What Is a Natural Reinforcer?
Have you ever wanted to reward your dog for a job well done, but didn’t have food treats with you?…
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Unique Reinforcers
No treats? No problem! There are many other reinforcers besides food that can be leveraged in a training session. In…
Petting as Reinforcement
One question that trainers are often asked is if food treats must be used as the reinforcer. Some dogs do…
Reinforcement Without Food
When thinking about positive reinforcement, food treats are likely top of mind. However, there may be times when you can’t…
Building Value in Secondary Reinforcers
Many people only think of using a primary reinforcer, such as food treats, when they are training behavior with an…
Using “Go Sniff” as a Reinforcer
Does your dog spend most of your walks sniffing the ground? Well, there’s a good reason for that! Unlike humans…
Using Toys as Reinforcers
Have you ever wanted to reward your dog for a job well done, but didn’t have food treats with you?…
Teaching Behaviors as Secondary Reinforcers
Understanding reinforcement is the key to understanding how dogs learn. Reinforcement can be categorized as either primary or secondary. A…
Getting Started with Non-Food Reinforcers
The effective use of non-food reinforcers is a critical skill that all trainers will likely use or need at some…
Thinking Outside the Treat Pouch: Secondary Reinforcers
When you give your dog a treat for a job well done, you are using a primary reinforcer, which is…
Teach Clapping as a Secondary Reinforcer
When you give your dog a treat for a job well done, you are using a primary reinforcer, which is…
Training with Non-Food Reinforcers
One of the biggest objections to positive reinforcement training is the perception that it’s “all about the food.” However, while…