Positive reinforcement training without using food

Nominate your veterinary hero here today!

Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC (IAABC), discuss the strategic use of food as a primary reinforcer in canine training, emphasizing its effectiveness due to its high value and ease of delivery. They define positive reinforcement as the process of increasing a desired behavior by adding a rewarding stimulus. 

Pachel highlights the critical role of timing, noting that rewards should be delivered immediately to be most effective. He also explores non-food reinforcers, such as engaging activities or favorite objects, and the use of secondary reinforcers like clickers or verbal cues to bridge the gap between a behavior and its reward.