It is only by understanding the underlying machine that motivates dogs that we can really understand the engineering behind the art of dog training. Understanding how dogs learn is not difficult, nor should it be intimidating for dog owners.
Today, we’ll be taking a peak at four ways dogs may learn that a particular behavior has a consequence. By fully understanding dog learning theory, basically, the four consequences that can take place when dogs interact with their owners and their environment, you can make the learning process easier. Also, you can identify which dog friendly training methods to use so that you can better bond with your companion.
Life is a Series of Consequences
Think about your daily life—how many actions do you take based on potential consequences? You go to work because you get paid, you wear sunscreen to avoid sunburn, and you avoid speeding because getting a ticket is expensive (and stressful). Every decision we make is, in some way, influenced by outcomes. Dogs, too, learn by experiencing consequences.
In behavioral science, this cause-and-effect principle is known as operant conditioning, a term coined by B.F. Skinner but originally explored by Edward Thorndike. His Law of Effect states:
Responses that produce a satisfying effect in a particular situation become more likely to occur again, while responses that produce discomforting effects become less likely.
In simpler terms, behaviors that lead to good outcomes will repeat, while behaviors that lead to unpleasant outcomes will fade away. This fundamental concept is the blueprint of how dogs learn.
A Word About Reinforcement
Reinforcement is a behavior change process that takes place when the likelihood of a behavior increases in rate.
Reinforcement encourages behaviors and therefore it increases the likeliness of the behavior occurring.
Reinforcement can occur as the addition or subtraction of stimuli.
In order to be effective, reinforcement must occur in a timely manner and it must be contingent upon the behavior occurring.
For reinforcement to occur, the reinforcing stimulus should be added or subtracted during or immediately after a behavior.
When it comes to how dogs learn, there are two scenarios where dogs are more likely to increase and strengthen behaviors: positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement.
Did you know? Reinforcement can sometimes be generated directly by the behavior itself within the dog (self-reinforcement), rather than being socially mediated by the interactions between dog and trainer.
A Word About Punishment
Punishment is a behavior change process that takes place when the rate of a behavior decreases in rate.
Punishment suppresses behaviors, and therefore, it decreases the likeliness of the behavior occurring.
Punishment can occur as the addition or subtraction of stimuli. In order to be effective, punishment must occur in a timely manner and it must be contingent upon the behavior occurring.
For punishment to occur, the punisher stimulus must be added or subtracted during or immediately after a behavior. When it comes to how dogs learn, there are two scenarios where dogs are more likely to decrease and weaken behaviors: positive punishment and negative punishment.
Confused by all this? Let’s take a closer look at how dogs learn with some practical dog operant conditioning examples.
1. Positive Reinforcement: The Gold Standard
If there were an MVP award for dog training methods, positive reinforcement would win hands-down. This method involves adding (hence, “positive”) something enjoyable to increase the likelihood of a behavior occurring again.
Example:
Every time your dog sits on cue, you hand him a delicious treat. Over time, he eagerly sits whenever you ask because he has learned that “sitting = tasty rewards.”
Real-World Canine Example:
A dog discovers rabbit poop near the fence line. Since the poop is an irresistible delicacy (don’t judge—dogs have interesting tastes), the behavior of sniffing around the fence increases. The environment, not the human, has reinforced the behavior.
Key Takeaway:
Remember, it’s up to your dog to determine what he considers to be reinforcing. If you use your dog ‘s kibble and your dog is a finicky eater to start with, he might find the fact of being offered kibble not reinforcing enough to make sitting repeatedly for it worth it. In such a case, you may have to experiment with high-value treats or other rewards, to get the sitting behavior to increase. Rather than speculating on whether your dog likes something or not, sometimes it’s far more productive to evaluate whether a behavior is increasing or not.
2. Negative Reinforcement: Escape & Avoidance
Negative reinforcement (the removal of something unpleasant to encourage behavior) is often misunderstood. While it can be effective, it is not as dog-friendly as positive reinforcement.
Example:
Applying steady pressure on a dog’s back end until he sits, then releasing the pressure once he does. The removal of pressure reinforces the sitting behavior.
Real-World Canine Example:
A dog retreats into his doghouse on a hot summer day to escape the burning sun. Since the shade brings relief, he’s more likely to seek shelter in the future.
Key Takeaway:
Remember, it’s up to your dog to determine what he considers reinforcing. If your dog is really, really eager to be touched, even if that includes, pushing on his back, his sitting behavior will likely not increase. The behavior will increase only if the dog perceives the pressure as unpleasant and wants to escape it. Same with the example of the sun, in order to retreat to the dog house the dog must find the heat unpleasant. A Nordic dog with a heavy coat may therefore retreat more frequently or with minimum heat compared to a Chihuahua.
3. Positive Punishment: Adding an Aversive
Positive punishment occurs when something unpleasant is added to decrease a behavior. This quadrant is controversial, as it involves applying an aversive stimulus.
Example:
A dog jumps up on a person, and the person scolds him sternly. If the scolding is perceived as unpleasant, the jumping may decrease.
Real-World Canine Example:
A dog approaches a skunk and gets sprayed. After that, he learns to keep his distance from skunks.
Key Takeaway:
Remember, it’s up to the dog to determine whether he considers the removal of a stimulus punishment. If the dog is home alone all day and socially motivated, there should be a significant decrease in the rate of jumping as the dog doesn’t like to be left alone. If the owner is home all day though, and the dog is often corrected for doing things which creates stress, the dog may perceive the owner’s absence as reinforcing, as he gets a feeling of relief.
4. Negative Punishment: Taking Away the Good Stuff
Negative punishment occurs when something desirable is removed to decrease an unwanted behavior.
Example:
A dog jumps up excitedly when his owner arrives home. To reduce jumping, the owner immediately turns away and ignores the dog. Over time, the jumping decreases because the dog learns that jumping makes the fun stop.
Real-World Canine Example:
A dog pounces at a squirrel, but the squirrel dashes into a hole and disappears. The dog, learning that pouncing isn’t an effective strategy, may eventually stop doing it.
Key Takeaway:
Remember, it’s up to the dog to determine whether the added stimulus is punishing enough to make the behavior of jumping stop. If the dog in question is a soft dog who is also frightened by his owner when he uses a firm voice, the behavior of jumping may reduce and eventually stop. If the dog has been alone all day and is eager to greet the owner, even being scolded may be perceived as music to ears, so the scolding may be actually reinforcing if it gives him a slice of attention. In this case, the behavior will like not stop.
Which Methods Are Most Humane?
Of the four quadrants, positive reinforcement and negative punishment are widely considered the most humane and effective in training. The use of positive punishment and negative reinforcement often involves aversive, which can lead to stress, anxiety, or even aggression.
Aversive Training Risks
Many studies have highlighted the drawbacks of aversive training methods. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) and many board-certified veterinary behaviorists (DACVBs) strongly discourage positive punishment due to its potential for unintended side effects. For a deeper look at why aversive training is problematic, check out this must-read: “13 Negative Effects of Aversive Dog Training“.
The Final Verdict: Is Your Training Working?
One of the best ways to evaluate your training method is to ask yourself one simple question: Is my dog’s behavior increasing or decreasing?
- If a behavior is increasing, reinforcement is at play.
- If a behavior is decreasing, punishment is at work.
Dogs learn not only from their owners but also from their environment. Every interaction they have shapes their future behavior.
Want to learn more? Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive into other ways dogs learn, including classical conditioning and social learning.
Final Thoughts: Learning Is a Two-Way Street
Understanding how dogs learn isn’t just about training them—it’s about strengthening your bond. By using science-backed, humane methods, you ensure your dog learns in a way that fosters trust, joy, and cooperation. Because at the end of the day, training isn’t just about getting a dog to “behave”—it’s about setting both of you up for a lifetime of mutual understanding.
Now go forth, reinforce wisely, and give your pup a treat for making it through this article!
References:
- Excel-Erated Learning: Explaining in Plain English How Dogs Learn and How Best to Teach by Pamela J. Reid, James Kenneth Publishers (July 25, 2011)
- How Dogs Learn (Howell reference books)by Mary R. Burch, Howell Book House; 1 edition (April 21, 2008)
Photo Credits:
- Flickr Creative Commons, TheRebelRobin Graduation! Blaze graduated from Dog Training 101, CCBY2.0