| Do you remember as a kid when your | | | | Since we now understand the Premack Principle, |
| Grandmother would tell you that you had to finish | | | | we can set up training situations where your dog |
| your vegetables before you could have any ice | | | | learns to respond to the command "Come" |
| cream? | | | | before taking chase. |
| If your Grandmother or anyone else has ever | | | | Here is an exercise that I teach: |
| said that to you, then they were using the | | | | With your dog on a 10 to 15 foot leash, throw a |
| Premack Principle, also known as Grandma's Law. | | | | treat about 20 feet away. Let your dog see you |
| Basically, the Premack Principle is this: "If high | | | | throw the treat. |
| probability behaviors (more desirable behaviors) | | | | Now let your dog go to the treat but stop her |
| are made contingent upon lower probability | | | | about two feet from the treat. Your dog will be |
| behaviors (less desirable behaviors), then the | | | | interested in the treat and probably ignore your |
| lower probability behaviors are more likely to | | | | command "Come." Give your dog just a slight tug |
| occur." | | | | on the leash and back up a few feet. Once your |
| Or to put it simply: "You can't watch TV until you | | | | dog comes to you, hold your dog's collar, praise |
| finish your homework." | | | | your dog, and then let your dog run back and get |
| So how does this apply to dog training? | | | | the treat. You have just used the Premack |
| The Premack Principle works great when you are | | | | Principle with your dog. |
| trying to teach your dog to come when called. | | | | Your dog wants the treat (very desirable to your |
| You see, when your dog is outside there are | | | | dog) but can't get the treat until she responds to |
| more desirable things to do than to come back to | | | | the command "Come" (less desirable behavior), |
| you. | | | | you are now teaching your dog to respond to |
| If your dog is outside and sees a squirrel, the | | | | your commands in distracting situations. |
| chances of coming back to you decrease | | | | At first you need to use the leash to get the less |
| dramatically. Chasing the squirrel is much more | | | | desirable behavior to occur, but over time you'll |
| desirable than responding to your command | | | | find that your dog will start to respond to your |
| "Come." | | | | voice command and you'll need to use the leash |
| But... | | | | less and less. |