Motivating operations (MOs) are a crucial concept in behavioral psychology and dog training. They refer to environmental or internal conditions that influence the effectiveness of a reinforcer or punisher. Simply put, MOs affect how motivated a dog is to perform a particular behavior and how strongly it is influenced by specific rewards or corrections. Understanding and manipulating MOs can drastically improve the effectiveness of training.

Two primary types of motivating operations exist: establishing operations (EOs) and abolishing operations (AOs).

Establishing Operations (EOs)

Definition: Establishing operations increases the effectiveness of a reinforcer or punisher. They make a particular outcome more desirable, thereby increasing the likelihood that the behavior will occur.

Examples in Dog Training with reinforcers:

1. Food Deprivation:

• Scenario: A dog is slightly hungry before a training session.
• Effect: The dog's motivation to work for food rewards is higher.
• Application: If you're training a new trick, conducting the session before the dog's regular meal time can make food treats more enticing and effective as a reinforcer.

2. Social Isolation:

• Scenario: A dog has been alone for a while before training.
• Effect: The dog's desire for human interaction and attention is heightened.
• Application: Using praise and attention as a reward will be more effective if the dog has not had much interaction beforehand.

3. Toy Restriction:

• Scenario: The dog has limited access to a favorite toy.
• Effect: The toy becomes a more valuable and effective reinforcer.
• Application: Reserving a special toy only for training sessions can motivate the dog to perform desired behaviors to gain access to it.

Examples in Dog Training with punishers:

1. Attention Deprivation:

• Scenario: A dog has been socially isolated before training.
• Effect: The removal of attention (negative punishment) becomes a more potent punisher.
• Application: If a dog jumps on guests and values social interaction, ignoring the dog immediately after jumping becomes more effective as a punishment because the dog is craving attention.

3. Stress Reduction:

• Scenario: A dog has been in a calm and stress-free environment prior to the introduction of a punisher.
• Effect: Mild corrections such as a firm "No" or leash correction are more impactful because the dog is more sensitive to changes in its otherwise calm state.
• Application: In a calm environment, a simple verbal correction or leash correction for a minor infraction will be more noticeable and effective.

Abolishing Operations (AOs)

Definition: Abolishing operations decrease the effectiveness of a reinforcer or punisher. They make a particular outcome less desirable, thereby decreasing the likelihood that the behavior will occur.

Examples in Dog Training with reinforcers:

1. Food Satiation:

• Scenario: The dog has just eaten a large meal.
• Effect: Food treats become less desirable as a form of reinforcement.
• Application: Avoid scheduling training sessions immediately after mealtime if you plan to use treats as rewards.

2. Excessive Play:

• Scenario: The dog has spent a long period playing with a favorite toy before training.
• Effect: The toy loses its appeal as a reinforcer.
• Application: To keep a toy effective in training, limit its use before the training session.

3. Social Saturation:

• Scenario: The dog has had extensive human interaction and attention throughout the day.
• Effect: Praise and petting lose some of their reinforcing power.
• Application: For attention-motivated dogs, ensure that some interactive activities are reserved for training sessions to maintain the value of social reinforcement.

Examples in Dog Training with punishers:

1. Overexposure to Attention:

• Scenario: The dog has received a lot of attention throughout the day.
• Effect: The removal of attention as a punisher becomes less effective because the dog is less motivated by social interactions.
• Application: Ignoring a dog for jumping may not be as effective if the dog has already had ample social stimulation; the dog may not perceive the removal of attention as a meaningful consequence.

2. Noise Habituation:

• Scenario: The dog has become habituated to loud noises.
• Effect: A loud noise used as a punisher (such as a shaker can) loses its effectiveness because the dog is no longer startled.
• Application: If a dog has been exposed to a lot of environmental noise, using a shaker can to stop unwanted behavior like jumping might not be effective. The dog may simply ignore the noise.

3. Arousal Increase:

• Scenario: The dog is highly aroused at the site of another dog.
• Effect: Using a mild leash correction as a punisher becomes less effective because the dog is highly aroused.
• Application: If teaching an exercise that involves leash corrections for disobedience, start in an environment where the dog is not highly aroused.

Practical Applications

Adjusting MOs for Effective Training:

1. Scheduling Training Sessions: Plan sessions around the dog's natural routines. For food-motivated dogs, before meal times can be ideal. For social or play-motivated dogs, use periods when they haven't had much interaction or play.
2. Variety in Reinforcers: Rotate different types of reinforcers (food, toys, praise) to keep them effective, ensuring none become too familiar or less desirable due to overuse.
3. Teach Punishers in Calm Environments: When the dog is less aroused, aversive training techniques can be taught using minimal intensities.
4. Observation and Flexibility: Continuously observe how different conditions affect your dog's behavior and adjust the training environment accordingly.

Conclusion

Motivating operations play a pivotal role in determining the efficacy of reinforcements and punishments in dog training. By understanding and manipulating establishing and abolishing operations, trainers can optimize their strategies to make desired behaviors more likely.