Becoming Best Friends

Affection. Love. Praise.

Dogs hanging out with person at beach


Constructional Approach to Animal Welfare and Training podcast

Listen to the Constructional Approach to Animal Welfare and Training podcast to get extra information and explore topics to help build mutually enjoyable relationships with your animal companion

Constructional Affection

is the use of affection as a reinforcer to establish desired interactions between you and your best friend. Constructional refers to the production of a specified goal or behavior using current strengths and skills (Goldiamond, 1974). Affection refers to petting, gentle scratching, and other similar physical contact.
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Two Tails of the Dog

  1. The first step, the Interaction Guidelines, uses petting and gentle scratching as reinforcers for sitting or lying down.
  2. The second step, the Affection Loop, first increases the duration of sitting or lying down, then transfers sitting or lying down to other situations important to you.

Interaction Guidelines

Even though your dog may be jumping on you or pulling on your clothes, this is actually a good sign. It means your affection has already been established as a reinforcer! To build calm interactions, follow these guidelines:

1

When the dog approaches, pet the dog with one hand as long as all four feet are on the ground

2

If any feet come off the ground, the dog leaves, or any other undesired behavior occur, petting is discontinued

3

When all four feet return to the ground or the undesired behaviors are no longer occuring, petting is resumed

4

If sitting or lying down occurs, pet with two hands

Interaction Guideline Videos

Constructional Affection

Constructional Affection

Affection Loop


Now you're ready to build on when the calm interactions occur to include polite greetings at the door and hanging out on the couch watching TV.

Start by petting the dog for sitting. Then withdraw affection momentarily, and return provided sitting is still occurring. Begin with very short intervals and gradually increase the duration of the loop to 10 seconds.

Once your dog is sitting and waiting patiently for your affection, you can alter the environment to more closely resemble the context of your goal.

Gradual increases reduce the liklihood that any excited outbursts will occur along the way. But don't be alarmed if any do occur. It's usually a sign that you've taken too big of a step. If this happens, just take a step back and proceed in smaller steps.


Affection Loop Videos

Constructional Affection

Constructional Affection

More Videos

Contact Us

Constructional Affection was created by Sean Will and Chase Owens while members of The Organization for Reinforcement Contingencies with Animals, which is advised by Dr. Jesús Rosales-Ruiz. Constructional Affection was the logical outcome of following a constructional approach to creating the ideal relationship between pets and their caretakers. To learn more about the constructional approach look at our resources below. To contact us for any reason, fill out the form and click Submit. We look forward to hearing from you!

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