Final answer:
To extinguish a puppy's crying and barking to be let into the house, one should ignore these behaviors rather than punish them, employing a classical conditioning principle called extinction, where the crying and barking (CS) is no longer paired with being let inside (US).
Step-by-step explanation:
To extinguish a puppy's conditioned response of crying and barking to be let into the house, one would implement a process called extinction, which involves the removal of the reinforcement that maintains the behavior. In this case, it means ignoring the puppy's cries and barks, not punishing it. Over time, the puppy will learn that crying and barking do not lead to the desired outcome of being let inside. This method is based on the principles of classical conditioning, first studied by Ivan Pavlov, where a conditional stimulus (CS), such as the sound of the puppy barking, is no longer paired with the unconditional stimulus (US), which was the opening of the door. Through consistent application of this approach, the conditioned response (CR) of crying and barking will diminish.
Additionally, ensuring the puppy has a regular schedule for going outside and receiving positive attention at times when it is not crying or barking can reinforce quiet behavior. Methods involving punishment, like swatting the puppy with a newspaper, can induce fear and may lead to more problematic behaviors, a view that has been reinforced by studies such as those reflected in the work of Yon, Sophia (2002).