KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
How does your dog learn?
Your dog learns in two ways:
1) Classical Conditioning - Associations: these can be positive or negative, and your dog learns these ALL THE TIME!!!
Firstly, you must be aware that your dog is 'training' under these rules every minute, every day. Those little things you do - habits, voice tone, places you visit, etc - all form positive or negative associations for your dog. You dog doesn't need to do anything to learn these associations, he will develop them from simply watching things happen.
So...
As you can see, these associations mean a lot to your dog - and all revolve around you! This means YOU have the power to ensure these associations are positive, or are changed to positive through training exercises. Remember though, even the positive associations can lead to problems, such as over-excitement, jumping up, lack of concentration, etc so your own energy levels must be used accordingly to achieve the behaviours you want from your dog. Stay calm but happy with an excitable dog, and get energised with a 'lazy' one!
2) Operant Conditioning - Behaviours: Your dog has to do something to get a reward
This is where the commands or cues come in. Operant conditioning means the dog gets a reward (reinforcement) for doing something right. This is important, as this type of learning is also happening throughout the day, and what your DOG views as reinforcement, might not be the same for YOU.
So...
The difficult thing about this type of learning - especially the unwanted behaviours - is that the dog will work harder at something he views is working - so, if you let him out of his crate, or give him his food when he barks, next time he will bark louder, more dramatically and sooner than he did before, to try to get the reinforcement (be let out/ food) to come faster.
However, the great thing about this learning, is how easy it is to teach your dog to respond well to cues using positive reinforcement. You just have to figure out what your dog loves most and use these things to reward his good behaviour.
Your dog learns in two ways:
1) Classical Conditioning - Associations: these can be positive or negative, and your dog learns these ALL THE TIME!!!
Firstly, you must be aware that your dog is 'training' under these rules every minute, every day. Those little things you do - habits, voice tone, places you visit, etc - all form positive or negative associations for your dog. You dog doesn't need to do anything to learn these associations, he will develop them from simply watching things happen.
So...
- When you pick up the lead - he knows he is about to go for a walk
- When you pick up his bowl- he knows he is going to be fed
- When there is a knock at the door - he knows you have a visitor who might want to play
- When you're out on a walk and a black dog appears - your dog remembers the black dog who once attacked him, and is afraid
- When you pick up the lead - he might have learned you are taking him in the car...and he hates the car
- When you put on your coat - he knows you are about to leave him...alone
As you can see, these associations mean a lot to your dog - and all revolve around you! This means YOU have the power to ensure these associations are positive, or are changed to positive through training exercises. Remember though, even the positive associations can lead to problems, such as over-excitement, jumping up, lack of concentration, etc so your own energy levels must be used accordingly to achieve the behaviours you want from your dog. Stay calm but happy with an excitable dog, and get energised with a 'lazy' one!
2) Operant Conditioning - Behaviours: Your dog has to do something to get a reward
This is where the commands or cues come in. Operant conditioning means the dog gets a reward (reinforcement) for doing something right. This is important, as this type of learning is also happening throughout the day, and what your DOG views as reinforcement, might not be the same for YOU.
So...
- Your dog performs a sit on command - he gets a treat
- Your dog comes when he is called - he receives praise/ a treat/ a walk/ play
- Your dog counter-surfs - he is rewarded with food left waiting for him on the counter!
- You call your dog back to you on a walk - he learns you will put on the lead: no more playtime - so he doesn't recall
- You scold your dog if he counter-surfs when you are there - so he waits until you are out of the room
- Your dog hates being in his crate - so he barks and barks until you let him out again
The difficult thing about this type of learning - especially the unwanted behaviours - is that the dog will work harder at something he views is working - so, if you let him out of his crate, or give him his food when he barks, next time he will bark louder, more dramatically and sooner than he did before, to try to get the reinforcement (be let out/ food) to come faster.
However, the great thing about this learning, is how easy it is to teach your dog to respond well to cues using positive reinforcement. You just have to figure out what your dog loves most and use these things to reward his good behaviour.
Responding to your dog's behaviours - REINFORCEMENT
Positive Reinforcement - Your dogs gets something good for performing the desired behaviour!
The key to a dog's survival, is to avoid harm. The key to a dog's healthy wellbeing is that its physical and mental needs are met. This includes the following:
No matter what your dog does, he is always doing what feels good for him in that moment. Whether it is following/ ignoring a command, stealing food, chasing squirrels, jumping up on visitors, avoiding the bath tub, or anything else. This is why they can have good and 'bad' days in training, or just generally around the house. Dogs are not machines, and have their own minds and characters, which means clarity, consistency and patience are vital processes for us humans to get right.
It is our responsibility as owners, to teach our dogs how to gain positive reinforcement for behaving in an acceptable way. He will learn, but it may take some time for him to make those new associations. So, keep training consistently, and be patient.
A word about Punishment:
It may be tempting to scream and shout when your dog does something you don't like, but it is vital you ask yourself these questions:
Remember, shouting at your dog is a type of reinforcement - known as Positive Punishment: you shout until the dog stops doing the unwanted behaviour. The problem is that the behaviour will most likely happen repeatedly - leading to more shouting and a negative relationship between you and your dog. The same applies to hitting, confining, excluding your dog as a consequence to 'bad' behaviour, except your dog will also learn to fear you and this can lead to aggression , insecurity and/or many other problems. This is not your dog holding a grudge, it is an emotional reaction to past experience/s.
What is really happening when your dog does something 'naughty', is that your dog is doing what works best for him. At all times he is looking for a good feeling - whether that is gaining a reward, or avoiding something harmful or unpleasant. So, as you can see - it generally works best to be the one providing him with the positive reinforcement in the first place, rather than the very opposite.
Positive Reinforcement - Your dogs gets something good for performing the desired behaviour!
The key to a dog's survival, is to avoid harm. The key to a dog's healthy wellbeing is that its physical and mental needs are met. This includes the following:
- Food/ Water/ Shelter/ Medical Care/ Exercise
- Love
- Play
- Enrichment
- Breed specific activities
- Socialisation
- Opportunities to behave like a dog!
No matter what your dog does, he is always doing what feels good for him in that moment. Whether it is following/ ignoring a command, stealing food, chasing squirrels, jumping up on visitors, avoiding the bath tub, or anything else. This is why they can have good and 'bad' days in training, or just generally around the house. Dogs are not machines, and have their own minds and characters, which means clarity, consistency and patience are vital processes for us humans to get right.
It is our responsibility as owners, to teach our dogs how to gain positive reinforcement for behaving in an acceptable way. He will learn, but it may take some time for him to make those new associations. So, keep training consistently, and be patient.
A word about Punishment:
It may be tempting to scream and shout when your dog does something you don't like, but it is vital you ask yourself these questions:
- Does my dog really understand what he is expected to do?
- Have I accidentally reinforced the wrong behaviour?
- Does shouting cause the behaviour to stop occurring? - or - Does my dog repeat the same unwanted behaviour anyway?
Remember, shouting at your dog is a type of reinforcement - known as Positive Punishment: you shout until the dog stops doing the unwanted behaviour. The problem is that the behaviour will most likely happen repeatedly - leading to more shouting and a negative relationship between you and your dog. The same applies to hitting, confining, excluding your dog as a consequence to 'bad' behaviour, except your dog will also learn to fear you and this can lead to aggression , insecurity and/or many other problems. This is not your dog holding a grudge, it is an emotional reaction to past experience/s.
What is really happening when your dog does something 'naughty', is that your dog is doing what works best for him. At all times he is looking for a good feeling - whether that is gaining a reward, or avoiding something harmful or unpleasant. So, as you can see - it generally works best to be the one providing him with the positive reinforcement in the first place, rather than the very opposite.
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Unravelling a problem behaviour
All unwanted behaviours have three things in common: A - Antecedents B - Behaviour C - Consequences So, to unravel the unwanted behaviour, you need to understand these things: What happens/ happened directly before the behaviour occurred, and what came after? How did you react? What did the dog achieve? How would the dog view that result as a good thing? Once you know these vital bits of information, you can begin to re-programme the behaviour pattern. This is known as Behaviour Modification. Sometimes, it as simple as removing a cue you didn't realise you were giving, other times it is a little more complicated and can take many months of hard work to help a dog overcome a learned behaviour. |
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Body Language
As important as it is to be aware and in control of your own body, it is crucial to learn to understand your dog's own body language and signals. There are so many various little signs he gives out throughout the day, and these reflect his emotional state - whether he is nervous, excited, anxious/ afraid, cautious, happy, etc. These signals are easy to understand and interpret if you are another dog, but us humans have to learn and practice to become fluent.
The reason this is important is because your dog has his own mind. You cannot fully control your dog, he has the capability to choose whether to listen to you, or not. These body signals can make a huge difference to the success of your training and the bond you have together.
These same signals can also make you aware that your dog is not as happy as he should be. He may be trying to warn you to back off, give him space, but appears to be 'submitting' to you. This is a common misconception and leads to many dog bites.
- Wouldn't it be great if you realised before he bit you, that he was asking nicely in the first place?
It is also worth reading up on canine body language to help understand your dog, because many of the signals he gives mean more than one thing. It really does depend on the context, history and which other signals are given at the same time.
For example, a dog wagging his tail may be perceived as a happy dog, but that is not always the case. A dog rolling over onto his back may be thought to be submissive/ inviting a stroke, when in fact what you might miss is facial tension, appeasing gestures and the beginnings of a lip curl - all leading towards a bite if you don't move away.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to learn your dog's individual signs and signals, behaviour patterns and play routines. These are vital to support your dog in having a happy and interactive life.
As important as it is to be aware and in control of your own body, it is crucial to learn to understand your dog's own body language and signals. There are so many various little signs he gives out throughout the day, and these reflect his emotional state - whether he is nervous, excited, anxious/ afraid, cautious, happy, etc. These signals are easy to understand and interpret if you are another dog, but us humans have to learn and practice to become fluent.
The reason this is important is because your dog has his own mind. You cannot fully control your dog, he has the capability to choose whether to listen to you, or not. These body signals can make a huge difference to the success of your training and the bond you have together.
These same signals can also make you aware that your dog is not as happy as he should be. He may be trying to warn you to back off, give him space, but appears to be 'submitting' to you. This is a common misconception and leads to many dog bites.
- Wouldn't it be great if you realised before he bit you, that he was asking nicely in the first place?
It is also worth reading up on canine body language to help understand your dog, because many of the signals he gives mean more than one thing. It really does depend on the context, history and which other signals are given at the same time.
For example, a dog wagging his tail may be perceived as a happy dog, but that is not always the case. A dog rolling over onto his back may be thought to be submissive/ inviting a stroke, when in fact what you might miss is facial tension, appeasing gestures and the beginnings of a lip curl - all leading towards a bite if you don't move away.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to learn your dog's individual signs and signals, behaviour patterns and play routines. These are vital to support your dog in having a happy and interactive life.
If you would like more information on any of the above, or to discuss how to implement these with your dog, please get in touch.
I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source"
– Doris Day
