In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla speaks with Sarah Owings about Stimulus Control.

Science Highlight: "Reactivity to Stimuli” Is a Temperamental Factor Contributing to Canine Aggression

What is stimulus control?

Understanding that the environment has an influence on behavior

Ex: if you’re really tired, the presence of the bed (stimulus), it’s going to be reinforcing to go lay down on it.Therefore the bed is the stimulus controlling the behavior to lay down, and the reinforcement is feeling good from laying down.

It is happening all the time, every day

Stimulus control is more than impulse control

Fluency goes hand in hand with stimulus control as well. A behavior is not fluent if its not under stimulus control

Clear rules, routine, and consistency can help with stimulus control as well

Cue THEN move

Similar to click then treat. Cue then present a toy, cue then throw, etc.

A trick to help put a behavior on stimulus control

Cue first, then move your body or present the item

Links Mentioned in the Episode: None

Where to find Sarah Owings: Tromplo Courses | Facebook | Cyber Dog Online

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

K9 Conservationists Website | Merch | Support Our Work | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok