Intermittent reinforcement is a common method used in positive dog training. For most trainers, continuous reinforcement is recommended until the learner successfully understand the behavior that is being cued, then the trainer will often recommend switching from continuous to intermittent reinforcement. Many trainers use the example of intermittent reinforcement being like a slot machine sometimes you get a pay out and sometimes you don’t. The phycology behind the idea is to get the learner to continue to do the behavior even when a reward is not immediately present. Intermittent reinforcement can be a great method but we also need to look at the other side of intermittent reinforcement. In abuse situations, intermittent reinforcement can also be associated with something called a “trauma bond”. This is where an abuser brings flowers one day and abuses the next. This type of intermittent reinforcement will “bond” the victim to the abused but as positive reinforcement animal trainers, we need to make sure that our training methods are not turning into something aversive.

Sponsor:Truly Force Free Animal Training
Speaker(s):Shannon Riley, RVT, CPDT KA, KPA CTP, Fear Free Certified Professional

Contact: Shannon Riley
 Email: info@trulyforcefree.com
 Phone: 805-766-0380
 Web: https://trulyforcefree.com/