A behavior is built by its training history.

As we know there are two ways to reinforce a behavior, by removing an aversive or adding an appetitive. When we use mild aversive and release or when we are adding mild appetitives we are depositing a small amount in the behavior's reinforcement history. When we use strong aversives and release or high value appetitives, we add larger deposits to the behavior's reinforcement history.

This history is important, because it determines the likliehood the behavior will happen in a situation. A behavior with low reinforcement value is not likely to occur when there are competing aspects in the environment (grass, scary things, or even the natural difficulty of the behavior being asked). A behavior with a stronger history is more likely to occur when there is competition.

To achieve this, sometimes we'll use low level, but consistent repetition of a behavior to build it's reinforcement history. Practicing as much as possible in reliable situations before progressing the skill to harder levels or harder scenarios. We can also boost a behavior with a strong, high value reinforcer.

This is why, when we watch R- training we often see people rapidly escalating aversives to high levels. This will create bigger, more reliable behaviors in more situations, faster. If it doesn't have major emotional and behavioral fallout. Otherwise the option is to repetitively practice the skill.

But we can actually do the same thing with a different emotional connection. Rather than escalating aversives, we either repeat or escalate the appetitives to build the strength on a behavior! So rather than pulling out a whip when your aids aren't enough, you can pull out a cookie when the hay pellets aren't enough. You can practice your training frequently with low value feed to make a strong behavior or pump up a behavior with higher value reinforcers. Building strong, reliable behaviors with R+ that will work even in hard situations.