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Dog Training Concepts

Dog Training Concepts

A collection of reference articles that reference concepts of interest to dog training professionals.

Operant Conditioning

Introduction to Operant Conditioning in Dog Training Operant conditioning is a foundational concept in behavioral psychology, developed by B.F. Skinner...

Escape Conditioning and Avoidance Conditioning

Understanding Escape Conditioning and Avoidance Conditioning in Dog Training In dog training, conditioning techniques are pivotal for shaping behaviors and...

Conditioned Punishers vs Unconditioned Punishers in Dog Training

Punishers are consequences that discourage the preceding behavior. For dog training purposes these are divided into two main categories: An...

Classical conditioning: Extinction, spontaneous recovery, generalization, discrimination

Classical Conditioning in Dog Training: Extinction, Spontaneous Recovery, Generalization, and Discrimination Classical conditioning, developed by Ivan Pavlov, is a cornerstone...

Classical Conditioning in Dog Training: Neutral, conditioned, and unconditioned stimuli and responses

Introduction to Classical Conditioning in Dog Training Classical conditioning, also known as Pavlovian conditioning, is a fundamental concept in behavioral...

Shaping in Dog Training

Introduction to Shaping in Dog Training Shaping is a powerful and systematic method used in dog training to teach complex...

Extrinsic vs Intrinsic Motivation in Dog Training

Understanding the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation in dog training can help you effectively train and bond with your...

Tertiary Reinforcer

A tertiary reinforcer is a type of conditioned reinforcement used in training that has become rewarding to a dog through...

Premack Principal

The Premack Principle is a valuable concept in dog training, often referred to as "Grandma's Rule." It was developed by...

Herrnstein’s Matching Law

Herrnstein's Matching Law is a behavioral psychology principle, particularly within operant conditioning, which is also applicable to dog training. Initially...

Behavioral Contrast

Behavioral contrast is a concept from behavioral psychology that can be observed in dog training. It refers to the phenomenon...

The Polyvagal Theory Applied to Dog Training

The Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, is originally a psychological and physiological theory that explains how mammals, including...

Habituation vs Sensitization

Habituation and sensitization are two fundamental learning processes that play crucial roles in how dogs adapt to their environments and...

Learned Irrelevance in Dog Training

Learned irrelevance is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when a dog learns that a particular stimulus has no meaningful consequence,...

Sensory Adaptation in Dog Training

Sensory adaptation refers to the process by which an individual becomes less responsive to a constant or unchanging stimulus from...

The Four Stages of Learning in Dog Training

There are generally four universally recognized stages of learning that describe the progression a dog goes through while acquiring, refining,...

Jackpot in Dog Training

In dog training, a "jackpot" refers to giving a dog a significantly larger or more desirable reward than usual. This...

Constructional Aggression Treatment (CAT)

Introduction to Constructional Aggression Treatment (CAT) Constructional Aggression Treatment (CAT) is a behavior modification technique used in dog training to...

Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT)

Introduction to Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) is a dog training method developed by Grisha Stewart that...

Comparing BAT vs CAT Dog Training Methods

Introduction to Comparing BAT and CAT Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) and Constructional Aggression Treatment (CAT) are both innovative behavioral modification...

Counterconditioning in Dog Training

Introduction to Counterconditioning in Dog Training Counterconditioning is a behavior modification technique used in dog training to change a dog's...

Flooding vs. Desensitizing in Dog Training

Introduction to Flooding vs. Desensitizing in Dog Training Both flooding and desensitizing are techniques used in the behavioral modification of...

Chaining and Reverse Chaining in Dog Training

Introduction to Chaining and Reverse Chaining in Dog Training Chaining and reverse chaining are advanced training techniques used to teach...

Schedules of Reinforcement in Dog Training

In dog training, the timing and frequency of reinforcement significantly impact the learning process and the strength of the behavior...

Duration vs. Interval in Dog Training Reinforcement: Understanding the Differences

Reinforcement is a cornerstone of effective dog training. By reinforcing desired behaviors, trainers can shape and solidify a dog's actions,...

Hydran-Protean Side Effects

Steven Lindsay's concept of Hydran-Protean side effects in dog training discusses the unintended consequences that can occur when aversive training...

Steven Lindsay’s “Dead Dog Rule”

Steven Lindsay's "Dead Dog Rule" is a concept that proposes training criteria and objectives should be defined in terms that...

Cynopraxis

Steven Lindsay defines cynopraxis as a philosophy and method of dog training and behavioral management that aims to enhance the...

Varied Cortical Rewards

Steven Lindsay uses varied cortical rewards strategically in dog training to manage and improve canine behavior through a method known...

Steven Lindsay’s Orienting/TAT Procedure in Dog Training

In the realm of canine behavior and training, Steven Lindsay's orienting/TAT procedure stands out as a nuanced approach that leverages...

Motivating Operations in Dog Training

Motivating operations (MOs) are a crucial concept in behavioral psychology and dog training. They refer to environmental or internal conditions...

Lindsay on Pavlov’s Freedom Reflex in Canine Behavior and Training

Introduction Pavlov's "freedom reflex" is a concept with significant implications in dog behavior and training. First introduced by the renowned...

Latent Inhibition in Dog Training

Latent inhibition in dog training refers to a process where a dog learns to ignore a stimulus because it has...

Understanding Neurosis and Its Significance in Dog Training

Neurosis Defined Neurosis refers to a range of psychological disorders characterized by chronic distress but without delusions or hallucinations. It...

Safety Signals in Dog Training

Safety Signal Hypothesis The Safety Signal Hypothesis was first mentioned by Neal E. Miller in the context of avoidance learning...

Name as an “Attention Cue” for Triggering Temporal Attention in Dog Training

Effective dog training relies on communication that captures and sustains attention. Using the dog’s name as an attention cue signals...

Poisoned Commands in Dog Training

In the realm of dog training, a poisoned command is a term used to describe a command that has inadvertently...

Bridging in Dog Training

Bridging is a crucial concept in dog training that connects a specific behavior with delayed reinforcement. Understanding the origin and...

Capturing in Dog Training

In dog training, the term capturing refers to a technique where the trainer reinforces a behavior that the dog naturally...

Sampling in Dog Training

In dog training, sampling is a technique often used in the context of conditioning and reinforcing specific behaviors. It involves...

Transmarginal Inhibition and Learned Helplessness in Dog Training

In the realm of dog training, understanding the nuances of stress responses is vital for creating effective and humane training...

A Taxonomy of Instrumental Conditioning by Paul J. Woods (1974)

The document "A Taxonomy of Instrumental Conditioning" by Paul J. Woods (1974) provides a comprehensive classification scheme for instrumental conditioning,...

The Combination of Appetitive and Aversive Reinforcers and the Nature of Their Interaction During Auditory Learning by Ilango et al. (2010)

In the study, aversive and appetitive reinforcers were used in distinct yet complementary ways to drive learning in Mongolian gerbils...