I am glad your puppy is improving. Ignoring bad behavior, then rewarding good behavior--yes, that's how positive reinforcement works. I think that this method should always be used first for training. However, when/if this method fails for stopping unwanted behaviors, I like to use some negative reinforcement followed be positive reinforcement when the behavior I don't want has stopped.
For example, I have been struggling to get my puppy to stop biting my feet. It is something I will not tolerate. I tried ignoring her, then praising her and playing when she stopped. I tried redirection with toys. I tried saying "stop!" and pinching her.
Finally, I tried clapping once loudly and saying "stop!" This is what finally worked for me. She instantly lets go of my feet when I do this, and then I give her a toy and praise her. Now she looks at my feet as if she is about to go for them, thinks about it, then changes her mind and goes for a toy.
So, sometimes negative reinforcement in conjunction with positive reinforcement works better than just positive reinforcement alone. Now, if I had continued ignoring her and letting her bite my feet, then praising her when she stopped--I'm sure she would have learned that she doesn't get attention unless she stops, eventually.
You will find what works for you and your puppy as you go through training. Positive reinforcement is definitely the way to go if it works for you. Unfortunately, it isn't always enough in some cases (in my opinion). |