Can Dogs Be Intrinsically Motivated?
I decided to google “Can Dogs Be Intrinsically Motivated?”
What I found was a plethora of inaccurate information by well-meaning, yet ill-informed dog trainers.
Let me clarify…they all agreed that dogs can be intrinsically motivated (true), and while their definitions of reinforcements, motivations, intrinsic and extrinsic were textbook material, their creative suggestions of how to achieve intrinsic motivation were inaccurate (“missing the mark”). For example, one trainer claimed it is impossible to work with dogs without using reinforcements (and, herein lies the barrier to progress, but that is a whole different topic), thus restricting himself to using reinforcement to achieve intrinsic motivation, while another dog trainer, who recognized that reinforcements are not a part of intrinsic motivation, advised to simply removed the reinforcements – needless to say, removing reinforcements while continuing to apply a scientifically proven method whose foundation relies upon reinforcements results in stagnation in the form of mass chaos.
Mainstream dog training consists solely of Conditioning methods. Conditioning methods use reinforcements to teach right from wrong (operant) or to associate a positive with a negative to change perception of a stimuli (counter conditioning). Although, Conditioning methods are, when applied non-aversively and in alliance with proper practices, effective, they are not intended, from a psychologic perspective to provide key factors of intrinsic motivation - decision-making and self-regulation. To achieve these states, we need to leave the realm of Conditioning methods and explore psychotherapeutic practices designed to recognize cognition and provide intrinsic motivation. In other words, by remaining confined to Conditioning methods, these trainers are creating their own barriers to reaching their goals.
Whilst these trainers believed they were expertly explaining intrinsic motivation, they were, in fact, merely replacing contrived, or extrinsic motivators, with inherent motivators. To be clear, I like inherent motivators! I feel they hold an important role in advanced canine education programs, but they are not to be confused with intrinsic motivation.
So, the question is not whether dogs “can be” (or “are”) intrinsically motivated (since we all seem to agree on this point), but, rather, “how” we provide intrinsic motivation for dogs over the age of six months, in particular, although not exclusive to, ones from challenging situations and/or with unconventional upbringings.
Let’s break this down:
Standard dog training (as described above) uses Contrived Rewards or Extrinsic Motivators, meaning the human creates rewards to teach and encourage expected behavior, cues, commands, and tasks. These rewards are commonly in the form of a treat, praise, a sound or cue the dog associates with a positive outcome (ie – clicker training), or a particular toy the dog likes.
Inherent Motivators (or rewards) are ones in which the dog shows the human what is important to them in the moment, such as going out the door, in the vehicle, or getting patted. Although pats are considered a contrived reward, they can become an inherent reward when, for example, the dog asks for a pat and the human uses this as an opportunity to teach a command, such as Sit. In other words, the human did not prompt the action with a reward, but, rather, acknowledged what was important to the dog in the moment to teach or train.
“Leaders” (or those who position themselves as such) promote solely and only Conditioning methods because that is the method they know and sell. Fair enough. The problem, (for them), is that professionals, advocates, and pet parents are recognizing animals as sentient beings, deserved of autonomy and agency, choice, option, decision-making and self-regulation and intrinsic motivation. These terms have become buzz words instead of common practice simply because the industry confines dog trainers to Conditioning methods, making it impossible for them to achieve these goals. Conditioning methods can provide choice, option and enrichment, but they are not intended to reach a state of decision making, self regulation or intrinsic motivation.
What is Intrinsic Motivation?
Intrinsic Motivation, as defined by Co-Pilot, is the drive to engage in an activity because it is inherently enjoyable or fulfilling. This type of motivation arises from within the individual, as opposed to extrinsic motivation, which is driven by external rewards or the desire to avoid punishment. Examples include playing sports or completing an online course that one chooses to do (not a requirement). For dogs living on the streets, they find food or safe places to sleep because they are intrinsically motivated to stay alive. Dogs living in homes are intrinsically motivated to feel happiness by playing with their dog friends.
There is a slight, yet important distinction, between “Inherent” and “Intrinsic”. For a motivator to be intrinsic, it must be inherent, but not all inherent motivators are intrinsic.
Inherent is defined as “existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute.” For example, a dog associates the car with going to the dog park, thus getting into the car can act as inherent reward providing an opportunity to teach commands (ie – stay-ok!). The human did not create the reward of getting in the car, but rather, the dog views the car as an essential element in getting to the park. The dog is intrinsically motivated to go to the dog park because it feels good emotionally and physically to play and exercise.
Examples of intrinsic motivators can also include the feeling of accomplishment when one quits drinking or chooses to change their behavior and/or reaction when disappointed. They accomplish this by self-regulating their emotions and recognizing their options.
This is where we leave the realm of inherent motivators.
To reach a level of intrinsic motivation, we must know that we have choices and options; however, just because we have choices does not mean we are intrinsically motivated. Choices or options are either extrinsic motivators/contrived rewards, or inherent rewards, such, as which way to go on a walk or the option of different toys.
Decision-making is an emotional act. For example, the decision to play is determined by an emotion requiring the understanding that playing is an option. Once a dog decides to play (intrinsic), they can choose their toy or play activity (extrinsic or inherent).
The articles on Intrinsic Motivation I read online recommended using inherent rewards to teach a behavior, while claiming these to be intrinsic motivators. Simply advancing from a Contrived or Extrinsic Reward to an Inherent Reward will not achieve Intrinsic Motivation. Additionally, the goal of Intrinsic Motivation is not to teach expected behavior, which the authors of the article were attempting to do. Intrinsic Motivation is the result of self-regulating emotions and, thus, choosing to change behavior. Self-regulation is not achieved with reinforcements. Essentially, these trainers were trying to achieve a state of Intrinsic Motivation while applying Conditioning methods (operant or counter), which is simply not possible.
To achieve Intrinsic Motivation, we tap into exercises that encourage decision making. We may take advantage of inherent rewards, but the reward itself is not the motivator that we care about. Instead, the situation provides an opportunity to implement cognitive exercises that practice decision making.
Why is this important?
For dogs who are anxious, fearful or angry, they are feeling emotions that are driving their behaviors. We cannot tell them their emotions are wrong or even try to change their natural reaction using rewards – these approaches often increase the anxiety because they feel we do not respect their emotions.
To effectively work with dogs whose behaviors stem from emotions, we develop cognitive exercises that correlate with the reason for the behavior, which is not, for example, previous trauma or lack of socialization, but rather the reason for the emotion in the moment, such as reliance on habits or routines, lack of processing, or cognitive dissonance. The exercises are practiced during daily activities where the dog is comfortable using inherent rewards, allowing for advanced decision making. We then advance the exercises creatively (this is super fun and dogs love it!) while, simultaneously, applying these exercises proactively to increasingly challenging situations to prevent panic and discomfort.
Cognitive exercises practice resetting the brain, allowing for processing and decision making. As with humans, once we experience the ability to make decisions without going into a state of panic, we naturally choose to feel this emotional comfort, hence reaching a state of intrinsic motivation – it simply feels good not to panic!
So, what about dogs who are simply happy and playful, but their behaviors are annoying?
Well, these behaviors are driven by happy emotions and knowing they have options (“what happens if I don’t come when called?”). So, yes, CCBT using Intrinsic Motivators is a proven effective method and is proven more effective in the adolescent stage (6-24 months) when dogs are often deemed behaviorally challenging.
What are cognitive exercises?
These exercises are developed based on several factors, including, but not limited to, the reason for the behavior (there are five reasons, of which I mentioned two earlier), living conditions (shelter vs home), individual inherent rewards providing opportunities, and the cognitive level of the dog. These exercises are not “one-fits-all” and they adapt and change as the program develops. Think of them in the same light humans practice resetting their brain – journalling, yoga, exercise, hobbies, writing. The act of doing these activities forces us to reset our brain and self-regulate our emotions. When feeling stressed or anxious, for example, entering a busy area where we know there will be people who make us uncomfortable, we do not need our journal or to suddenly perform a yoga pose to reset our brain because we have practiced doing this in other situations. By deciding (yes, decision-making) not to panic, we can then calmly and efficiently choose our option, for example, leave the room or find a seat at a table with people we are comfortable with. We then continue to make decisions throughout our time there by recognizing our ability to self-regulate our emotions and acknowledging our choices.
How do we accomplish all this?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a scientifically proven method that establishes cognitive exercises that allow for decision-making, self-regulation and intrinsic motivation, which cannot be accomplished using reward-based methods or reinforcements.
Canine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CCBT) adheres to the principles of CBT. It is scientifically proven that dogs can, and do, think cognitively and are intrinsically motivated. CCBT is evidence-based, proven through qualitative studies, to effectively and non-aversively integrate dogs from challenging situations into good homes, prevent anxiety, and address behavioral concerns stemming from emotions, simply by providing the ability to make decisions, self-regulate and reach a state of intrinsic motivation.
Interested in learning more? Visit www.instituteofcaninepsychotherapy.com or check out our podcast, Dog Training DisrUPted.
