1. Solving Behavioural Problems Using Learning Theory Applied Animal Ethology ANIM3043
Dr Cam Day
Animal Behaviour Veterinarian
Cam Day Consulting Ph 1

2. HOW CAN THESE BE USED TO CHANGE AN ANIMAL’S BEHAVIOUR
Recap
In the last lecture we dealt with
Reinforcement of behaviour
Reinforcement strengthens behaviour
Positive and negative
Punishment of behaviour
Punishment weakens behaviour
HOW CAN THESE BE USED TO CHANGE AN ANIMAL’S BEHAVIOUR
Movie 2

3. Will Behaviour Modification Work?
Some animals are able to learn easily
Some are not
IQ testing is possible and is helpful
What effects do anxiety disorders have on the ability of an animal to learn when compared with humans? 3

4. An Overview of Behaviour Modification
Correcting unwanted behaviour in dogs involves
1. Talking to your dog in language it understands
Use the “Talk Like a Dog” Principle
2. Being precise about expecting a response
Use the “Two Command Rule”
3. Use perfect timing
Take action immediately
4. Deal with every occurrence of a behaviour
Be consistent and “Cone Down”
5. Speed teach the commands when the dog is calm
Use the Circle of Commands
6. THEN use those commands to attack the problem
Use a planned sequence of commands e.g. the “Leave Routine”

5. Punishment vs Reinforcement
Because animals are not very ‘cognitive’ when compared with humans, the goal is to enhance learning wherever possible – usually by creating calmness
Positive Punishment (PP) mostly confuses animals are reduces calmness
Negative reinforcement (NR) sometimes makes animals think and sometimes improves calmness
Negative punishment (NP) usually makes animals think and often increases calmness
Positive Reinforcement (PR) mostly makes animals think and usually increases calmness 5

6. Talk to your dog in language it understands
Correcting unwanted behaviour in dogs involves using the "Talk Like a Dog" Principle
Request your dog to do a task, use the COMMANDING voice
This is a firm but pleasant voice (no PP)
BUT have a very clear GOAL that you want to achieve
Or you may be rewarding a different behaviour to the one you expect
3. Then reward its response, use the GOOD DOG voice
Also known as the ‘tight underpants’ voice or another version is the ‘sexy whisper’ (PR)

7. Being precise about expecting a response
Using the "Two Command Rule" promotes calmness
1. The TWO COMMAND rule makes dogs listen
2. Issue a COMMAND
Such as SIT
3. Do nothing for up to 5 seconds
This is your test period to see if the dog responds
4. There are only two possible outcomes by the end of 5 seconds
The dog did what you asked
- praise it using the GOOD DOG voice (PR)
2. The dog ignored you
- repeat the command but SHOW THE DOG WHAT TO DO
5. DON’T MACHINE GUN COMMANDS - THIS TEACHES THE DOG TO IGNORE YOUR WORDS

8. Use perfect timing
Take action immediately - bring the end of the behaviour up to the beginning
EVERY BEHAVIOUR HAS A BEGINNING AND AN END
The problem is the middle bit - this is were the dog: -
Bites, growls, barks, jumps etc. etc. – (PR of wrong behaviour)
2. Get rid of the middle by bringing the END of the behaviour up to the BEGINNING (Stops continual PR)
IMMEDIATELY a behaviour starts COMMAND your dog to stop the behaviour
e.g. command LEAVE (but don’t punish)
3. If the dogs stops, your perfect timing has eliminated the middle bit
4. Now praise the dog using the GOOD DOG voice (PR)

9. Deal with every occurrence of a behaviour
Be consistent
1. If every occurrence of a behaviour is corrected, the behaviour will (usually) disappear
e.g. if a dog barks 10 times per day, correct it every time GET 10/10 (100% PR OF WANTED BEHAVIOUR)
2. BUT - some behaviours occur too frequently for every incidence to be corrected
In this case, try for 5/5 instead of 10/10 (STILL 100% PR)
3. Reduce the occurrences of a behaviour by ‘Coning Down’
Don’t allow the behaviour to occur when it can’t be dealt with
BUT - set up two sessions per day when the behaviour can be dealt with when ALL occurrences will be corrected

10. Cognitive Therapy for Animals?
Definition in human psychiatry
The aim (of cognitive therapy) is to identify the thinking that is causing the unwanted feelings and behaviours and to enable learning to replace this thinking with thoughts that lead to a more desirable response.
Is this possible with pets? 10

11. Train the dog the meaning of the words when it is calm
Use the Circle of Commands- Cognitive Therapy
1. Tackling a problem only when you have the problem is slow
The dog is aroused and unable to think logically
It will learn very little
2. Work with the dog when it is not involved with the problem
When it is calm, teach the dog the words you want it to understand
When the dog is facing its problem it will then better respond to these words
e.g. teach it the CIRCLE OF COMMANDS

12. The CIRCLE OF COMMANDS
The circle of commands is a form of COGNITIVE TRAINING
1. Using a liver treat or similar .... get your dog to SIT using the TALK LIKE A DOG and the TWO COMMAND RULE principles.
Wait for 5 seconds to ensure it is LISTENING to you
2. Then offer the treat but command LEAVE (the treat alone)
If your dog tries to take the food - remove it but say nothing - then repeat
If your dog leaves the food for 5 seconds - praise it then
3. Throw the food reward a short distance away and command SEEK and praise it as soon as your dog gets the food
4. Then command COME
5. Then start again by commanding SIT/LEAVE/SEEK/COME
DO THIS CIRCLE 15 TIMES MORNING AND EVENING
THIS EQUALS 210 PER WEEK
By the end of the week your dog will know the routine
Movie The circle of commands Movie the Leave Routine
Movie Poodle Now Healed

13. Use the CIRCLE OF COMMANDS when you face a problem
e.g. The three step "Leave Routine"
1. AS SOON AS A PROBLEM BEHAVIOUR OCCURS use the GOOD DOG ROUTINE
2. Command your dog to LEAVE the stimulus alone
Wait for up to 5 seconds
3. There are only two possible outcomes
1. Your dog LEAVES the stimulus alone
In this case command COME AND SIT and reward
2. Your dog continues the behaviour and ignores you
In this case use Sequential Rewards

14. Summary Positive punishment slows learning
Positive reinforcement hastens learning
Animals don’t learn easily when they are ‘upset’
Animals do learn when they are calm
Use cognitive therapy when the animal is calm to teach the animal the commands it will need to follow when it is not calm. 14

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