A friend of mine posted this earlier today. I just found it interesting. I'm thinking I may have to take out my tape measure for some of the Great Danes that come into the store. There's one in particular that might give George some competition.
http://www.pawnation.com/2010/02/23/giant-george-the-great-dane-is-newly-crowned-worlds-tallest-d/
Friday, February 26, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Positive Punishment
I got in a discussion yesterday with someone about positive punishment. As a result, I thought it warranted an entry. The terminology can be counter-intuitive, so I'll try to clarify.
So, to start with the basics, reinforcement is anything that increases the likelihood of a behavior and punishment is anything that decreases the likelihood of a behavior. For example, upon seeing a treat, a dog may sit and start to salivate. Sitting is the behavior, salivating is an unconditioned response (which we won't get into here). The main point here is that punishment is not always bad and reinforcement is not always good.
Now, the confusing part. In the context of behavior, positive does not mean good, and negative does not mean bad. The way I originally remembered the difference was positive is often represented as a plus sign (+), as in positive reinforcement, represented as +R or R+. The plus sign mean to add, so something is added. The inverse is also true for negative when something is subtracted or taken away (-R or R-).
So, in terms of positive punishment, something is added to decrease a certain behavior. This includes things like hitting, shocks, leash corrections, and many things that are usually referred to as aversives. Something has been added to change the behavior. I won't go into detail here about the problems and fallout of using positive punishment. I've discussed that in other entries and I'm sure it will come up again. Suffice it to say it has been scientifically proven there are much more effective ways to change behavior using negative punishment (taking away the shoe your dog is not supposed to chew on) and positive reinforcement (giving him an appropriate chew toy).
This is a VERY broad overview and barely touches on the subject in the simplest terms, but I hope it's a good starting point and clears up the topic a little. For more information, view some of the other entries, or look at some of Patricia McConnell's or Karen Pryor's books for a start.
So, to start with the basics, reinforcement is anything that increases the likelihood of a behavior and punishment is anything that decreases the likelihood of a behavior. For example, upon seeing a treat, a dog may sit and start to salivate. Sitting is the behavior, salivating is an unconditioned response (which we won't get into here). The main point here is that punishment is not always bad and reinforcement is not always good.
Now, the confusing part. In the context of behavior, positive does not mean good, and negative does not mean bad. The way I originally remembered the difference was positive is often represented as a plus sign (+), as in positive reinforcement, represented as +R or R+. The plus sign mean to add, so something is added. The inverse is also true for negative when something is subtracted or taken away (-R or R-).
So, in terms of positive punishment, something is added to decrease a certain behavior. This includes things like hitting, shocks, leash corrections, and many things that are usually referred to as aversives. Something has been added to change the behavior. I won't go into detail here about the problems and fallout of using positive punishment. I've discussed that in other entries and I'm sure it will come up again. Suffice it to say it has been scientifically proven there are much more effective ways to change behavior using negative punishment (taking away the shoe your dog is not supposed to chew on) and positive reinforcement (giving him an appropriate chew toy).
This is a VERY broad overview and barely touches on the subject in the simplest terms, but I hope it's a good starting point and clears up the topic a little. For more information, view some of the other entries, or look at some of Patricia McConnell's or Karen Pryor's books for a start.
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Mid-Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross is offering a Pet First Aid class
"The goal of the Cat and Dog First Aid presentation is to teach participants how to be prepared for emergencies that involve a cat or a dog and how to protect themselves and the animal from further harm, injury or suffering during emergencies by teaching prompt, effective first aid actions and care."
Class is held on March 13, from 8:00 am to 12:00 Noon. Cost is $39. You can register through the Columbia Career Center.
More information at http://redcross-midmo.org/healthandsafety/Pet.htm
And registration at https://secure.career-center.org
Class is held on March 13, from 8:00 am to 12:00 Noon. Cost is $39. You can register through the Columbia Career Center.
More information at http://redcross-midmo.org/healthandsafety/Pet.htm
And registration at https://secure.career-center.org
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