Based on the behavior modification theories of B.F. Skinner and other prominent forefathers of psychology, the On Target Training system works on the principles of Operant Conditioning. Operant Conditioning is the act of operating on the environment. In this case, think of your horse behaving in a certain way to affect his environment. When your horse does something that affects his surroundings, such as raising his head up so that you cannot touch his ears, he is acting on his environment. When you don't touch his ears, he is reinforced.
Reinforcement is anything that increases the frequency of the behavior that immediately precedes it.
By using your techniques we have been able to increase our horses performance in fewer training hours your class was enjoyable and easy to follow. Minneapolis Police Dept. Reward Reinforcement A stimulus such as food that when presented has a reinforcing value. Shawna using reward reinforcement. Note the clicker, target, and food.