Positive reinforcement training goes beyond treats
CURRENT BRIEF VERSION: A new dvm360 podcast episode is putting a practical spin on a familiar behavior message: positive reinforcement doesn’t have to rely only on food. In the episode, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, and veterinary behaviorist Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, discuss why food is so commonly used in the first place—it is a primary reinforcer, meaning animals do not have to be taught to value it—and how clinicians and pet parents can also use non-food reinforcers, including toys, play, access to preferred activities, touch, and praise, while still leaning on markers such as clickers or verbal cues to precisely connect behavior to reward. That emphasis on timing aligns with longstanding behavior guidance that describes clickers as “bridges” between the desired behavior and the primary reinforcer, which may be food, but can also be toys, attention, or other valued outcomes. (dvm360.com)
Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the takeaway is less about replacing treats altogether and more about broadening the reinforcement toolbox. Reward-based training remains the standard recommended by behavior experts, and cats and dogs can both benefit from positive reinforcement in clinical care, husbandry, carrier training, and handling. But this conversation is useful in practice because some patients won’t reliably take food in stressful settings, some pet parents are concerned about calories or diet restrictions, and some behaviors are easier to maintain with life rewards rather than treats alone. Veterinary teams can use that nuance to coach pet parents more effectively without drifting into aversive methods, which major behavior groups continue to discourage. (avsab.org)
What to watch: Expect more emphasis on practical, species-specific client education around reinforcement choice, marker training, and low-stress handling, especially as feline and behavior toolkits continue to expand. The podcast also underscores a basic but useful teaching point for clinics: helping clients understand the difference between primary reinforcers, such as food, and secondary reinforcers, such as clickers or praise, can make behavior plans easier to apply consistently at home and in the exam room. (catvets.com)