Positive Reinforcement Methods Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Positive Reinforcement Methods flashcards as text
Which concept explains why a dog trained only with food may not perform when the owner doesn't have treats visible?
Answer: Bribery dependency
Bribery dependency occurs when the dog has learned that food must be visible before it will comply, rather than performing in anticipation of a reward that follows.
A trainer is using 'free shaping' to teach a new behavior. This means the trainer:
Answer: Clicks and rewards successive approximations the dog offers without prompting
Free shaping involves clicking and rewarding small steps the dog voluntarily offers, building toward the target behavior without physical guidance or lures.
What is 'jackpotting' in dog training, and when is it most appropriately used?
Answer: Delivering an unusually large reward when the dog achieves a breakthrough moment
Jackpotting rewards an exceptional performance or breakthrough with a larger-than-usual quantity of reinforcement to mark the significance of the response.
In clicker training, what is meant by 'splitting' versus 'lumping'?
Answer: Splitting = breaking criteria into tiny steps; Lumping = raising criteria too fast
Splitting means breaking the training goal into very small achievable steps, while lumping means expecting too large a jump in criteria at once.
Which of the following is the best example of a 'primary reinforcer'?
Answer: A piece of chicken
Primary reinforcers are biologically meaningful rewards (food, water, play) that have inherent value without prior conditioning, such as a piece of chicken.
How does 'premack principle' apply to dog training?
Answer: Using a preferred behavior as a reinforcer for a less preferred behavior
The Premack Principle states that a high-probability (preferred) behavior can reinforce a low-probability (less preferred) behavior, e.g., 'sit' earns the chance to greet a dog.
A dog that has been trained with positive reinforcement begins to offer trained behaviors enthusiastically without being cued. This is best described as:
Answer: Behavioral flexibility and engagement that can be channeled into free shaping
Dogs that offer behaviors freely are demonstrating engagement and confidence; this quality is especially valuable for free shaping and can be directed productively.