reinforcement without food
When thinking about positive reinforcement, food treats are likely top of mind. However, there may be times when you can’t use food because it’s off-limits for medical or other reasons. Fortunately, there are a number of other ways you can reinforce your dog’s behavior when it’s not convenient or safe to use food reinforcers.
In this video, Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) faculty member Laura Monaco Torelli is helping her dog Vito prepare for an upcoming test where a clicker and food treats are not allowed. What does Vito love? Running! Laura claps, runs backward so that Vito chases her, and then offers him a food treat. She repeats this pattern (clap, run, food) until the clapping itself becomes a powerful reinforcer that she can use for Vito in the future. Go Team Vito!
What types of non-food reinforcers would you like to start using? Learn all about using non-food reinforcement effectively in Ken Ramirez's online course Smart Reinforcement!
THINK OUTSIDE OF THE TREAT POUCH
Ken Ramirez shows you how to use non-food reinforcers effectively in the step-by-step online course, Smart Reinforcement.
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