Final answer:
The reinforcement strategy you're referring to is called operant conditioning, using positive reinforcement to encourage desirable behavior, similar to how Pavlov's dogs learned to associate a bell with food.
Step-by-step explanation:
The training recommendation you've described is a form of operant conditioning, where a response is associated with a consequence. Specifically, it involves the use of positive reinforcement to increase the desired behavior of not barking. By reinforcing periods of silence with a treat and then releasing the dog with the command "go bark", you create a situation where the dog learns to associate quiet behavior with receiving a reward. This technique also incorporates a controlled level of stimulus discrimination, allowing the dog to understand when barking is appropriate versus when it is not.
Positive reinforcement is incredibly effective for teaching new behaviors. As in Pavlov's experiments where dogs were conditioned to associate the ringing of a bell with food, behavioral conditioning relies on the association between a behavior and its consequence. In this case, the dog is being trained to understand that being quiet leads to positive outcomes, while the command to "go bark" sets clear boundaries when barking is allowed.