This page is a component of the Glossary of the Dog Science, CBC
Dog Training Workshop, and an element of the Dog Science Network
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A Punisher
A punisher, loosely defined: A punisher refers to anything that your dog dislikes so much that he is willing to change his behavior in order to avoid it. For example, if you deliver a corrective tap to your dog's nose when he barks, and he wants to avoid being smacked enough to cause him to bark less in the future, then, for your dog, a nose tap can be said to be a punisher.
A punisher, formerly defined: If, following a response, the presentation of a given stimulus consistently results in the reduction of the frequency of that response, then, that stimulus can be rightfully said to be a punisher.
Punishers are also often referred to as aversives. However, strictly speaking, an aversive can only be said to be a punisher if its application actually succeeds in reducing the rate of the target response.
When we refer to dispensing a punisher or dispensing punishment, we just mean that you are applying the punisher. In other words, you are punishing the dog.
This website advocates the use of four punishers, when appropriate: