In this episode, I run through fundamental terms associated with operant conditioning. This episode is presented in preparation for future guests that use the approach to train their falconry birds and/or bird dogs.

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Primary reinforcer - any motivating factor that is essential to survival.  

Secondary reinforcer - also called a Conditioned Reinforcer, is any neutral factor that when paired with a primary reinforcer inherits the reinforcing properties of a primary reinforcer.

Cue - a signal asking for a specific behavioral response that leads to receiving a secondary reinforcer that leads to receiving a primary reinforcer. 

Variable reinforcement - a reinforcement schedule where the secondary reinforcer is provided after every correct behavioral response, but the primary reinforcer is provided randomly or irregularly.

Free shaping - the process of using an animal’s voluntary behaviors to teach it which behavior is desired. 

Structured Shaping - the process of establishing a more complex behavior by selectively reinforcing and building on an existing behavior.

Extinction - the gradual weakening and disappearance of a behavioral response, either wanted or unwanted, due to lack of reinforcement. 

Generalize - the process of ensuring that the wanted behavior is offered consistently under multiple environmental conditions even when distractions are present.

Luring - a method of directing behavior using a primary reinforcer to entice the animal to offer the desired behavior. 

Developing a wanted behavior is just a straightforward application of a 5-step process, as follows:
1.Free shaping
2.Reinforcing
3.Cuing
4.Generalizing
5.Structured shaping

Ultimately, there are only two types of behaviors: those that are wanted and those that are unwanted.

We want to increase the frequency of wanted behaviors and decrease the frequency of unwanted behaviors.

Frequency of wanted behaviors can be increased in 2 ways:

1. You can add something good to the training environment as a reward for the wanted behavior – which is typically referred to as positive reinforcement,
2. You can remove something bad from the training environment as a reward for wanted behavior – which is typically referred to as negative reinforcement.

Similarly, frequency of unwanted behaviors can be decreased in 2 ways:

1. You can add something bad to the training environment as a punishment for the unwanted behavior – which is typically referred to as positive punishment,
2. You can remove something good from the training environment as a punishment for unwanted behavior – which is typically referred to negative punishment.

Note that the terms positive and negative do not equate to good things and bad things, they just mean that a rewarding or punishing reinforcer is added or taken away.

1. Positive Reinforcement – giving a treat as a reward for sitting.
2. Negative Reinforcement – turn e-collar vibrate-mode to off as a reward for recalling.
3. Positive Punishment – turn e-collar vibrate mode to on as a punishment for leaving bed without being released. Once the dog returns to the bed, vibrate mode is switched to off.
4. Negative Punishment –  “retrieve denial” where the opportunity to make a retrieve is taken away as punishment for not remaining steady.

To conclude, it’s not a prerequisite of operant conditioning to use all four reinforcement options in equal proportions. In fact, many dog trainers and likely all falconers do not use positive punishment as part of their training regime.