As head of a training organization for canine and feline behaviorist educator, I insist and regularly reflect on some fundamental points so essential to me, to improve my teaching and especially the training and training of different animal species like a hen, a horse, a cat or a dog, as we do every day at the Animal Formations Welfare Center.
1. Ratio and value of reinforcement
We very often see the owners come with 3 kibbles and some professionals refuse to give any reward…
Do we reward children with mashed ham or spinach!
Yes… A high ratio and different levels of reinforcement value are essential, as this:
- can solve many problems while avoiding confusion and frustration
- very quickly improves training performance
Sometimes trainers believe that experienced dogs no longer need continuous reinforcement, but sometimes the behavior will eventually die out.
On the other hand, it is obvious that it is necessary to reduce and stop dependence on food, by using various secondary reinforcers, which often become much stronger, by keeping an excellent motivation. Always ask the owners to reflect on a list of what their animal adores (foods, toys, certain highly reinforced behaviors…)
- makes it possible to avoid such a harmful immersion in gradual desensitization, by alternating a known and highly reinforced behavior, and a new, more difficult behavior.
2. Have fun together during training!
Sometimes we get so focused on our training that we put too much pressure on the animal to succeed, with such a serious side ...
When your teacher “mouths”, are you comfortable