Outsmarting Distractions: How To Use Environmental Reinforcement in Dog Training #197
Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett
DogsThat
4.8 • 679 Ratings
🗓️ 24 February 2023
⏱️ 20 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Visit us at shapedbydog.com
The expression about Vegas casinos that “the house always wins” is like the one about dog training: The environment always wins. But it doesn’t have to be true when you learn to use the environment to your advantage. Mastering reinforcement means understanding what your dog values most, and there are many things dogs value. Once you know where the reinforcement is for your dog, you can build yourself into that reinforcement so that it is you, not the environment, winning your dog’s focus.
In the episode you'll hear:
• The role environments play in your dog’s reinforcers.
• How “jackpot” dopamine creates value for dogs.
• How a negative prediction error encourages dogs to repeat and escalate behavior.
• Where counter surfing really starts (and it’s not at the counter).
• Why you need to be aware of the thing before the thing.
• How to neutralize distracting environments to win your dog’s focus.
• Why training puppies and dogs in the bathroom is ideal in the beginning.
• How to grow the environment in your dog training.
• What to do when you know your dog will ignore you, with the example of playing with other dogs.
• Why and when to give your dog surprise high value rewards.
• Tips for building yourself into all the reinforcement your dog receives.
Shaped by Dog Episode 200 Online Celebration Event
Register to get the news to join us for an online party for Episode 200! https://dogsthat.com/sbd-celebrate-episode-200/
Resources:
1. Podcast Episode 196: Why Mastering Reinforcement Is The Linchpin To Reinforcement Based Dog Training - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/196/
2. Podcast Episode 174: Dopamine In Dog Training: Anticipation, Rewards, And The Transfer Of Value - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/174/
3. Podcast Episode 172: How To Teach Your Dog Anything With My Training Plan - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/172/
4. Podcast Episode 33: How Do I Stop My Dog Counter Surfing?! - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/33/
5. Podcast Episode 162: Dogs Swimming: 5 Must Do Steps For Dogs Who Hate Or Love The Water - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/162/
6. Podcast Episode 16: The Thing Before Your Dog’s Thing - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/16/
7. YouTube Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett - https://youtu.be/OaUAScgaFAg
8. ItsYerChoice Game - https://recallers.com/iycsummit-join/
9. Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/
10. Podcast Episode 191: Get Your Dog To Calm Down With This Common Sense Protocol For Relaxation - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/191/
11. Podcast Episode 166: Puppy Freedom: How Much Is Too Much? - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/166/
12. YouTube Playlist: Dog Training Games with Susan Garrett - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2TzttCtZVFwzwMGayAsaYe
13. YouTube Video: Training Your Dog In New Places: Create Success With Environmental Manipulation - https://youtu.be/MPmOnTSOUJ0
14. Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/u5Mi_DwU35A
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | In Las Vegas at the casinos, they have this expression. The house always wins. |
| 0:04.4 | In dog training, there is a similar expression, and that is the environment always wins. |
| 0:12.6 | But I'm here to tell you that doesn't have to be the truth. So let's get into it and let me |
| 0:18.6 | share how we can neutralize that environment for your dog. |
| 0:22.0 | Okay. |
| 0:22.0 | Okay. |
| 0:23.0 | Okay. |
| 0:24.1 | Okay. |
| 0:25.0 | Hi, I'm Susan Garrett. |
| 0:32.9 | Welcome to Shape by Dog. |
| 0:34.7 | Podcast episode number 197, just three podcast episodes away from our 200th episode. |
| 0:43.8 | And, oh, the celebration is turning out to be something really exciting. We have so far five special guests that are going to be joining me for our live celebrating our 200th episode. |
| 0:55.5 | Like, I'm talking about epic guests. We will have giveaways. So, if you are a sponsor |
| 1:05.1 | and you'd like to have us give away your product, you can contact my team because you could be one of the people |
| 1:12.2 | whose stuff we give away. The more stuff to give away to our listeners, the better as far as I'm |
| 1:17.1 | concerned. Okay, back to today's podcast. Podcast episode number 196 was all about reinforcement |
| 1:23.9 | in that if you're going to be a reinforcement-based dog trainer, somebody who doesn't |
| 1:28.9 | turn to the use of aversives, of physical punishment, of intimidation, then you have to get |
| 1:35.1 | really, really good at the understanding on the application of reinforcement. What is it that reinforces |
| 1:42.7 | your dog? And, you know, some people might think, |
| 1:45.0 | oh, this sounds like a lot of work, but it's worth it. And I just think it's so cool to empower |
| 1:51.3 | our dogs to have this great connection and relationship with us. Like, it's just win, |
... |
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