Aversive Control as a Basic Framework of Training
Definitions:
Aversive Control – The use of an aversive stimulus or consequence, such as punishment or negative reinforcement, to control behavior.
Punishment – In operant conditioning, the process in which the relationship, or contingency, between a response and some stimulus or circumstance results in the response becoming less probable.
– Important to note that we’re talking about the use P+ in an escape/avoidance paradigm
Negative Reinforcement – the removal, prevention, or postponement of an aversive stimulus as a consequence of a response, which, in turn, increases the probability of that response.
Conditioning – the process by which certain kinds of experience make particular actions more or less likely.
Escape Conditioning – the process by which a subject acquires a response that results in the termination of an aversive stimulus.
Avoidance Conditioning – the establishment of behavior that prevents or postpones aversive stimulation.
– Prompted by a signal predicting aversive stimulation.
Source for above definitions: https://dictionary.apa.org
Ideology:
- Reward base systems and compulsive systems are not mutually exclusive
- Reward based systems are inherently lower risk and a good place to gain experience and skills helpful in compulsive systems
- You must follow your own moral compass
- Your values are not necessarily your dog’s values
- Professional ethics
- Protect your rights by not abusing them
- In defense of compulsion
- Adversity and character
- Developing resilience
Common Tools:
-Leash
-Collar
-Mechanical advantage
-E-Collar
-Manual techniques
Hunting Dogs and Aversive Control:
–“Sterile” vs “Unsterile” environments
–Engagement vs independence
-Uncontrolled, expansive environment and uncontrolled reinforcer
-Traditions of training
-Testing and trial programs
-Genetic selection
Applications:
- Pressure intro
-Push/Pull
- E-Collar Conditioning
- “OB”
- Brief “Force Fetch” overview
-Language
-Prey reward vs safe haven from pressure
-Process
-Transition into retriever skills
- “Breaking” processes
– Brief methods overview
-Book reviews