JD - CH.12 - Training philosophies Flashcards
When evaluating a dog trainers philosophy, what should you pay attention to?
Which quadrants in OC claims trainer to use - Which is trainer actually using?
What does aversives signal to a dog?
Aversives signal bodily injury/death = Painful or scary.
Trainers that claim to not use operant conditioning follow which strategies?
- Refer to dog cognition and effect on various interventions. Most commonly effect on imagined social structure. Ex. If let dog go through door first, think he is leader.
- Refer to need to communicate in dog language. Either about social structures like above. Or to be understood at all (mother dog shakes and growles at pups to show disapproval), so do as her.
- Employ language from psychotherapy or mysticism believing each dog is perfect. Treat as individual with specific merrits and limitations.
Are any of these strategies true?
None of these verifiable, COULD Be true!
COULD be that trainer on TV was projecting energy. If corrections are decreasing behavior however: No doubt is employing +P. Is then sole REAL intervention?
Name a species that have linear hierarchies.
Linear hierarchy: First described in chickens.
How was this thoguht relevant to wolves as a species?
1930’s - 40’s: Short term studies wolf packs → Similar ideas to explain competition among wolves over resources (food, mates, sleeping locations).
What was unknown in the 1930’s and -40’s when wolves were claimed to have linear hierarchies?
Appeasing behaviors (lessen opponents aggression) willingly offered from more submissive animal. Not forced by top dog!
What does newer long term studies of wolves conclude regarding hierarcies?
Minor (if any) role for hierarchies: In contrast to near obsession of captive wolf research with the concept. Not one documented case of normal mother wolf or dog scruff shaking puppies.
Why is the concept of dominance still strong lived in the dog training world? What does the concept claim?
Very catchy dog training culture. Should not be able to assume alpha position. Training methods relying heavily on aversives used dominance to justify harsh techniques. Needed to put in place.
Which new evidence in dog studies goes against the dominance theory?
Existing evidence suggest dogs don’t even form packs.
Ho should you ratehr think about dog training in general terms, instead of the dominance theory?
Think leverage, not dominance: Notice + take ctr of what dog wants. Attention, food, walks, yard time, interaction other dogs, sniffing time, door opening, play.
Provide for desired behavior.
