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Jordan Rothman, CTC, CPDT-KA
Dog Trainer & Behavior Counselor
Roseland, NJ
973-650-1691
jordan@keencanines.net
Dog Trainer & Behavior Counselor
Roseland, NJ
973-650-1691
jordan@keencanines.net
FAQs
What is reward-based training?
This type of dog training is a friendly, non-aversive means of teaching your dog to perform
behaviors using food, toys, play, affection, access to things he/she wants, or anything else
that your dog would consider reinforcing and be willing to work for in a particular situation.
Behaviors that are reinforced are more likely to occur in the future. Reward-based
training is a way of increasing the frequency of behaviors that we like, and replacing the
ones that we don't.
Do I have to use food during training?
Your dog’s motivation is always in flux, meaning that what your dog finds motivating in one
context, he or she may not find motivating in another context. For example, if your dog
just ate and is full, he probably won’t be motivated to work for food, but he may be
motivated to work for his favorite toy instead. Food is one of the most powerful motivators,
and it can be used as both a target (to lure your dog into a desired position), and as the
reward. As your dog learns the behavior, you fade out the presence of the food, and
transition to requiring more behaviors for less rewards. Also, as a behavior is established,
the use of other rewards besides food should absolutely be incorporated. This includes
going for walks, play, door opening, ball throwing, cars rides, access to other dogs, and so
on. There is a saying in dog training: Control the motivator, control the dog.
How do dogs learn?
Dogs learn by the immediate consequences of their actions (Operant Conditioning) and by
association (Classical Conditioning). An example of learning by consequence would be
giving your dog praise and treats when she sits, thereby increasing the frequency of
sitting in the future. Learning by association has to do with anticipation and predictive
power. For example, dogs learn very quickly that the sound of a treat jar predicts food.
Both of these processes of learning are scientifically proven and are utilized in both
training and in working with behavior problems. Provide positive consequences to
behaviors that you want your dog to do more frequently (sitting, lying down, being quiet,
etc.), and make things that you want your dog to enjoy (car rides, getting teeth brushed,
seeing other dogs, etc.) predictive of goodies.
What is reward-based training?
This type of dog training is a friendly, non-aversive means of teaching your dog to perform
behaviors using food, toys, play, affection, access to things he/she wants, or anything else
that your dog would consider reinforcing and be willing to work for in a particular situation.
Behaviors that are reinforced are more likely to occur in the future. Reward-based
training is a way of increasing the frequency of behaviors that we like, and replacing the
ones that we don't.
Do I have to use food during training?
Your dog’s motivation is always in flux, meaning that what your dog finds motivating in one
context, he or she may not find motivating in another context. For example, if your dog
just ate and is full, he probably won’t be motivated to work for food, but he may be
motivated to work for his favorite toy instead. Food is one of the most powerful motivators,
and it can be used as both a target (to lure your dog into a desired position), and as the
reward. As your dog learns the behavior, you fade out the presence of the food, and
transition to requiring more behaviors for less rewards. Also, as a behavior is established,
the use of other rewards besides food should absolutely be incorporated. This includes
going for walks, play, door opening, ball throwing, cars rides, access to other dogs, and so
on. There is a saying in dog training: Control the motivator, control the dog.
How do dogs learn?
Dogs learn by the immediate consequences of their actions (Operant Conditioning) and by
association (Classical Conditioning). An example of learning by consequence would be
giving your dog praise and treats when she sits, thereby increasing the frequency of
sitting in the future. Learning by association has to do with anticipation and predictive
power. For example, dogs learn very quickly that the sound of a treat jar predicts food.
Both of these processes of learning are scientifically proven and are utilized in both
training and in working with behavior problems. Provide positive consequences to
behaviors that you want your dog to do more frequently (sitting, lying down, being quiet,
etc.), and make things that you want your dog to enjoy (car rides, getting teeth brushed,
seeing other dogs, etc.) predictive of goodies.
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