Aversive Conditioning

Aversive Conditioning

Aversive Conditioning is the use of something unpleasant, or a punishment, to stop unwanted behavior. If a dog is learning to walk on a leash alongside its owner, an undesired behavior would be when the dog pulls on the leash. The owner may use a collar that delivers a shock when the dog pulls – eventually, the dog associates pulling on the leash with getting a painful shock and stops pulling. As with all forms of punishment, it may work but is generally less effective than the use of reinforcement.