Dog training 101 - Negative Discouragement and Operant Conditioning

Have you heard of the term Operant Conditioning? This is a scientific theory behind learning, both in animals and humans. There are 4 quadrants to Operant Conditioning; last week, we dove into positive discouragement, this week we are tackling negative discouragement, the final quadrant of operant conditioning.

If you missed the first week's post about positive reinforcement, you can catch up with it here! The post about negative reinforcement is here and last weeks post on positive discouragement is here.

Operant conditioning is a learning principle that was developed by psychologist B.F. Skinner in the early 20th century. It is based on the idea that behaviours are influenced by the consequences that follow them. In essence, behaviours that are rewarded tend to be repeated, while those that are punished tend to diminish.

Before we get started, let me make a few things crystal clear:

• I’m not a dog trainer yet; I’m on my way to becoming one. Everything I share here comes from what I’ve learned in my journey toward becoming a qualified dog trainer.

• In this theory, "negative" and "positive" don’t refer to bad and good. Instead, they mean to remove or add something, much like in math.

  For example, giving your dog a treat is considered positive because you’re adding something enjoyable to the situation. On the other hand, not fussing over your dog when they jump up is seen as negative because you’re removing attention.

• Reinforcement means to encourage the frequency of a behaviour, and discouragement (usually referred to as punishment) is to reduce the frequency of a behaviour.

• I’m not promoting punishment as a way to correct a dog’s behaviour. I have used the word discouragement instead of punishment to help you understand this. This information is meant to help you understand Operant Conditioning, how it works, and the best methods you can use for training your dog at home.

Here's a quick breakdown of the quadrants:

Positive Reinforcement - Adding a reward to increase the frequency of a behaviour.

Negative Reinforcement - Removing something to increase the frequency of a behaviour.

Positive Discouragement - Adding something to decrease the frequency of a behaviour.

Negative Discouragement - Removing something to decrease the frequency of a behaviour.

In today's post, we will focus on negative discouragement, what it means and how it works.

The Basics - What is Negative Discouragement (punishment)?

Negative Discouragement (or punishment) refers to the removal of a stimulus or the withholding of a reward to decrease the likelihood of a behaviour occurring again.

Negative discouragement is employed more often than you might realise, even if it is not your intention to do so.

It’s important to remember that you cannot train your dog using only one quadrant of operant conditioning; you will likely be using multiple quadrants at any given time.

Here are a few examples:

• Your dog is pulling on the lead. You stop walking, which removes something enjoyable for the dog (the act of walking) to discourage the pulling—this is negative punishment. When the lead becomes loose, you resume walking. This is positive reinforcement, as you are adding something (the walking) that the dog appreciates as a reward for having a loose lead.

• Your dog is digging in the back garden, so you bring them inside and close the door. By removing them from the garden—an environment they likely enjoy—you are discouraging the digging behaviour. Once they appear settled, you can allow them back into the garden and offer praise and rewards for refraining from digging.

• Your dog is playing with you on the bed, but becomes overly excited and starts to nip. You send your dog off the bed, thereby removing both the play and the bed from the situation to discourage that nippy behaviour. Once they have calmed down, you can allow them back on the bed.

• Your dog jumps up at you when you walk through the door due to their excitement to see you. By not petting your dog or giving them attention, you are withholding reinforcement to reduce the likelihood of this behaviour happening again. When your dog has all four paws on the floor, you can then give them the attention they seek.

Building a strong bond is cruial

Using negative discouragement is necessary, just as all the other quadrants are. However, it is essential to understand your dog's limits and avoid overdoing it.

You need to pay attention to your dog's body language, and if at any point they appear scared, anxious, or overly uncomfortable, you should stop whatever you are doing.

Every dog is unique, but no one knows your dog better than you do. Be smart, be creative, and be consistent.

As with all training, consistency and timing are crucial!

Often, negative discouragement is paired with a negative marker word—a term that your dog learns to associate with behaviour they shouldn’t be exhibiting. By introducing this word, you add an element of positive discouragement to the mix, as you are incorporating a verbal cue to discourage a behaviour. This word should be short, simple, and stern, such as a firm "No" or "Ah!"

Can you see how each of the quadrants interconnects?

Training a dog requires more than just treats

Don’t forget that if these training techniques are applied incorrectly, they can actually increase undesirable behaviours rather than reduce them. Signs of overdoing it include aggression, anxiety, and destructive behaviours.

Training should be enjoyable for both you and your dog; at no point should your dog experience pain, discomfort, or fear. It’s essential to build a trusting bond between you and your dog, as such relationships tend to yield the best outcomes in training. A dog that trusts you is far more likely to respond positively than a fearful one.

There you have it! We have explored the four quadrants of operant conditioning. I hope this has clarified things for you and provided insight into the realities of dog training.

Understanding the theory behind learning is crucial, as it enables you to expand your training toolbox and connect the quadrants to shape the behaviours you desire from your dog.

We ask a great deal of our dogs. They enter our homes and society, and we expect them to know how to behave. When they don’t meet these expectations, it can lead to frustration, anger, or confusion.

The truth is, it is our responsibility to teach our dogs what is expected of them and to cultivate those behaviours through trust, love, and loyalty. By guiding our dogs, we can forge a strong bond between us and ensure we have a well (ish) behaved companion in the end.

Here are a few key points to take away from operant conditioning:

• Dogs are not purposefully naughty. They may not understand what you are asking of them, may not know the correct behaviour, may be rewarded for undesired behaviours, or there could be an underlying issue (such as a health concern) at play.

• A behaviour will only persist if it is being rewarded.

• A dog that does not listen likely does not comprehend the command, or the reward may not be motivating enough.

• Using punishment methods, such as hitting your dog, is unacceptable. Abusing your dog to achieve a desired behaviour is not the right approach to training and will likely lead to worse behaviours.

• You cannot train using just one quadrant; for the best results, you should incorporate two or more into your techniques.

Avoid punishment methods such as hitting

In conclusion, understanding the principles of operant conditioning is essential for effective dog training. By recognising that our dogs are not intentionally misbehaving, we can approach their training with patience and empathy. It’s crucial to remember that behaviours are shaped by rewards and that a trusting relationship built on love and guidance leads to the best outcomes. Avoid punitive methods that can harm the bond between you and your dog, and instead, focus on using a combination of techniques that incorporate multiple quadrants of operant conditioning. By doing so, you’ll not only teach your dog the behaviours you desire but also foster a strong, positive connection that will benefit both of you in the long run.

See you next week as we dive into another important aspect of dog training!

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