Help! Can't think!

[Emily]

What do you call it when you mark a failed attempt?

So, if you try something, they get it wrong and you say "oh dear" and they see that as a reason to offer another behaviour.

I can't think of the term and it's driving me nuts!!!

 

[snowbunny]

NRM: No-Reward Marker

 

[Emily]

Ahhh... Thank goodness for that. Thank you.

Now... To find something else to distract me so I don't get on with my work ?

 

[Oberon]

NRMs are a bit controversial. Some experts in the field think they can be demotivating, like an aversive (they are technically a positive punishment as they represent the introduction of something that will reduce the frequency of a behaviour). I try to avoid them. Withholding a reinforcer is enough information for the dog, IMO, and in a click-savvy dog enough of a prompt to try again.

 

[Boogie]

My last supervisor used to use them, my new one doesn’t - I’d rather not, just quickly do the task again - hopefully right this time.

 

[Emily]

I try to avoid them. Withholding a reinforcer is enough information for the dog, IMO, and in a click-savvy dog enough of a prompt to try again.

I try to avoid them too but I can be a bit guilty of letting an "oops", "oh dear" or a "nearly" slip out.

I do wonder if, despite our best efforts, we manage to give a non-verbal NRM at times.

 

[Oberon]

I don’t think the occasional ‘oops’ or ‘nope’ counts or is going to be demotivating or meaningful to the dog at all A proper NRM is one that’s been used consistently and regularly so the dog knows very well that it means ‘no dice’.

 

[snowbunny]

I don’t think the occasional ‘oops’ or ‘nope’ counts or is going to be demotivating or meaningful to the dog at all A proper NRM is one that’s been used consistently and regularly so the dog knows very well that it means ‘no dice’.

And this includes our body language! I have to be really careful with Willow, who will flatten very easily if I let her know that what she did was "wrong".

 

[Stacia]

I might say 'try again' in a happy voice.

 

[MaccieD]

We're all human and find ourselves using sounds which may be viewed as aversive to a dog. Humans are a vocal species though so I think it's important to be aware of the possible impact, but more important is know your dog.
With Juno I use a 'try again' in a quiet voice otherwise she will keep offering whatever it she thinks I want, then sit back and look at me followed by some displacement behaviours. 'Try again' seems to work so much better for us.