- Objectives
- What is avoidance conditioning?
- Why is it best to concentrate on it at this specific point in our checklist?
- What mechanics are important to know
- How do we use the full command structure for the first time? So exciting!
- When can we check off this step?
- What is true "obedience" vs responding to a cue?
- What do some examples look like on finished dogs?
- What does a training session look like?
What is avoidance conditioning?
- Avoidance conditioning is a process that teaches the dog how to avoid punishment.
- It focuses on introducing positive punishment into the equation, but like escape conditioning, it may use all quadrants during the process.
What do some examples look like?
Why is it best to concentrate on it at this specific point in our checklist?
First a recap. The information is based on making plans that adhere to cynopraxis and LIMA, being as transparent as possible, and accountable for results. It is designed specifically for professional dog trainers and a model to be used at career schools.
This is an important lesson, because I believe it is key to preventing tool bands and professional hardships due to ignorance.
- Phase 1
- Ability to thin out reward schedules
- Use premack schedule
- Phase 2
- Escape conditioning
- Prevents flight or fight behavior
- Substantially reduces stress
- Prolongs training sessions
- Conditioned punisher
- Escape conditioning
You will not get the full benefits of this lesson without the proper foundation of knowledge leading up to avoidance conditioning.
What mechanics are important to know?
Leash Ninja
Know how training tools mechanically work to choose the safest option
What is true "obedience" vs responding to a cue?
- A cue is simply a prompt for a behavior, what happens after does not fall within the definition.
- Obedience is behavior that's respectful and mindful of rules and laws.
- "False disobedience" non compliance based off of ignorance
We are still preparing for and teaching how to be obedient at this point.
By definition, strive to achieve the most reliable obedience possible
- If a dog needs punishment often, it is not obedient. If a child needs to be punished everytime they are asked to do something they are not obedient.
- If a dog needs to be punished often it may not necessarily be "disobedient". It may just be ignorant.
How do you guarantee? Accountibility?
- You must record the education for a client. If you do not "account" for the training you cannot be "accountable" for the education. The dog may be ignorant.
When can we check off this step?
When the dog shows reasonable understanding of being able to avoid all punishment, ESPECIALLY in repeat situations.
Generalization will be covered later (Generalizing what was learned in similar situations).
Does the blueprint make sense for what you want to accomplish before you build it in real life?
A dog can always "win" if you have a complete command structure. Watch all the dogs always "win".
Unlocking the mysteries of punishment, specifically how to avoid it, escape it, and be warned about it help build a more confident and less conflicted dog while with the handler. The handler becomes a "predictable" and benevolent leader.
How can we reasonably "guarantee" obedience as a trainer? It makes sense on "paper" and is demonstrated in specific real situations.
As a pro: Rethink Operant Conditioning
Rethink your vision of the 4 quadrants of operant conditioning as a closed circuit, rather than unrelated "quadrants"
The command structure is a "closed circuit" and is based on a "closed circuit" operant conditioning model.
Can a dog gain confidence through avoidance conditioning?
Yes! Especially if the previous foundation is in place!
My experience...
In Chutes and Ladders, you would always win if you could control the spinner. Otherwise, you would not be confident that you could avoid punishment for "bad" behavior.
The goal is always to achieve "maintenance" with the client.
Phase 3 is "easy" if phase 2 is understood. The command structure and meaning are built. Phase 3 problems are almost always "phase 2" problems.
As a pro: Rethink Perception of Training Tools from a logical point of view.
When you are knowledgeable:
Do you choose tools for their ability to create pain and fear?
Pain and fear can produce serious injury to the handler. example: broken bones and bone damage to the handlers..
Or do you choose out of consideration for their ability to be most effective with the least physical force? Safety for the dog is always the number 1 priority!
You should be highly knowledgeable about the pros and cons of every available tool.
If you don't know how to drive a Ferrari, you will crash...
Recap
- Phase 1
- Mark/fade
- Ratios
- Intervals
- Duration
- Premack Principle
- Phase 2
- Escape Conditioning - Notice lack of struggle by Orfeo
- Conditioned Punisher - Notice reactions from Orfeo
How do we use the full command structure for the first time? So exciting!
Take note:
- There is never a command that he does not eventually complete
- The trainer stays predictable
- If the trainer makes a mistake, it is on the trainer. Don't compensate, start over.
- You check off individual commands when the dog shows evidence that they understand how to avoid ALL punishment for that command (both primary and secondary).
What is your logical opinion about these videos as it pertains to the use of tools while teaching avoidance conditioning?
Is the information ethical to use as a base for creating code of conduct guidelines and professional certifications?
Responses