What characterizes Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates of Behavior (DRL)?

Differential Reinforcement of Low Rates of Behavior (DRL) is characterized by the requirement that responses must occur after a certain elapsed time. This means that the trainer is reinforcing behaviors only when they occur at lower rates than usual, encouraging the dog to engage in that behavior less frequently.

The main goal of DRL is to reduce the frequency of a specific behavior, rather than eliminate it entirely. By allowing a certain time period to pass before reinforcing the behavior, the trainer can effectively promote more controlled and less frequent responses. This method is particularly useful in managing behaviors that are not problematic when they happen occasionally but can become undesirable when they occur too often.

Therefore, under DRL, the emphasis is on timing and the rate of behavior, ensuring that the reinforcement is only provided when the dog demonstrates the desired low frequency of the behavior.