The Dog Training Quadrants We Don’t Talk About: Are We Using Them More Than We Know? #298
Mar 19, 2025
Explore the four quadrants of dog training and their real-life implications. Discover how positive and negative reinforcement can shape behavior, sometimes in ways we don't realize. Learn about the blurred lines in training methods and the importance of tailoring reinforcers to your dog's needs. Hear personal stories that illustrate the concepts, including one trainer's journey to help her dog find value in observing others. Unravel the myth of the alpha approach and gain insights from operant conditioning science.
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Managing Frustration in Dog Training
Acknowledge that you're human and you might get frustrated.
Reflect on how outbursts affect your dog's understanding and your growth.
insights INSIGHT
Unintentional Positive Punishment
Unintentional positive punishment happens when tools aren't conditioned properly.
Condition tools like coats or nail clippers to be positive experiences.
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Understanding Negative Punishment
Negative punishment involves taking something away that the dog values, suppressing behavior.
Avoid taking away food while a dog is eating, as it's highly punishing.
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In 'Science and Human Behavior', B.F. Skinner presents a comprehensive case for a natural science of human behavior, focusing on operant conditioning and the role of environment in shaping behavior. The book discusses topics such as reflexes, operant behavior, and social contingencies, offering insights into how behavior can be analyzed and influenced. Skinner's work has been influential in fields like education and behavioral economics.
I sometimes receive comments that some dogs need all 4 quadrants of dog training. But what does that mean, why does it matter for your dog, and what does science tell us? We all need to be aware of the blurred lines between quadrants, so I'm discussing each. Plus, I'm sharing experiences and insights on what unintentional punishment can be for dogs and how to avoid it, what reinforcement really is, and how it's possible to reinforce a dog for behavior you don't want.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
• How the four quadrants of operant conditioning apply to everyday dog training. • An explanation of Positive Reinforcement, Positive Punishment, Negative Punishment and Negative Reinforcement - +R, +P, -P, -R • How to recognize what quadrant you are training in and my experiences. • The importance of reinforcers and using what’s reinforcing for your dog. • How I built value for my dog Swagger to watch other dogs work. • Control and lessons from B.F. Skinner. • How negative reinforcement works. • The blurred lines between the quadrants. • Debunking the “we must be alpha” narrative in dog training.
Shaped by Dog with Susan Garrett 
