Professional practices & Ethics Flashcards
What are the 6 humane hierarchies
1) Medical, nutritional, physical
2) Antecedent arrangements
3) Positive Reinforcement (R+) & Classical Conditioning
4) Differential Reinforcement of Alternative behaviours (DRA)
5) Negative Punishment (P-), Extinction, Negative Reinforcement (R-)
6) Positive Punishment
What is the humane hierarchy
The Humane Hierarchy is a model in which training methods are ranked from leash invasive to most invasive. It is a hierarchy of behaviour change that incorporates ethics into the choices we make. It describes the process when training behaviour or modifying a problem.
Humane Hierarchy: Health, nutritional & physical factors
Ensure that any indicators for possible medical, nutritional, or health factors are addressed by a licensed veterinarian. The consultant should also address potential factors in the physical environment.
Can discuss my observation with the vet. Our job is not to diagnosis, just to report.
Humane Hierarchy: Antecedents
the antecedent is the environment the dog is in. Our aim at step two is to arrange the environment to set the dog up for success. This might mean using tools such as baby gates, food puzzle toys or crates. By arranging the environment in a way that prevents dogs from practicing an undesired behavior, we’re already halfway to changing it!
Humane Hierarchy: Positive reinforcement (R+) & Classical Conditioning
We use Positive Reinforcement by adding things the dog wants as payment for doing desired behaviors.
Reinforcers include food, toys, play, affection, access to furniture or places, and any other thing the dog may want at that moment. Each time the dog performs our desired behavior, we reward the dog
Humane Hierarchy: Manage behaviour, Negative Punishment (P-), Negative Reinforcement (R-), Extinction, Consult with another professional
There is a yield sign here, because this will likely cause stress and anxiety to the dog. Use them in the order that appears most appropriate for the situation.
Negative Punishment - Contingently withdraw a positive reinforcer to reduce the probability that the problem behavior will occur. Often used in conjunction with Positive Reinforcement. P- is when we remove something the dog wants in order to reduce or eliminate a behavior.
Negative Reinforcement - the process of removing something unpleasant with the aim of increasing behavior. We try to avoid this option because it requires us to add something unpleasant in order to affect behavior change.
Extinction - refers to the elimination of a behavior because it simply no longer successfully meets the dog’s needs
Humane Hierarchy: Positive Punishment (P+)
If after careful consideration, we can progress here. This is a last resort. You should consider consulting with another trainer to find alternative solution to positive punishment. This might also mean referring to someone more experienced.
Positive punishment is the addition of something the dog deems undesirable and works to avoid in order to decrease the frequency of the problem behavior in the future. Punishment can change behavior in as little as 1 or 2 exposures. But there is a great risk with increasing fear or aggression.
How would you apply the humane hierarchy to the following scenario:
Humane Hierarchy: Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behaviour
means that we will reinforce behavior choices that are NOT the undesired behavior.
Unacceptable aversive methods
1) Helicoptering, hanging, or handling a dog so their airway is restricted
2) Lifting a dog by the collar, leash, or scruff so they have no more than two feet on the ground (often interpreted to include alpha rolls)
3) Using an electronic collar before exhausting other methods
4) Using more than one electronic collar at the same time on the dog, or applying it to the dog’s abdomen or genital area
5) Using toe or ear pinches, cattle prod, or drowning the dog
What does LIMA stand for?
Least Intrusive Effective Intervention
Client confidentiality and privacy includes?
Gaining the permission of the client in writing. This includes
1) Signed release, consent forms
2) Confidentiality release (to consult with others)
3) Clients should also understand their role in training their dog, their rights and responsibilities
4) your business policies
Behavior is unpredictable
Avoid making guarantees. This sets up the client and trainer for failure
How many CEU’s do you need for recertification
36 CEUs
