Reinforce, Reward, Treat—What Does it All Mean?
Whether you're new to training or an experienced handler, you've likely come across words like "reinforce," "reward," and "treat." But what do they truly mean, and does it matter?
When you start working with a trainer who uses kind, ethical, science-based methods, you may find yourself navigating these terms right away. For example, in your first lesson, you might hear, “Reinforce your dog,” and then are encouraged to give your dogs some treats—perhaps a mix of dry, moist, or even salmon paste-filled toys. But what’s really happening here? Are you reinforcing, bribing, or simply rewarding behaviour? And does this distinction matter?
What Does Each Term Mean?
Let’s start by defining each term to gain a clearer perspective:
Reward: Given to recognise effort or achievement.
Treat: An item or event out of the ordinary that gives pleasure.
Reinforcer: In psychology, this is something that increases the likelihood of a behaviour by being applied after the desired response.
So, where does that leave us?
In positive reinforcement training, we draw from operant conditioning, which involves four quadrants. Here’s a quick breakdown of these and examples for each:
The Four Quadrants of Operant Conditioning
1. Positive Reinforcement (R+): Adding something to increase a behaviour.
Example: When your dog comes back to you after a recall, you reward them with a treat, toy, or a game they enjoy. The reward increases the likelihood they’ll return next time.
2. Negative Reinforcement (R-): Removing something unpleasant to increase a behaviour.
Example: If a dog is trained with a vibration collar, the vibration stops when they return to the handler, encouraging them to come back promptly to avoid the discomfort.
3. Positive Punishment (P+): Adding something unpleasant to decrease a behaviour.
Example: If a dog doesn’t come when called, shouting or using a noise tool might startle them, stopping the behaviour. The unpleasant consequence makes them less likely to ignore the recall in future.
Negative Punishment (P-): Removing something valued to decrease a behaviour.
Example: If a dog ignores a recall, putting them on a lead removes their freedom. This makes it less likely they’ll ignore the recall in the future.
Why Positive Reinforcement Matters
Many trainers choose positive reinforcement because it creates a positive learning experience and strengthens behaviours we want to see more often. For example, a trainer might reward a dog with food every time the dog shakes their hand. You know the dog finds this behaviour reinforcing if it becomes more frequent and enthusiastic over time. This is why it’s essential to figure out what your dog loves and finds truly rewarding—what works for one dog may not for another. Plus, what’s rewarding at home might not hold value in more distracting environments.
Types of Positive Reinforcers
Different reinforcers work in different contexts. While gold stars and stickers may reinforce a young child’s behaviour, they might be irrelevant to an older student. Similarly, for dogs, some may love cheese, while others may only respond to a specific toy or even a game of tug. Always observe your dog and use what resonates with them best.
Planning a Training Session
To keep things effective and engaging:
- Decide on what you’ll train, why, and how.
- Select the reinforcer you’ll use to encourage the behaviour.
- Think about where and how you’ll reward to reinforce the behaviour in that context.
Do you give treats after training sessions, like toys or chews? That’s great! Ultimately, whether you label it as a reward or reinforcer, what matters most is that you’re both having fun. If you find yourself frustrated, take a break. Simplify the steps, maybe increase the reward’s value, or change the environment to set you and your dog up for success. Remember, training should be a joyful experience for both of you.
As the wonderful Sarah Fisher once said to me, “Less is more, and a special dog doesn’t always mean an easy one.” This advice has shaped the way I approach training, and I hope it inspires you too.
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