Search Results for: blog what is positive reinforcement

Positive Reinforcement and the Power of Distraction

I try very hard to be a positive reinforcement trainer with my dogs, and not a negative reinforcement. Some days it works better than others. When we’re out walking, I’ve got a constant stream of chatter going — encouragement and praise, mostly, though sometimes, I also just talk to them about what they’re doing. If the dogs are doing something right, I tell them. It’s when the dogs are doing something wrong that I sometimes run into trouble. Lally is generally easy to correct. A light tug on the leash or saying her name is enough to get her attention … Continue reading →

Mr. Meow and Tabby: How Goes the Positive Reinforcement Training?

If you’ve been following my what to do about Tabby dilemma regarding the way she treats Mr. Meow, you’re aware that I’ve been looking for new ways to help them get along. One of those ways was trying to use positive reinforcement. Maybe you’re wondering how that’s working out. To be honest, it’s been working. Sort of. Mr. Meow is still skittish if Tabby’s around. Coaxing him out into her presence so I could reward the both of them has been an obstacle. But we’re getting there. The Sun Room For some reason, the sun room is the one place … Continue reading →

Creating a Positive Home Environment

Respect and admiration. In order for parents to have a good relationship with their children there must be mutual respect and admiration present, according to Dr. Jerry Day. We should always strive to remain positive with our kids. With the amount of negativity kids encounter daily, our homes should be a safe haven. One filled with positive interactions. We spend a lot of time admonishing kids for things they did wrong and often overlook the good things they are doing. We don’t catch them being good nearly as much as we should. And there are many opportunities to recognize the … Continue reading →

The Pets Blog Week in Review for Mar 26-Apr 1

Busy week? Afraid you might have missed something in the Pets Blog last week? Here’s your chance to catch up on what Aimee and myself wrote about. Monday, March 26 Monday was our Sunday. We took it off as a much needed day of rest. Tuesday, March 27 Mystery author Evelyn David graciously sat down for an interview about writing, Whiskey, and murder. Wednesday, March 28 For anyone following the trials of Tabby, you’ll be happy to know she received a clean bill of health (finally!). Thursday, March 29 Combining stories in the news with the theme of mystery for … Continue reading →

What is Positive Reinforcement?

If you’ve been following my Tabby tales, you know I’m questioning what to do about her and the way she’s behaving towards Mr. Meow. If you haven’t, here’s a quick lowdown: At first the adjustment period was going well. For the first three weeks. Then she got very aggressive towards Mr. Meow. A vet visit confirmed she wasn’t spayed (as we’d first been led to believe) and she might be pregnant. So we got her spayed, but things haven’t gotten better. Now I’m trying to intervene and teach her new behaviors when it comes to Mr. Meow. I’m trying to … Continue reading →

Positive Reinforcement: Non-material Rewards Are Just As Effective

As parents we often spend many hours attempting to change our kids behavior by a little method known as correcting. This works for many kids but parents should also realize that a better method is the use of positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is simply rewarding your child with something desirable after a behavior occurs. In most cases the reward then assures that the behavior will occur again. The reward does not have to be something material or costly, it can be a hug, a special snack, extra time with mom or dad, etc. For many kids, these types of reward … Continue reading →

Meghan Wins Spelling Bee With “Humility”

A Spelling Bee is a traditional academic contest. To win, you have to know how to correctly spell more words than the rest of the participants are able to. A nine-year-old named Meghan McCarty just won a Spelling Bee. She has autism and cerebral palsy and is part of a mainstream classroom of students. How well do you spell? Is your writing mostly typo-free, or do you heavily rely on the spellchecker? Read the comment section under any article on a major newspaper of your choice, and it is abundantly clear that plenty of people do not feel that being … Continue reading →

Mastering the Fine Art of Delayed Gratification

My 8-year-old has the patience of… well, an 8-year-old. Actually, on many days her ability to wait without whining or complaining is more on par with a 4-year-old. She’d kill me if she knew I was comparing her to a preschooler.  Then again, I’ll probably die first from having to tolerate her incessant bellyaching each time she is asked to keep her composure while waiting for whatever it is she wants right NOW! And by now, she means the millisecond her request leaves her lips. During my daughter’s last well child check-up I discussed the issue of delayed gratification with … Continue reading →

Inspiring The Good In Your Toddler

As parents, we want many things for our children. One of the things that many parents think about is how to raise a child who contributes positively to society. Some people may feel that if you have a toddler, it is too early to concern yourself with such things. Since toddlers are readily able to observe and imitate the actions of the adults in their lives, I would say that now is an important time to begin laying the foundation upon which your toddler can build his or her values. One of the simplest ways to help your toddler develop … Continue reading →

Phone Manners Matter

One of my biggest pet peeves is watching a young child beg for his mom or dad’s attention when said parent is talking on a cellphone, and then getting swatted away as though he were a pesky mosquito. Granted, most of the time I view these incidents, my daughter and I are at a park, restaurant or other public place, and I don’t know who is on the other end of the phone call. However, I still don’t think it is appropriate for the parent to walk away from his or her child, as though they weren’t related, just so … Continue reading →