Dog Training Secret Tip #4: The Premack Principle

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This brings us to an important point in your training. It is also where I always get the question: "What happens if I don't have food with me?"

This is where you can start to use the Premack Principle, also known as Grandma's Law.

David Premack was a behavior psychologist who discovered a useful principle in his research within behavior modification. The principle goes like this: You can increase the frequency of any low probability behavior by making it contingent upon a high probability behavior.

Or to put it another way: A higher probability behavior can be used to reinforce a lower probability behavior, a little wordy but let me explain.

Grandma would use the Premack Principle when she told you that you could not watch TV until you washed the dishes. Or that you could not have desert until you ate all your vegetables.

You see, Grandma would not let you watch TV, (high probability behavior) until you cleaned the dishes (low probability behavior). The same thing can be done with your dog.

At Alpha K9 Pet Services, we teach you how to apply and use the Premack Principle. When you understand and apply the Premack Principle, you can get your dog to perform in any situation with or without food.

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