Dogs Reading the Environment

Dogs can easily discover that a behavior will work when the environment looks one way. They are much better at reading the environment than given credit for. They are experts at reading cues in the environment.

Maybe you take the same route on a walk each day and suddenly your dog's behavior changes. There could be possibly something your dog smells or can hear. Your dog comes to sudden stop and will now move forward. It is time to start questioning what may have caused this change in behavior.

They learn quickly what will happen with one owner than the other. A dog can learn if I go next to dad and put my paw on his leg when he is eating, I can get bite of the food he is eating. Try this next to mom and she will body block me from getting near the table. Dogs can learn consequences quickly. Sitting by dad isn't because the dog likes dad better, it's because the behavior is rewarding sitting next to dad.

As I am entering into a home, and I ignore the dog and pass the dog just ignoring him, the dog stops jumping. The dog continues to jump on the owner because it leads to petting and attention. We are part of the environment, our presence and what the dog has learned when you are present. The difference is the dog is being ignored by me. I will reward and give attention when all four paws are on the floor.

When watching a dog, observe how a behavior was learned through consequences. An accidental pinching of the paw is another example of what can happen if the dog does not wait for a gate to be opened and quickly moves when the gate is opening. The consequence is pain when the gate opened, and the paw got under the gate. Dogs can learn through trial and error through everyday experiences.

Depending on who or what is in the environment. Will determine the behavior and the outcomes.

When a dog is in training it's important that everyone is on the same page. The dog is being trained to wait at the door as its being opened, then everyone needs to do this when at the door. By doing this it strengthens the behavior of waiting., there are no weak links. Behaviors are learned and there is always a consequence.

The above dog learning to "sit" and be rewarded.

Mecca Curtice, CDBC, CCDT, CBATI-KA, FDM

Sheboygan, WI.

MeccaCurtice@gmail.com to set up training and more information.

(920) 627-6727 Mecca's All Breed Dog Training

© 2023 Mecca Curtice