GOOD DOG: Fixing aggression can save Fido

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jul 16, 2010 by Jim Beinlich

The extinction of a behavior, in a clinical or sterile environment, occurs when a behavior that was once reinforced, or rewarded, is no longer reinforced. There is typically a dramatic increase (burst) in the particular behavior initially, followed by a steady decrease in the behavior, until the behavior is no longer offered.

For example, a pigeon in a box is conditioned to peck a white button. When it does so, a food pellet is dispensed. If the reinforcer (food pellet) is no longer provided for pecking the white button, the pigeon will begin pecking frantically at the button. After a short period of time, the frequency of the pecks decreases, and eventually stops altogether. The pecking of the white button has successfully been extinguished.

I hear similar solutions given to clients by Purely Positive trainers for many behavior problems with their dogs, such as jumping and barking. “Just ignore the behavior, and it will go away all by itself.”

This rarely works in the real world, however, and here is why. The mechanism that controls the food rewards in the box with the pigeon is unemotional. It doesn’t get mad, frustrated, or tired. People, on the other hand, do
aggressive dog