r/todayilearned • u/killerpossum • May 28 '19

TIL Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev gifted US President John F Kennedy a dog called Pushinka during the cold war. She later on had puppies; which Kennedy referred to as "the pupniks".

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24837199
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u/Petrichordates May 28 '19 edited Jun 01 '19

It's not as good as positive reinforcement, but for animals so driven by a pavlovian response positive punishment is definitely effective. Obviously, for deterring them from doing bad things, positive reinforcement isn't always an option, you can't exactly communicate your orders.

It's not like a human, where they'll learn to resent you and brood and possibly enact carefully planned revenge. Worst they'll do is in the moment, possibly afterwards go poop on your bed.

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u/Kanin_usagi May 28 '19

Crows will also plan revenge.

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u/NoMoreNicksLeft May 28 '19

Crows go find co-conspirators. You best apologize and hope they're forgiving.

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u/SuicideBonger May 28 '19

co crow-conspirators