Reinforcement should be delivered immediately after the desired behavior from "summary" of Don't Shoot the Dog! by Karen Pryor
The key principle to remember in the realm of behavior modification is timing. When it comes to reinforcing a desired behavior, the timing of the reinforcement is crucial. It must be immediate, right after the behavior occurs. This is because the closer the reinforcement is to the behavior, the stronger the association between the two becomes in the learner's mind. If there is a delay between the behavior and the reinforcement, the learner may not make the connection between the two. The reinforcement may lose its effectiveness or even be associated with a different behavior altogether. For example, if you praise a dog for sitting five minutes after it actually sat, the dog may not understand what it is being praised for. Immediate reinforcement, on the other hand, allows the learner to clearly understand which behavior is being reinforced. It provides a clear and immediate signal to the learner that the behavior they just exhibited is the one you desire. This instant feedback helps to strengthen the association between the behavior and the reinforcement, making it more likely that the behavior will be repeated in the future. By delivering reinforcement immediately after the desired behavior, you are increasing the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated. This is because the learner can easily connect the behavior with the consequence, leading to faster learning and more consistent behavior. Remember, timing is everything when it comes to shaping behavior. So be sure to reinforce immediately after the desired behavior to maximize the effectiveness of your training efforts.
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