Like most people with animals, my dog, Mila, is a huge part of my life. I have had her since she was six months old, and since the moment I met her, I knew she would hold a special piece of my heart. Also, like most people with a significant other, my husband is also a large part of my life. We have been together for almost four years. Now, while both of them make me very happy, they can also drive me a little crazy from time to time. Mila, who used to be great with other animals, has developed an aggression towards other dogs since we moved to Jacksonville in June, 2016. I believe it is due to the fact that instead of having a backyard, she is taken outside on a leash. That brings me to why, Devan, my husband, is driving me crazy. He takes …show more content…
Specifically, I used positive punishment, a technique that uses an appealing item to reward or strengthen good behavior. Neither my husband or my dog knew I was trying to change their behavior. I even told Devan about my experiment, but only that I was doing it on Mila. Therefore, I let him take Mila outside and let me know how she did with other dogs, telling him it was for my paper; which made him take her out for longer than normal. I used reinforcement to endorse my experiment, meaning that if Devan took Mila outside for more than ten minutes, he would get rewarded. If Mila was nice to other dogs on her walk, she would get her reward. For their rewards, I used a primary reinforcer, a reward that is naturally enjoyed and well desired, and also a secondary reinfocer, a reward that only becomes a reward when associated with the primary reinforcement. I gave these rewards on a continuous reinforcement schedule, meaning every time Devan or Mila correctly modified their behavior, I would reward …show more content…
I reminded Devan that I needed to know how Mila acted with another animal or human being, so I expected him to be gone for more than five minutes. Fifteen minutes after he took her outside, he came back in and informed me Mila had seen someone walking their dog, and did not growl at them, or approach them. So, at the time, he gave her a treat, and then I scratched her favorite spot and told her she was a good girl. I then kissed his cheek, and thanked him for taking her out, and when I made his lunch that night, I snuck his favorite snack cake into it.
DAY 2 At 4:20pm on November 1st, Devan arrived home and after taking off his uniform, he took Mila outside as usual. This time, I did not remind him to keep Mila outside for longer than usual to find a dog or person. When he came back inside, it had only been five minutes, and he did not mention seeing another dog. So Mila did not get a treat, and I did not thank Devan for taking her outside, nor did I pack him a snack cake in that lunch.
DAY