Escape and Avoidance Learning
By: Niki Tudge
Let’s look now at an example of escape and avoidance behavior using an electric shock remote training collar.
ESCAPE
The dog is running away from his owner and the owner applies the shock
stimulus while shouting “come.” The dog stops or begins moving back
toward the owner. When the dog does this, the owner stops applying the
shock. The dog learns that by running back towards the owner the pain
can be removed (i.e. the shock is removed). The dog thus learns that he
can escape the aversive stimulus by engaging in the alternate behavior.
(Note: For a dog to escape a painful or scary stimulus so the behavior
can be negatively reinforced, a positive punisher has to be put in
place, in this case the application of shock. Positive punishment is
defined as the addition of an aversive stimulus.)
AVOIDANCE
In the case of avoidance, it is exactly as it sounds: a dog learns how
to avoid a painful or scary stimulus. With a shock containment system,
such as an electric, or “invisible” fence, the dog learns to stop moving
forward towards the boundary when he hears the warning beep. If he
proceeds, then he will receive an electric shock. The goal of his
behavior is to avoid the fear and pain this will cause.
The key
difference between escape and avoidance learning is as follows: In
escape learning, the dog’s behavior allows him to escape the electric
shock, whereas in avoidance learning, his behavior avoids the onset of
the shock altogether. In both instances, however, the learning is based
on fear.
In the case of the “invisible” fence, the beep on the
boundary system comes before the shock is delivered. Due to his
conditioning history, the dog will have quickly learned that the beep
predicts a painful electric shock if his current behavior continues. He
will aim to avoid this at all costs.
In the case of the electric
shock collar, the shock is applied and then stopped when the dog
discontinues his current behavior (which is whatever the person
administering the shock deems to be inappropriate). There is no actual
teaching involved, and the dog is given no opportunity to learn a new
behavior. If the aversive device is absent at any time, there is no guarantee the dog will do what is expected of him because he has never
actually been taught.
The good news is that we do not need to use
any training or behavior modification protocols that utilize escape or
avoidance behavior, or that cause fear or pain. Instead, we can
reference the growing body of knowledge and findings of the scientific
community who advocate for humane, positive reinforcement based
protocols, which are known to promote a positive emotional state and
therefore improve an animal’s ability to learn new things. In addition,
they set an animal up for success, build his confidence, allow him to
think for himself, and empower him to make good choices.
Humane
and effective animal training procedures lay the foundation for any
animal’s healthy socialization and training, and help avoid the onset of
behavioral issues or better address existing behavior issues. The
correct use and application of positive reinforcement protocols builds
new behaviors while promoting behavior wellness and a strengthening of
the pet-human relationship. A win-win for everyone.
https://petprofessionalguild.com/advocacy-resources
#shockfreecoalition
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