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Method One: Dog PsychologyIt all begins with miscommunication, or intention vs. perception. Humans and dogs speak separate languages - people are extremely verbal while dogs are extremely non-verbal. Canine communication consists of eye contact, and body language. Have you ever been in the presence of someone that gave you the creeps? You may not have spoken to them but you feel something that makes you uncomfortable? That is energy.
The most important law when trying to understand animals, especially canines, is that they follow strong and confident personalities. They do not follow anything that is interpreted as weak or unstable. For example; Are you anxious when your dog is misbehaving? Do you feel sorry for your dog? Or maybe guilty? These emotions are interpreted much differently by dogs. For most people, this can be a difficult concept to grasp in the beginning. But once you begin to see and understand, it all becomes very clear. Your dog needs to know that you know how to lead him. They need to know that you are confident in your decisions and that you can handle whatever the world throws at you. NCA's definition of dominance is the art of leadership. Three pillars that are fundamental to success:
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We use two primary behavior-conditioning styles: classical conditioning and operant conditioning. Both are useful in shaping behavior.
Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning is also called “Pavlovian conditioning.” Classical conditioning is best defined as the dog understanding a simple association, as depicted in the photograph.
The dog never had to learn to salivate when he smelled food. The trainer made a simple association for the dog between bell and food until the dog anticipated food at the sound of the bell.
Classical conditioning is also called “Pavlovian conditioning.” Classical conditioning is best defined as the dog understanding a simple association, as depicted in the photograph.
The dog never had to learn to salivate when he smelled food. The trainer made a simple association for the dog between bell and food until the dog anticipated food at the sound of the bell.
Operant Conditioning
Operant conditioning is best defined as teaching a dog that the particular behavior he chooses to do has a particular consequence. This means that the most significant influence on an animal's behavior is what happens immediately after he makes a particular choice of behavior. A dog makes all of its choices based upon the value of the reward it anticipates as a result of that choice. If the behavior is rewarding, the likelihood of choosing that behavior is increased. If the behavior is "not" rewarding, the likelihood of a dog choosing that behavior is significantly decreased.
There is always a consequence to behaviors with operant conditioning. In the above example, the dog must learn to back away from the food at the sound of the bell in order to get the food. Since backing away from the food is not an automatic response to food (like salivating or moving toward food) but rather something the dog must learn to do, it qualifies as operant conditioning.
Operant conditioning is comprised of 4 quadrants, or 4 possible consequences of behavior choices and extinction learning.
Positive Reinforcement - Something good can start or be presented, so behavior increases
Negative Punishment - Something good can end or be taken away, so behavior decreases
Positive Punishment - Something bad can start or be presented, so behavior decreases
Negative Reinforcement - Something bad can end or be taken away, so behavior increases
*Extinction Learning - This occurs when a behavior that had been previously rewarded is no longer effective at achieving the dog's desired reward.
Operant conditioning is best defined as teaching a dog that the particular behavior he chooses to do has a particular consequence. This means that the most significant influence on an animal's behavior is what happens immediately after he makes a particular choice of behavior. A dog makes all of its choices based upon the value of the reward it anticipates as a result of that choice. If the behavior is rewarding, the likelihood of choosing that behavior is increased. If the behavior is "not" rewarding, the likelihood of a dog choosing that behavior is significantly decreased.
There is always a consequence to behaviors with operant conditioning. In the above example, the dog must learn to back away from the food at the sound of the bell in order to get the food. Since backing away from the food is not an automatic response to food (like salivating or moving toward food) but rather something the dog must learn to do, it qualifies as operant conditioning.
Operant conditioning is comprised of 4 quadrants, or 4 possible consequences of behavior choices and extinction learning.
Positive Reinforcement - Something good can start or be presented, so behavior increases
Negative Punishment - Something good can end or be taken away, so behavior decreases
Positive Punishment - Something bad can start or be presented, so behavior decreases
Negative Reinforcement - Something bad can end or be taken away, so behavior increases
*Extinction Learning - This occurs when a behavior that had been previously rewarded is no longer effective at achieving the dog's desired reward.