A tertiary reinforcer is a type of conditioned reinforcement used in training that has become rewarding to a dog through its association with a secondary conditioned reinforcer. Let's break it down a bit more to understand how it fits into training!
Types of Reinforcers:
- Primary Reinforcers: These are naturally reinforcing because they satisfy basic biological needs. For dogs, examples include food, water, and physical affection.
- Secondary Reinforcers: Also known as conditioned reinforcers, these are not inherently rewarding but become so through their association with primary reinforcers. Examples include verbal praises like "Good dog!" or a clicker sound, provided they have been previously associated with something like treats or affection.
- Tertiary Reinforcers: These are a step further and are linked to secondary reinforcers. They become reinforcing through their association with one or more established secondary reinforcers.
Example of a Tertiary Reinforcer:
An example of a tertiary reinforcer could be a specific hand signal or a whistle sound that, over time and through training, has been linked consistently with secondary reinforcers (like a clicker sound followed by treats). The dog learns to associate the tertiary reinforcer with positive outcomes even though it started as a neutral stimulus.
Training Use:
Tertiary reinforcers can be very useful in dog training because they allow more flexibility and complexity in the commands and behaviors you can teach. By layering associations, you can create a rich vocabulary of cues and signals between you and the dog.
Using tertiary reinforcers effectively requires consistent training to maintain the chain of associations in the dog's mind. It's all about creating and strengthening those connections so that the dog understands what each signal means and responds accordingly.
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