Training Techniques

Operant Conditioning

With operant conditioning, learning occurs when the behavior is strenthened if followed with a reinforcer or diminished with a punisher. Shaping is the operant conditioning procedure where reinforcers guide behavior to a new desired behavior. This is done by reinforcing particular actions in order to increase their likelihood in an individual. It's a very common way to perform basic dog training. A researcher, named Graham, identified that you can first teach an animal one unconditioned stimulus and then introduce a new one. This is the concept I used to train Motzart to dance with dog treats as his positive reinforcer.

Teaching Momo to Dance

The first thing I did was teach him to stand on his hind legs on command. Then I would say the command while moving the treat in a circle above him. He would follow the treat after many practice runs reinforced by the treats. He then begins to connect the command with the action of twirling on his hind legs. To maintain his tricks he recieves treats for performing them as continuous reinforcement.