How Dogs Learn.

Pups & Pooches Dog Behaviour.

Have you ever wondered how dogs learn and apply meaning to events?

If I offered an analogy in terms of a computer system and a dogs nervous system this

may help to explain.

Think of the computer hardware, that is the desktop/laptop or mobile phone as being equivalent to the dogs brain, nervous system and neuro transmitters.

Then consider the software you need to make the hardware work e.g. windows operating systems etc as being equivalent to 3 ways that dogs pair meaning to events, those being

Classical Conditioning (pairing through repeated exposure of 2 things together)

Operant Conditioning (learning through consequences) and Concept Conditioning (learning news skills).

Now consider the applications which allow computers to provide useful output such as emails, FB posts etc, this is comparable to using behaviour strategies and training games to grow your dogs' skills.

Once you have bought your computer hardware with the preinstalled software, downloaded apps to support the functions that you need from the computer the end results are varied but ultimately fixed or limited.

In comparison to a dogs and their emotions which underpin their behaviour IT IS possible to change emotions and by doing so expect different behaviours as a direct result of that.

So if you are struggling with a dog who has BIG emotions and consequently behaviours that make life difficult for both you and your dog, don't despair. Contact a reputable canine behaviourist for support in changing your dogs emotions and behaviour and making your life much better.

Watch out for a FB post with a diagram to illuminate this topic further.

Dog barking and lunging at another dog.