Course Details
If you’ve ever wondered, “What should my dog do instead?” this class is for you. We’ll teach you how to replace frustrating habits with behaviors you want using reward‑based training grounded in solid behavioral science. We will not be addressing dog to dog or dog to human aggressive behaviors.
Differential Reinforcement (DR) is a simple, effective method based on operant conditioning: behaviors that when reinforced become stronger. By rewarding the good stuff, you naturally reduce the not‑so‑good stuff. We’ll also look at what triggers your dog’s unwanted behavior and how their emotional state affects learning. Replacing the unwanted behavior without addressing the emotional state can often backfire.
For DR to work well, your dog needs to practice new behaviors when they’re calm enough to succeed. These replacement behaviors should be quick, reliable, and feel good for your dog to perform. A sit taught with treats and praise, for example, creates a much more positive emotional response than a sit taught to avoid correction.
- You’ll learn three DR strategies:
- DRI (Incompatible Behavior): Teach a behavior your dog can’t do at the same time as the unwanted one. This is the most difficult to accomplish because it requires you teach a behavior that cannot occur at the same time as the undesirable behavior and that you understand the function of the behavior to be replaced so you can provide a more appropriate outlet for it.
- DRA (Alternative Behavior): Reinforce a more appropriate, good option. This is the most common DR procedure applied. You will teach your dog a more appropriate behavior that serves a similar or same function as the undesired behavior.
- DRO (Other Behavior): Reward your dog for doing anything other than the problem behavior. This process is the easiest because it may not entail teaching anything new but just rewarding better choices.
By the end of this class, you’ll know how to use these techniques to build better habits, reduce unwanted behaviors, and help your dog feel confident and successful through clear communication and positive reinforcement.
Teaching Approach:
Instructor: Karen Deeds, CDBC Karen Deeds, is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). She is the co-owner of Canine Connection in Ft. Worth, TX with her husband, Bob Deeds, a retired Federal K9 Handler on Texas Task Force I....(Click here for full bio and to view Karen's upcoming courses)
