John explain what you mean by how ignoring a behaviour is reinforcing it?

Im just not sure what you mean by that, or in what context you mean?

i mean for example if your dog puls you cant just egnor it you have to address it such as stopping till the lead is slack but if you egnor this then the dog is getting what he wants, to go forwards then when he gets to the park you let him off and is induing being renforced for the behaviour.

is this mor understandable mate.

In that example yes by letting him pull on the lead you would be reinforcing the pulling.

However there are many behaviours that by ignoring them makes them stop (extinction) jumping up being a good example, barking in some r espects although barking can be self reinforcing.  

In the respect of agonistic signals (lip curl, growl, whale eye) ignoring them is a bad idea in the sense that if you ignore the signs you get bitten.  But once the signs are given reacting to them by positivley reinforcing it with touch or contact or justifying the aggression in the dogs mind by punishing by yanking the lead, shouting at or physically abusing the dog (hitting, kicking, kneeing, scruffing) can reinforce the dog for that behaviour!!

As it happens Otto had a good session today on accepting touch and petting.  I have few worries about him in this respect so will move on to the basics.

i did not mean all behaviours just some but in most cases if you egnor you are right the behaviour will become extent but not many people can do this even though it is the best way to deal with a behaviour.

i do think that by rienforcing the positive behaviour the dog will choose to do this again and again to get that reward.

Love the photos of Otto, he certainly is a handsome boy!

I fell in love with this guy the day I came down to get Polly and Addy. He is so handsome.

well he is a stunner see hes helping with the gardening lol

Is that Otto modelling the letter C?

hahaha lol i never noticed that lol

John have sent you a private message. x

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