Category Archives: Punishment

Let’s Talk about Using Aversives in Training. I’ll Go First!

Posted on June 11, 2014 by eileenanddogs

Today’s post is about being  thoughtful about the use of aversives. I write about that frequently, so how about if I describe what I mean by “thoughtful”? I am going to present a description of an aversive method I used to use. I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavior analysis, Escape/Avoidance, Human body language, Negative Reinforcement, Punishment, Terminology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

Bark Busters: Promoting Facts or Myths?

Posted on April 7, 2014 by eileenanddogs

A friend recently shared a flyer from Bark Busters, a dog training franchise business. It is called “Barking: The Facts” and can be seen at this link. (This is a special link to avoid raising their incoming click stats and you … Continue reading →

Posted in Human and dog misunderstandings, Punishment, Punishment culture, Reactivity, Stress Signals | Tagged , , , , , , | 89 Comments

Is Hide and Seek All Fun and Games?

Posted on December 13, 2013 by eileenanddogs

Eric Brad posted a really great question this last summer on his FaceBook page, Canine Nation. Yes, it’s December now. It takes me this long to mull things over sometimes. Have any of you ever used a technique for teaching/encouraging … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavior analysis, Fear, Negative Reinforcement, Play, Punishment | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments

Goodie or Doodie? A Changing Antecedent

Posted on December 9, 2013 by eileenanddogs

Priiiiiiingggggg! I use WordPress.com to host this blog. It has a smartphone app. The app is most useful to me for checking statistics and getting notifications. The app has a pleasant little sound effect. You can assign it to sound … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavior analysis, Classical conditioning, Cues, Punishment, Reinforcement | Tagged , | 22 Comments

Shut Down Dogs (Part 2)

Posted on November 21, 2013 by eileenanddogs

This is Part 2 of a two-part series. In Shut Down Dogs, Part 1 I talked about the fact that people appear to believe and say that a shut down dog is relaxed or calm since it is motionless. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Dog body language, Fear, Punishment, Shock Collars, Stress Signals | Tagged , , , | 37 Comments

But if You Use Negative Reinforcement Aren’t You Also Using Positive Punishment?

Posted on November 19, 2013 by eileenanddogs

Surprisingly, no. Not necessarily. You could actually get my answer to this question by reading this other post: Only If The Behavior Decreases!  But of course I’m writing some more anyway. This issue was a big stumbling block for me when … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavior analysis, Negative Reinforcement, Positive Reinforcement, Punishment, Reinforcement, Terminology | Tagged | 14 Comments

But Isn’t it Punishment to Withhold the Treat?

Posted on October 17, 2013 by eileenanddogs

Lots and lots of people think that if you withhold the treat you are punishing the dog. Some will ask the above question in a gleeful, challenging way, feeling certain that they have caught the positive reinforcement based trainers in … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavior analysis, Extinction, Operant conditioning, Punishment, Terminology, Training philosophy | Tagged , , | 26 Comments

Only if the Behavior Decreases!

Posted on September 30, 2013 by eileenanddogs

This post is paired with “Only if the Behavior Increases!” You knew I would get around to talking about punishment, right? Q: If you yell at your dog when she barks, is that positive punishment? A: Only if the barking … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavior analysis, Operant conditioning, Positive Reinforcement, Punishment, Reinforcement | Tagged | 9 Comments

Only if the Behavior Increases!

Posted on September 30, 2013 by eileenanddogs

This post is paired with “Only if the Behavior Decreases!“ Pop quiz: Q: If I give my dog a piece of kibble whenever she sits, is that positive reinforcement? A: Only if sitting increases. It sounds simple, doesn’t it, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavior analysis, Operant conditioning, Positive Reinforcement, Punishment, Reinforcement | Tagged | 6 Comments

But I Want to Use All the Tools in the Tool Box!

Posted on August 16, 2013 by eileenanddogs

Have you heard the one about the toolbox? This is the sixth in a series that details and rebuts fallacious arguments against force free training. Today’s erroneous argument is directly related to “But Every Dog is Different!” in that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Punishment, Punishment culture, Reinforcement, Training philosophy | Tagged , , , , , | 37 Comments