Date of Graduation
2008
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Three response reduction procedures commonly employed in applied behavior analysis are extinction, differential-reinforcement-of-other-behavior (DRO) schedules, and time-based schedules of event delivery such as the fixed-time (FT) schedule. Each of these three procedures holds promise for the amelioration of canine behavior problems, yet none has been studied systematically, alone or in comparison with other procedures, with domestic dogs. In this research, the buoy-touching responses of eleven dogs were shaped and maintained using edible reinforcers. Responding then was exposed either to extinction, a fixed or an escalating DRO schedule, or an FT schedule. Extinction reduced responding more rapidly than the escalating DRO schedule and more rapidly and completely than the FT schedule. It also was easiest to implement and produced no differential emotional responding or response bursts. This research represents a rare application of single-subject research methods to the analysis of canine responding in the pet dog’s natural (home) environment and may serve to bridge the gap between the fields of applied animal behavior and behavior analysis.
Recommended Citation
Maxwell, Megan E., "The relative efficacy of three procedures for reducing canine responding." (2008). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 9377.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/9377