Decoding Dog Training Methods - Part 1 of 3 of “Connecting Canine Behavior and Animal Welfare” Series

If you are struggling with behavioral problems with your dog, especially with dogs over six of months of age, you are not alone!  And, like many other dedicated pet parents, you begin to research trainers and methods to help you overcome these challenges, only to discover an overwhelming amount of information that is even more challenging to decipher than the behavior itself!

The first step is to understand the differences between methods based on the goal and design of each method, and secondly, to recognize the difference between different techniques of the same method. Continuing to apply the same method using different techniques or application styles will not likely result in a different outcome.

So, let’s break this down.

As much as it may appear that mainstream dog training is filled with different methods, they are all forms of Conditioning methods. There are two forms of Conditioning methods commonly used in dog training.

1)      Operant Conditioning:

Operant conditioning is designed to encourage wanted behavior and discourage unwanted behavior using reactive reinforcements. Essentially, operant conditioning is “human nature” – your dog pees on the floor, resulting in a common response of “Bad dog!”  Your dog pees outside, resulting in praise and a treat!  These reinforcements are often effective with puppies because puppies do not know right from wrong and are eager to learn, especially when praise and rewards are used.

Essentially, any time a response is given to an action that shows the dog the behavior is wanted or unwanted, the technique falls under the Operant Conditioning umbrella; however, it is common to apply only one or the other style of reinforcement, thus dividing the techniques into different groups – Positive and Negative.

Examples of positive reinforcements are treats, praise, toys, pats, and techniques such as “Clicker Training” or the “Yes Method.”  Although often presented as methods, these are simply techniques. In other words, they are not different methods, just different ways of applying positive reinforcement training. 

Examples of negative reinforcements are harsh verbal responses, spraying a water bottle, crating or putting the dog outside/garage (as a punishment), using a shock collar, pinning down, rubbing the muzzle in the mess, hitting the dog, or any other response intended to punish or show the dog the behavior is unacceptable. Again, negative reactions are not indicative of different methods, they are simply different reinforcements.

Some people use exclusively positive reinforcements, while some use both positive and negative reinforcements (known as “Balanced Training”), and others may rely solely on reacting only when the dog does an unwanted behavior. Operant Conditioning, as a scientifically proven method, includes both positive and negative reinforcements, although, it is important to recognize that some forms of negative reinforcements can be confusing, harmful, and counterproductive.

So, although it is preferable to focus heavily, if not exclusively, on applying positive reinforcements, this approach can be limiting because the method itself is designed to apply “both sides.”

Additionally, dogs over the age of six months often know “right from wrong”, so continuing to use a method designed to teach right from wrong makes no sense and can lead to an increase in unwanted behavior and a decrease in bond between the caregiver and their dog.

2)      Counter Conditioning:

Counter Conditioning aims to associate a stimulus causing an uncomfortable feeling leading to an unwanted behavior with the goal of changing the dog’s perception of the stimulus. For example, if a dog fears big men wearing baseballs caps, leading to lunging and barking, the goal is to counter, or reshape, this feeling by showing the dog a favorite toy (to associate the man with a positive object). With repetition, the goal is to desensitize the dog’s emotions and change the dog’s perception toward the stimulus (these men) and, in turn, change their behavior. Although this method is scientifically proven effective, it has proven limiting in its long-term success because the dog may associate the toy with one man, but not with another in a different situation, thus having to start from scratch.

Additionally, dogs over the age of six months, much like adolescent children and young adults, do not always like to be told how to feel about something, and when we try to do this, they feel misunderstood.

When methods prove limiting, ineffective or counterproductive, it is natural to apply coping mechanisms. Common coping mechanisms include shutting curtains, walking at midnight, relying on patience, or limiting family activities. Pet parents may feel the need to increase rules and boundaries, try medications (veterinarian prescribed), or, if feeling completely out of options, may resort to harsh practices, harmful tools, or surrendering or euthanizing their dog.

To prevent these unsavory outcomes by effectively addressing common behavioral issues in adolescent, adopted, and adult dogs we need to move beyond Conditioning Methods which, although effective during puppyhood and with some dogs, cannot meet the needs of all dogs.

But before introducing the non-harmful, scientifically proven method proven effective with dogs over 6 months, let’s look at why these dogs are labelled as behaviorally challenging, why adolescent dogs are described as bratty and defiant and adult dogs as stubborn or elusive, and why integrating dogs with unconventional pasts has proven challenging.

We invite you to move on to PART TWO – The Impact of Brain Development on Behavior and Methods