Unusual Replacement Behavior

Replacement behavior is chosen for its ability to function similarly to the target behavior. Often the function that is served by the target behavior is not one that is evident to the average owner. For example, it is typical that an animal receives some sort of positive reinforcement for the undesirable behavior, even if that reinforcement comes in the form of disapproval. If puppy nips and mom yells "no!" the pup may experience the reprimand as positive reinforcement and continue to exhibit the behavior.

Sometimes these reinforcers are a bit of a surprise. As a result, the replacement behavior chosen can seem unusual to the average pet owner. The video here 
displays an unusual replacement behavior for thunderstorm fear: play. Often play can be an effective replacement behavior because it is self-reinforcing. It can also provide a change in antecedents. In this particular video it seems to provide a distraction from what would otherwise be a singular focus on the source of the fear. But how does this behavior function in the same way as the thunderstorm?

My guess is that the actual function of the fear behavior was positive reinforcement- attention. Perhaps the dog's owner felt bad for her and tried to comfort her in a storm. This type of attention can actually reinforce the fear behavior. By giving the dog a toy and playing with her, she is still receiving the attention from her owner. Therefore, the play behavior that is being used as a replacement is in fact serving the same function a the target behavior.