Carrot vs. Stick, contd.

First, you need to know the difference between negative and positive reinforcement.

It's possible to train ourselves to do things by punishing ourselves each time we do something wrong, but this method is both inefficient and inhumane.

Positive reinforcement, rewarding ourselves each step of the way as we accomplish a series of small goals on the way to achieving the large one (called "shaping"), is both more pleasant and much more effective.

If you've tried, God forbid, to train a puppy by beating it, you'll know that you can end up with a docile dog, but not one with any spirit or joy  Puppies who are trained with praise and treats grow into lively, obedient dogs.

Joan Bolker