Dog psychology tries to understand bad dog behavior from a canine perspective rather than from a human perspective.
Because dogs are such close companions to us, it is easy to humanize them. Many dog movies and television shows including Lassie, 101 Dalmatians, Lady and the Tramp, Bolt, and others have encouraged this view.
However, dogs are not humans, and humans are not dogs.
Humanizing a dog causes miscommunication between human and canine, which can result in a variety of dog behavioral issues.
For example, many dog owners attribute their dog pooping on their favorite carpet or eating poop, when they are not home, as an act of vengeance. In actuality, it is just a symptom of stress from having an unexpected change in their routine (separation anxiety).
Dog Psychology vs. Dog Training
Some trainers claim that dog psychology involves pack theory and acting like a dog. According to them, obedience training is not dog psychology but simply teaching a dog tricks.
In particular, a dog who has undergone obedience training may understand training commands such as Sit, Down, and Heel, but may still engage in destructive and aggressive behaviors, such as chewing our designer shoes, or digging up our prize roses.
Is this true?
- Is there a big difference between dog psychology and dog obedience training?
- What about dog behavior modification?
- How do dogs really learn?
In fact, this separation of terms is unnecessary and only creates confusion.
Dog behavior modification, dog training, and dog tricks are ALL based on operant conditioning.
Operant conditioning forms a big part of what we understand of dog psychology and animal psychology. Therefore, dog behavior modification, dog training, and dog tricks are ALL based on dog psychology.
Based on these dog psychology principles, we know that dogs learn by repeating behaviors with good results, and stopping behaviors with bad results.
Operant conditioning consists of aversive methods and reward methods. Both aversive and reward methods, can be used to modify dog behavior, train a dog to follow commands, and teach a dog new tricks.
Misunderstanding of Dog Psychology
- The claim that dog obedience training, and dog tricks are somehow not based on dog psychology is false.
- The claim that food only works for obedience training and dog tricks is false.
- The claim that using food in dog training is bribery, and somehow ineffective is false.
- The claim that using food is humanizing the dog and therefore inappropriate is false.
- The claim that reward dog training is only based on food is false.
- The claim that aversive dog training, particularly physical force training is more effective at behavior modification than reward training is false.
- The claim that physical force is required to modify dog behavior is false.
- The claim that physical force is an integral part of dog psychology is false.
Both aversive and reward techniques, can be used to “train” our dog to sit on command, to sit instead of dig on command, to drop whatever he is chewing, to chew his toy instead of our shoes, and to dig in the sand pit instead of in the rose-bed.
The divide between dog psychology, dog behavior modification, and dog training simply does not exist.
Many of these supposed behavior modification techniques, including leash jerks, alpha rolls, and finger pokes, are aversive conditioning techniques.
Dog Psychology and Dominance/Pack Theory
Dominance theory is based on the observation that wolf packs and wild dog packs are ruled by an alpha male and an alpha female. This alpha pair controls all of the pack’s resources and sets all of the pack rules. There are also rituals that pack members must follow including letting the alpha pair have access to the best food,best sleeping area, and best resources.
The theory is that when dogs come to live with us, we become part of their pack and must assume the alpha male and alpha female positions. Part of assuming this position, is to follow similar pack rituals including eating before our followers, not letting our followers have access to beds and couches, always walking in front of our followers, and using physical force to establish and maintain our pack leadership position.
However, recent studies have shown that wolf packs and also wild dog packs are a lot more complex than this simple alpha-pair model. Leadership tends to be more dynamic in nature, and the alpha dogs rule through the control of resources rather than through physical force.
Therefore, even dominance theory cannot be used to support the false claim that physical force is a necessary, or even an effective part of dog behavior modification.
While dominance theory and dog pack dynamics are interesting areas of study, the argument of whether they apply to us and our domesticated dogs, is actually a moot point.
Just as dogs are not humans, humans are not dogs.
Contrary to common belief, dogs know that they are dogs and not human. They also know that we are human and not dogs. It is us humans who frequently get confused on these matters.
Since we are human, we are not expected by our dogs to act like dogs. We must communicate with them in a way that they can understand, but that does not mean that we should try to act like them. Not only would we be poor imitators, but however well we pretend, we would still be human, and our dogs will always know what we are.
Because our dogs live in our very complex human world, it is necessary for us to assume leadership and teach them our rules. We must provide for them not just in terms of food and shelter, but also in terms of their health and safety.
To properly manage the safety of a dog (to himself, to other dogs, and to the people around him) it is necessary to institute certain human rules, and to train him to follow those rules. Training of these rules can be achieved through aversive methods or reward methods.
It is as simple as that. No dominance theory required.
Dog Behaviorist vs. Dog Trainer
By using operant conditioning techniques, we can shape behavior to prepare our dog for obedience trials, or agility competitions. We can also modify behavior to make our dog into a good citizen at home.
A good dog trainer or dog behaviorist is someone who –
- Understands classical and operant conditioning theories,
- Has good technique (i.e. good timing, execution, redirection);
- Can quickly and accurately read a dog’s body language; and
- Is a good and patient teacher.
There are dog trainers, like Cesar Millan, who mostly use aversive training. There are dog trainers, like Victoria Stillwell, who mostly use reward training. And there are dog trainers who use both.
Reward dog training and aversive dog training have their own advantages and disadvantages, so make sure to pick a dog trainer that uses the style of training or behavior modification that you feel is most appropriate for you and your dog.
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers is a great resource for finding professional dog training help in your area.
Which is Better, Which is Right, and Which is Dog Psychology?
Many arguments arise in the dog behavior modification or dog training arena because many want to claim that their way is better or that their way is right.
To do this, they must first differentiate their way from all other ways. That is why there are so many terms, including dog psychology, dog behavior modification, dog training, dog tricks, and many more, describing essentially the same thing.
Moral judgements such as dog cruelty, dog bribery, evilness and goodness get thrown into the same pot and what results is a whole lot of smoke and not much else.
When we boil dog training or dog behavior modification down to its basics, we are always left with conditioning. And all of us use either aversive operant conditioning methods or reward operant conditioning methods to shape our dog’s behavior.
Both are dog psychology. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages.
I cannot say that one is absolutely better than the other, or that one is absolutely right. I can only say that I personally use reward dog training because it is more effective and less risky than the aversive methods I have tried.
My adult daughter has a Terra-Poo since he was a puppy. Lived with her, went everywhere with her. She recently married and now the dog (4yr old) loves him more than her. This is to the extent that when he enters the room, dog growls and nips at her. If he is not home, dog acts as normal as always around her. How can she get this dog to act normal around her when husband is home?
What does her husband do when the dog growls and nips at your daughter? What is the dog’s current routine? Who trains, walks, feeds, and plays with him most? What type of training is he used to? Are there house rules that he follows?
With my dogs,
1. I follow the Nothing in Life is Free program, so that they learn to work for the things that they want (including affection).
2. I set up a fixed routine and a consistent set of rules. Everyone in the family is consistent about house rules so that my dog understands exactly what is expected of him and what to expect from those around him in return. I make sure *never* to reward undesirable behaviors (this includes giving affection).
3. I make sure to be very calm when interacting with my dog. My dog is very sensitive to the energy of the people around him. If I am angry, frustrated, stressed, or fearful, he will pick up on my energy, become stressed himself, and his behavior will worsen.
More on how I deal with my dog’s bad behavior.
Note however, that dog behavior is very dependent on context, including the temperament of the dog, his environment, routine, etc. How I deal with my dog’s behavior will depend on all of these things, and the source of his behavior, i.e. whether it is from fear, excitement, guarding, etc. This is why in cases of aggression, it is usually a good idea to get help from a good professional trainer.
http://www.apdt.com/pet-owners/choosing-a-trainer/
Good day. I am a student from UCSI University, Malaysia and is currently doing a career storyboard for animal psychology for one of my course assignment of Professional Development class – guided by lecturer Mr James Yeow.
Our group came across that your blog here. Hence would like to find out whether there’s any animal psychologist practitioner in your sides that can give us a brief testimonial or have a very brief interview session with us regarding introduction of job prospect of this job, like applying those knowledge of animal behavior into real field work today?
If not, do you have any contacts of animal psychology knowledge practitioners in Malaysia or overseas?
Anticipate your keen reply soon. Thank you.
Regards,
Soon Ying Xi
This article has a list of dog behaviorists as well as their websites.
Hey ShibaShake. I´m from Iceland and i am doing a essay about Dog Psychology. I read your article and i would love to be able to quote in my essay from your article, but I can’t do that except i know your name, full name.
So please can you write me back with your real name. Thanks a lot!
I just adopted an 11 mo. old Golden Chow and she is very obedient when she comes into our apartment, but once she goes outside she pulls on the leash and barks at everything she can see. I am trying to work with her so that I can walk ahead of her, while she walks behind me on a loose leash. I make it a point to walk outside the apartment before her but sometimes she tries to sneak ahead of me or walk next to me. She doesn’t do this when we are coming inside the apartment, but she does it every time we head out. What can I do? I want to try having her sit and wait before I walk out. If that doesn’t work what other method should I try?
I leash train my dogs by using the red-light-green-light technique and 180 turn around technique. Consistency was very important during leash training.
http://shibashake.com/dog/leash-training-your-dog
Thank you for the article! Our family learned our lesson not to leave the choke chain on our lab when our poor sweetheart got up from lying over the heater one day, and the metal part came with her. Poor thing was afraid of metallic noises and got very upset before we could get it (the vent thingy AND collar) off. I’ve always felt terrible, and the family always took off the choke chain after that, and I generally took off her collar too, when I saw it on. She never would get too close the heaters after that, but she would snuggle up next to me when I lay down on it after school. We would never have intentional endangered our girl, but we had never heard that choke collars should only be used on walks, or any stories of anything bad ever happening. It’s just not something you hear about.
Anyway, she lived a long happy life, and recently passed at the of 13, but my boyfriend and his family have a dog, whom I adore. They don’t have a regular collar for him, just two choke chains, and he wears one almost all the time. I’m a little paranoid and OCD, so my boyfriend always got a little annoyed when I insisted on taking off the collar when the dog was in the car, but I just couldn’t get the possibility of a car accident, causing the chain to catch, out of my head. Now, I’m paranoid and silly about a lot of things (I check the locks a trillion times, never leave ANYTHING plugged in, etc.), and I simply assumed the choke chain thing was another silly paranoia thing.
Now that I’ve read this, I know I’m NOT just paranoid, and it really is a danger to keep the choke collar on! I just texted my boyfriend this, and he will undoubtedly go get the dog and IMMEDIATELY switch him to one of my dog’s old regular collars, that I forced him to take home once, on the off chance he would use it. You may have saved that puppy doggy, and saved all his loved ones from hating themselves if he ever got hurt!
PS- Perhaps it should be common sense to take off the choke chain, but certain things just don’t seem that unsafe unless your told about it, or hear a horror story. My family of paranoid everything-checkers has many probably imaginary dangers, but we didn’t think a collar would be one.
My new dog that I rescued from the animal shelter always cowers and then lays on her back when I try pick her up. She also crawls to me when I call her to come. Doesn’t like to walk outside . I’m trying hard. Can you please help?
Big changes can be difficult and stressful for a dog because there is a lot of uncertainty. It will be even more difficult for a shelter dog with a challenging past.
When I get a new dog, I make sure to start small and go in very small steps.
In this way, I can maximize success and build trust. For example, being restrained or picked up off the floor, can be a bit scary, especially for a new dog. We start by looming over him, and then we take away his freedom to run away. It is the same with people – allowing someone to pick us up requires a fair amount of trust and certainty of the environment.
To build trust with my new dog, I start by just tossing treats to him whenever I am nearby. This helps him to associate me with food and positive events. I may also sit down on the floor a certain distance away, and spread treats around me. In this way, he automatically gets rewarded for coming near me.
Once he is coming to me regularly on his own, I start to do simple touch exercises and very simple obedience commands such as Look. What works well for my dog is to go in small steps, so that our training sessions are successful. The more success my dog has, the more confidence and trust we build.
Recall training (come when called) is a more complex command, so I wait until I have built some trust and established a bunch of simpler commands before doing this.
I do the same thing with walk training – start small and go in small steps.
1. I first desensitize my dog to the collar and leash.
2. After he is totally comfortable with collar and leash, I do walk training with him inside the house.
3. After he is totally comfortable walking with me inside the house, we move on to the backyard, then to very quiet outside areas, and so on. I desensitize him to various sounds and objects if necessary.
Here is an article on training shy dogs with hand targeting.
Here is an article from the ASPCA on adopting a puppy mill dog. Although the article specifically targets puppy mill dogs, I think a lot of the information is also useful for shy or fearful dogs.
This site may also be helpful-
http://fearfuldogs.com/
i have a 4 month old bull mastiff. He is very friendly but sometimes show aggression towards me . how can i stop it ?
Hello Ahmad,
Dog behavior is very context dependent, so the temperament of the dog, his routine, past experiences, environment, and more, are all important. Usually, “aggressive behavior” is triggered by something.
For example, what was puppy doing before the aggressive behavior? What were the people around him doing? Are there high priority toys or food around? What else changed in his environment? What type of training has he had? What is his daily routine? What kind of aggression was he showing – growl, showing teeth, lunge, bite? Did he cause any damage?
For safety reasons, it is usually a good idea to get help from a professional trainer in cases of aggression.
Initially, dogs do not know our human rules and what *we* consider to be good and bad. We need to teach them these things through conditioning techniques. Here is more on how I trained my Husky puppy.
I am living in Thailand,in the family we have a dog,tibetan terrier, almost 8 y.o.,in the last month 3/4 times he pissed inside the house despyte the area out side where he can do,he has never done so,we change house since 4 month,every day i take him out for his need,is there something wrong??? Difficolt to answer…..if u have a little advice i’ll be very grateull,don’t know what ti do…Thanks,,,, Ricky
There could be many reasons for this.
It could be a physical issue.
It could also be due to the move or due to anxiety. When I move, I make sure to set up a fixed routine for my dog, that is similar to his previous routine. I make sure he has enough people time and activity. I do potty training exercises again if necessary. Here is more on dog anxiety.
It could also be due to something else.
Does he seem anxious? Are there any other changes in behavior? Is his activity level and appetite normal? Is his stool and pee normal? Anything else out of the ordinary? Any other changes to his schedule, food, environment, etc.?
Do you have any advice on three-legged dogs? especially exercise, the do’ and donts. He is very lively and only having 3 legs virtually doesn’t affect him at all
Here are some things that help with Shania-
http://shibashake.com/dog/three-legged-dog-care-tripod-dog-care
http://shibashake.com/dog/living-with-a-3-legged-dog
Bigs hugs to Shadow. He sounds like an awesome boy!
I called my black Labrador mix Shadow, because
1) He’s black (obviously)
2) Hes soo friendly and follows me everywhere!!
He was a rescue dog! He lost his leg recently but hes still as quick as ever!! 🙂