Premack Principle 101

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The Premack Principle (or `Grandma`s rule) asserts that more probable behaviors can be used to reinforce less probable behaviors. "Eat your greens and you can have pudding."

Here is a short visual presentation of the Premack Principle at work. High-probability behaviors are activities which are performed voluntarily and which are enjoyed for themselves. Sniffing, chasing squirrels, and all kinds of stuff that your dog enjoys are in this category.

Low-probability behaviors, are behaviors which are often learned or trained. For example, recall! The opportunity to engage in those fun high probability behaviors is a reinforcer for those not so fun low probability, learned behaviors.