There is so much about learning that happens without the intention to actually learn it. Different types of reinforcement either teach another or we learn ourselves. It is interesting to note that the way in which we reinforce behaviors in our dog can be classified with different timings and different schedules.
1. If you don’t always give him a reward for a response it is called a Variable Ratio (VR) Response. It is like what the gambler encounters. The benefit of winning feels so good to thim that he will keep playing in the hopes of winning all over again. This would be like when your dog is wanting to take a walk. He never actually knows when the walk will happen, but he is always ready for it, right?
2. Then there are Fixed Ration (FR) Responses. Ths is entirely effective when teaching a dog a series of tricks. He does know initially that he will get a treat when he sits. Eventually he learns that he only gets a treat when he sits, stands up, turns around and lies down again. With this technique a dog can remember a series of tricks. The reward system is always there, but only after a fixed amount of tricks.
3. Then there is Fixed-Interval (FI) Schedules that give reinforcement of the first response within a certain time frame. Using a human example makes it easier to understand. It is like not being eligible to participate in a contest if it has been less than 60 days since previous participation. Begging usually doesn’t work accepting the times when there are lots of people sitting around a table and then lots of plates stack up to go back into the kitchen. Otherwise he won’t even ask for food. He has learned that there is a timing to when and where that miscellaneous treat may happen.
4. Now if the dog gets scraps sometimes now and again, these are called Variable Interval (VI) Schedules. At different times you reward his “begging” behavior. Repeated begging behaviors would be provoked in this way. Even though it appears as if the dog is always doing his beg routine, the dogs actual expectancy of reward is probably decreased. Hence, when you now ask him to “leave”, he does so without even a glance back. He has actually learned in this case that rewards are varied.
If you consider these different schedules and realize how you participate in all of them, then changing your behavior will get the result that you want. Yep, it is your fault if your dog begs. Somewhere along the long you keep saying it is OK with your actions. If your dog easily responds to “go away” or “no” when begging, then you taught him that. Being aware is the best teacher. Your attention to learning from your experiences will make you a better dog parent. Enjoy the journey!
By
Dr. Marika Zoll
DrDogTalk.com
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