My Sidekick and Me: Bootleg Reinforcement

By Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC

When I say the word ‘bootleg’ to you, your thoughts are more than likely go to hard-core alcohol or moonshine. The definition includes all things produced, reproduced, or distributed illegally without authorization or licensing.

In learning theory and pet training, we also talk about some reinforcement as bootleg. In this context, it refers to one (of many) reasons why you may be having problems replacing one of your dog’s problem behaviors. That problem behavior may be reinforced by something in the environment.  Think of it as the environment is giving reinforcement without your authorization. 

It can change your dog’s motivation to learn replacement behaviors, since there is still a lot of value in performing the original behavior. 

Here is a common example. 

A dog guardian is at a baseball field to practice recall with his dog. His dog is off-leash. The man asks his dog to lie down (also practicing a stay) and walks away. Just as he is about to call his dog to come, a woman with a dog arrives to play a game of fetch. They are at the other end of the field. Now the dog in the stay has a choice to make. Does he run to his guardian when called and get a couple of treats, or does the dog run in the other direction to be part of the fetch game? 

Chances are, that dog will choose the fetch game. And, when he does, the value he received from making that choice WAY outvalues what he would get if he ran to his guardian instead. In the future, what choice do you think the dog would make? 

Bootleg reinforcement is powerful. 

You will need to put on your problem-solving hat to figure out what is in the environment that is competing with your value. Sometimes it is easier than others to figure this out. 

Pay attention.  Why is that activity of such importance to your dog? How can you give your dog access to activities that fulfill that same need? When your dog’s biological needs are not met, your dog is much more likely to behave in ways that you do not approve. 

As an example, terriers were historically bred as tenacious, independent workers designed to hunt, kill, and flush out vermin above and below ground. To feel fulfilled, they need enrichment that allows them to do this. While you may not want your terrier to hunt vermin, you can bury bones, toss food in a toy bin, hide food in a pile of leaves, or in a garden of ivy. 

How can you incorporate what your dog wants to do into building value for what you want your dog to do by using your dog’s choices as consequences of the replacement behavior you are teaching? 

Does your dog have a strong desire to chase? Awesome! Release your dog from a stay to chase you. 

Make sure to have a management plan to prevent your pet from having free access to those unwanted choices and create access as a result of engagement with you. 

Need help? I’d love to hear from you!

Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC, with So Much PETential was voted 2024 Cincinnati’s Best Community Choice Award winner in pet training. She is a certified dog trainer, a certified Family Dog Mediator, and the first trainer in Hamilton County to earn Fear Free certification. She is also a licensed Family Paws Parent Educator. She is committed to using and teaching the most positive, science-based approaches to changing behavior. For more information, visit SoMuchPETential.com.