Actually she was not rewarded for not listening because there was no treat in my hand. She thought there was though :rofl1:
Do you think this will train her to come when called? The promise of a treat, as long as it sometimes happens...when it's put on a variable reinforcement schedule,
is bribing....until you fail to give the treat for a long enough and consistent enough period of time that it loses all meaning. It's bribing because the promise of a treat is a conditioned reinforcer, which has had a history of being paired with a primary reinforcer. Conditioned reinforcers, which inherently have no value of their own, become valuable when paired with a primary reinforcer. The promise of a treat then, becomes the cue.
I know what you mean about squeeky hinges Coop. I have them on my closet door where I keep the dog food. Everytime I open it, they wonder, if by chance, they
might get something. But I may also be going in for something else. However, since every day, at least twice, occassionall a little handout at other times,the squeeky hinges are the sign food is very likely coming, it has been put on a variable reinforcement schedule so they don't loose hope ever. LOL.
When I sit on my little step going into my living room to put on my shoes, that means that there's a very good chance we're going on a walk. My dogs get all silly and excited.
When I jingle my car keys, they know I'm going to the car. It may or may not mean they're going to, so they watch me very intently for signs which tell them one way or the other. I usually apologize profusely and sorrowfully that I can not take them with me this time. And they look rather forlorn. It's really sad. If I pick up the leashes after putting on my shoes, there is no doubt that we're going on a walk. And they are bouncing around, so happy.
There are so many cues that tell dogs what is about to happen or what might happen. They sure do seem to have selective hearing at times, don't they.