How to help your dog succeed with the use of reinforcement?
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Reinforcement increases the likelihood of given behaviour to happen again in the future. If you don't see an increase in the behaviour, what you are using is not a reinforcer at this moment in time. Don't get discouraged though! There are far more possibilities to try out and changing what you use is one of them.
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In the dog training world, we sometimes hear about using a higher value treats when the environment is more distracting. You create a hierarchy of reinforcement that you use accordingly. For example, at home, your dog can work for carrots. In the garden, you give him his treats. Outside the house, only chicken can pick up his interest enough.
Let’s think about what is the distraction that we talk about here? Distraction can be seen as anything that keeps your dogs' focus. That includes (and is not limited to) a sound, a sight of people, other dogs, other animals, a movement of rubbish in the wind, a smell. In the Cambridge dictionary, one meaning of distraction is 'an activity that you do for pleasure'. In other words, distraction can serve the function of a reinforcer.
There are other things worth considering. Your dog can get satiated. He had enough of the food that you are using for today. When you always use the same treat, you are more likely to see satiation. Novelty can be more reinforcing for your individual dog.
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It's not just the food that you are using, it's also the distance from the distraction (naturally occurring reinforcement). Work your environment thoughtfully. For example, playing with other dogs can be incredibly valuable for your pooch. For some dogs just seeing other dogs already pick up the excitement. Check what's the safe distance when your dog is still focused on you. If you would like your dog to go calmly towards other dogs instead of pulling on the leash in excitement, try teaching calm behaviours gradually, keeping far enough distance.
It's reinforcing for your dog to smell a new scent. For some dogs, it can be far more interesting than the chicken in your hand. It's about observing your dog and going at his own pace. If you see that he is not paying attention to you, could you change the place where you're doing the training? The well-known environment has the potential to be less interesting to sniff. Try there and see how it goes.
Testing out many possibilities and changing the environment of the training session gives your dog the biggest chance of succeeding in the training.
Be a superhero for your dog, he will love you for it.
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