If somebody ever invents an overshadowing Bingo sport, Lewis and I’ll win!
About Overshadowing
Typically a stimulus we attempt to classically situation has a couple of side that may be sensed, like an object that may be each seen and smelled. This type of stimulus is named a compound stimulus. The phenomenon of overshadowing might happen when compound stimuli are conditioned as a result of one of many easy stimuli will probably forestall the opposite/s from being conditioned absolutely or in any respect.
I not too long ago encountered a scenario the place doubtlessly 5 totally different stimuli had been “competing” to be classically conditioned. And of these 5, the one most probably to “win” the conditioning was not the one which I wanted probably the most. I needed to deal with the issue, as a result of it was in a coaching challenge that was essential for Lewis’ wellbeing.
Oromucosal Drugs Administration
Lewis has been recognized with sound phobia to fireworks and thunderstorms, and considered one of his medicines is to be delivered topically to his gum and cheek tissue.
The directions for administering this medication require that the human put on protecting gloves in order to not contact the medicinal gel, which could be absorbed by way of, for instance, a reduce within the pores and skin. Gloves are a brand new factor for Lewis.
I considered whether or not I ought to use classical conditioning to assist him have a constructive response to the gloves and gathered up what I wanted. I take advantage of disposable kitchen gloves for lots of duties, in order that’s what I received out. Whoa! These gloves make a particular noisy rattle when touched or manipulated. You’ll be able to’t even get them out of the field with out the canine listening to them.
You most likely see the place that is going.
I needed Lewis to have good emotions in regards to the gloves. However what side of them? What number of issues are doubtlessly totally different for a canine once you put a glove in your hand for a husbandry activity, one that features placing your finger within the canine’s mouth? How about:
- the sight of the glove on the hand
- the sound the glove makes
- the sensation of being touched by a gloved hand
- the odor of the glove
- the style of the glove
We’ve doubtlessly received all 5 senses concerned; the gloves current a compound stimulus.
Bingo?
How about one other listing? What number of issues in regards to the gloves may trouble Lewis? No must repeat; it’s the identical listing. However realizing him, I might guess that having a gloved finger caught in his mouth between his cheek and gums would bug him probably the most. However of all these, the sound usually occurs first, and is tremendous salient. How can I classically situation the mouth contact with out it being overshadowed by the crackle of the glove?
The Setting Would Like a Phrase
The plastic kitchen gloves I’ve are terrible for the setting. I might make a distinct resolution now. There isn’t any good disposable glove but, however latex is constituted of rubber and a few latex gloves could be biodegradable. Reusable rubber gloves could be higher than what I’ve, however they’re too cumbersome for this job with this canine. Be at liberty to remark with recommendations.
Options to the Overshadowing Downside
So, how do I be sure that Lewis has constructive emotions about being touched (within the mouth) by the gloves, on condition that classical conditioning is extra prone to connect to the sound of them? Listed here are the chances I thought of.
Completely different gloves: I’m positive a few of you might be internally screaming an answer. Get totally different gloves! Quieter ones! Good concept. I’ll be in search of a more sensible choice. However within the meantime, I’ll proceed with what I’ve.
Workarounds: There are some issues I might attempt to do in regards to the sound. I might placed on the gloves in a far a part of the home and play masking sounds whereas I did that, simply to make sure. Then I might method Lewis and do no matter step of the plan comes subsequent. Present him a gloved hand, deal with. Or contact him with a gloved finger, deal with. That might forestall among the predictive energy of rattling the gloves. However once I present him or contact him, the gloves will nonetheless make noise.
Use an operant coaching plan: That is the answer I selected. The gloves weren’t scary to Lewis; they had been simply new and bizarre. So quite than aiming for classical conditioning, I went for desensitization coupled with operant conditioning.
For our first session, I tossed him a few treats once I received the gloves out. Then I strengthened sniffing the glove, nose-targeting the glove whereas I held it loosely, and nose-targeting it whereas it was on my hand. Then I requested him to do a chin relaxation on a towel in my lap with the glove on high. Lewis mentioned, “That is simple cash!”
Within the subsequent classes, I had the glove on my proper hand and touched his cheek whereas I held his muzzle with my left. We had beforehand labored on this step with out the glove.
The video consists of excerpts from the three coaching classes the place we progressed from him accepting my finger in his mouth to accepting my gloved finger in his mouth. We spent six to seven minutes of coaching over three classes, which was extra time than he wanted.
Watch with sound if you wish to hear how noisy the gloves are (and listen to me say, “Good boy!” a few thousand instances).
Going Ahead
The operant work with the gloves made them predictors of fine issues (classical conditioning rode alongside). This work gave Lewis an ideal basis for the subsequent step: placing a syringe between his cheek and gum whereas carrying gloves. The gloved finger was a very good early substitute for the syringe.
Compound Stimuli
A number of simultaneous stimuli are occurring on a regular basis. When presenting an object, you possibly can wager that the majority canines will odor it in addition to see it. A lot of visible stimuli make noises, too. As one textbook factors out, it’s nearly inconceivable to keep away from a number of stimuli (Pierce & Cheney, 2008, p. 58). This expertise has made me take into consideration them much more. The Bingo sport will not be all that uncommon. I’m happy I found out a option to win this time.
Thanks to the a number of professionals who supplied supplies and direct assist for Lewis’ husbandry coaching. I couldn’t have achieved it alone!
Copyright 2025 Eileen Anderson
References
- Pierce, W. D., & Cheney, C. D. (2008). Habits evaluation and studying (4th ed.). Psychology Press.
