of it was in a coaching undertaking that was necessary for Lewis’ wellbeing.
Oromucosal Drugs Administration
Lewis has been identified with sound phobia to fireworks and thunderstorms, and certainly one of his drugs is to be delivered topically to his gum and cheek tissue.
The directions for administering this medication require that the human put on protecting gloves in order to not contact the medicinal gel, which may be absorbed via, for instance, a minimize within the pores and skin. Gloves are a brand new factor for Lewis.
I thought of whether or not I ought to use classical conditioning to assist him have a optimistic response to the gloves and gathered up what I wanted. I take advantage of disposable kitchen gloves for lots of duties, in order that’s what I obtained out. Whoa! These gloves make a particular noisy rattle when touched or manipulated. You possibly can’t even get them out of the field with out the canine listening to them.
You in all probability see the place that is going.
I wished Lewis to have good emotions concerning the gloves. However what side of them? What number of issues are probably completely different for a canine while you put a glove in your hand for a husbandry job, one that features placing your finger within the canine’s mouth? How about:
the sight of the glove on the hand
the sound the glove makes
the sensation of being touched by a gloved hand
the odor of the glove
the style of the glove
We’ve probably obtained all 5 senses concerned; the gloves current a compound stimulus.
Bingo?
How about one other checklist? What number of issues concerning the gloves would possibly hassle Lewis? No have to repeat; it’s the identical checklist. However realizing him, I’d guess that having a gloved finger caught in his mouth between his cheek and gums would bug him probably the most. However of all these, the sound usually occurs first, and is tremendous salient. How can I classically situation the mouth contact with out it being overshadowed by the crackle of the glove?
The Surroundings Would Like a Phrase
The plastic kitchen gloves I’ve are terrible for the atmosphere. I’d make a special determination now. There is no such thing as a excellent disposable glove but, however latex is made out of rubber and a few latex gloves may be biodegradable. Reusable rubber gloves could be higher than what I’ve, however they’re too cumbersome for this job with this canine. Be happy to remark with solutions.
Options to the Overshadowing Drawback
So, how do I guarantee that Lewis has optimistic emotions about being touched (within the mouth) by the gloves, on condition that classical conditioning is extra prone to connect to the sound of them? Listed below are the chances I thought-about.
Completely different gloves: I’m positive a few of you’re internally screaming an answer. Get completely different gloves! Quieter ones! Good concept. I’ll be searching for a more sensible choice. However within the meantime, I’ll proceed with what I’ve.
Workarounds: There are some issues I may attempt to do concerning the sound. I may placed on the gloves in a far a part of the home and play masking sounds whereas I did that, simply to make sure. Then I may method Lewis and do no matter step of the plan comes subsequent. Present him a gloved hand, deal with. Or contact him with a gloved finger, deal with. That would stop a number of the predictive energy of rattling the gloves. However once I present him or contact him, the gloves will nonetheless make noise.
Use an operant coaching plan: That is the answer I selected. The gloves weren’t scary to Lewis; they have been simply new and bizarre. So fairly than aiming for classical conditioning, I went for desensitization coupled with operant conditioning.
For our first session, I tossed him a few treats once I obtained the gloves out. Then I strengthened sniffing the glove, nose-targeting the glove whereas I held it loosely, and nose-targeting it whereas it was on my hand. Then I requested him to do a chin relaxation on a towel in my lap with the glove on high. Lewis mentioned, “That is straightforward cash!”
Within the subsequent classes, I had the glove on my proper hand and touched his cheek whereas I held his muzzle with my left. We had beforehand labored on this step with out the glove.
The video contains excerpts from the three coaching classes the place we progressed from him accepting my finger in his mouth to accepting my gloved finger in his mouth. We spent six to seven minutes of coaching over three classes, which was extra time than he wanted.
Watch with sound if you wish to hear how noisy the gloves are (and listen to me say, “Good boy!” a couple of thousand occasions).
Hyperlink to the video.
Going Ahead
The operant work with the gloves made them predictors of fine issues (classical conditioning rode alongside). This work gave Lewis a terrific basis for the subsequent step: placing a syringe between his cheek and gum whereas sporting gloves. The gloved finger was a superb early substitute for the syringe.
Compound Stimuli
A number of simultaneous stimuli are occurring on a regular basis. When presenting an object, you possibly can wager that almost all canine will odor it in addition to see it. A number of visible stimuli make noises, too. As one textbook factors out, it’s virtually unimaginable to keep away from a number of stimuli (Pierce & Cheney, 2008, p. 58). This expertise has made me take into consideration them much more. The Bingo recreation isn’t all that uncommon. I’m happy I discovered a method to win this time.
Thanks to the a number of professionals who supplied supplies and direct assist for Lewis’ husbandry coaching. I couldn’t have carried out it alone!
Copyright 2025 Eileen Anderson
References
Pierce, W. D., & Cheney, C. D. (2008). Conduct evaluation and studying (4th ed.). Psychology Press.
