Can E-Collars Change Behaviour with Positive Punishment?
• E-collars attempt to change behaviour by positive punishment when an aversive stimulus (e.g. a shock, citronella spray or cold air) is administered as an immediate consequence of an animals’ behaviour. • Pet owners who use loud voices, hit pets with rolled newspapers, throw items at pets and use other aversive stimuli are also practicing positive punishment. Notes: • A pet has to be capable of learning for positive punishment to work • Pets with fearful or anxious natures often do not respond well to positive punishment • Aggressive pets can become more aggressive when positive punishment is used. • Timing is very important with positive punishment so, for pets that are capable of learning, one advantage of E-collars is that the stimulus is better timed to the unwanted behaviour. Owners are often incapable of timing aversive stimuli correctly and the positive punishment they use is therefore often off-target • But owners or trainers can choose when the punishment is appropriate where
