the cognitive dog class 14 abc’s of learning theory how dogs learn – the basics

The Cognitive Dog

Class 14

ABC’S OF LEARNING THEORY

How Dogs Learn – The Basics

Copyright 2005 Carolyn Barney

How Dogs Learn

CLASSICAL CONDITIONING

OPERANT CONDITIONING


How Dogs Learn

CLASSICAL CONDITIONING

• Pavlov’s Dogs

• Relates to reflexes not

to voluntary behaviors


How Dogs LearnOPERANT CONDITIONING

Definition (from How Dog’s Learn Burch & Bailey, 1999): “The part of science of behavior that explains the functional relationshipbetween environmental events and behavior. It is a key component in explaining how all organisms (including dogs) learn.” In simpleterms what happens in the environmentwill affect what a dog will do in the future. If a dog receives a cookie for sitting he will be more likely to sit again. If a bee stings a dog when he sits he is less likely to sit.



REINFORCEMENT:

Strengthens behaviors

.

PUNISHMENT:

Weakens behaviors



REINFORCEMENT:• Strengthens behaviors• Is anything that will increase the likelihood

of a behavior to happen in the future• To be effective it should closely follow the

behavior so an association is made



PUNISHMENT:• Weakens behaviors• Punishment decreases the likelihood of a

behavior to be repeated in the future• To be effective it should closely follow the

behavior• Has potential fallout; fear, anxiety


How Dogs Learn

REINFORCEMENT in dog trainingStrengthens behaviors

• Positive Reinforcement Add good As perceived by the dog

• Negative Reinforcement Remove badAs perceived by the dog


How Dogs Learn

REINFORCEMENT in dog training

Positive Reinforcement

Add good - As perceived by the dog

Examples: Food, toys, exercise,

play & petting (not all dogs)


How Dogs LearnREINFORCEMENT in dog training

Negative Reinforcement

Remove bad, As perceivedby the dog

Examples: Stop pulling on a leash, stop electronic collar; spray or shock, stop ear pinch


How Dogs Learn

REINFORCEMENT in dog training

Positive Reinforcement Primary Reinforcer Secondary Reinforcer

Negative Reinforcement Primary ReinforcerSecondary Reinforcer


How Dogs LearnREINFORCEMENT in dog training

Positive & Negative Reinforcement Primary An Unconditioned Reinforcer. A primary reinforcer will increase the likelihood that a behavior will be repeated in the future when presented immediately following a behavior. Related to basic needs, food, drink, some touch.

Secondary A Conditioned Reinforcer. It is something that by itself does not mean anything to the dog. But when paired with a primary reinforcer the secondary will then strengthen behaviors. For dogs these can include, praise, clicker, petting, verbal reprimand or sound. This pairing is classical conditioning.

REINFORCEMENT INCREASES BEHAVIOR


How Dogs Learn

Punishment in dog training: Punishment decreases behavior

• Positive Punishmentadd something bad

• Negative Punishmenttake away something good

The good or bad must be the dogs perception


How Dogs Learn

Punishment in dog training:

Positive PunishmentAdd something thing bad

Examples: electric shock, leash correction, spray bottle or collar, throwing objects, hitting


How Dogs Learn


Negative Punishment

Remove something good

Examples: Time out in crate = removes you or the fun, Take dog away from fun event such as agility run for broken stay


How Dogs Learn

Punishment in dog training: Positive Punishment

Primary Punisher

Secondary Punisher

Negative Punishment

Primary Punisher

Secondary Punisher


How Dogs Learn


Positive & Negative Punishment

Primary An Unconditioned Punisher. The dog does not need prior experience for it to be perceived as a punisher. Extreme heat or cold, shock, pinch, citronella spray, hitting are all examples of primary

Secondary A Conditioned Punisher. It is something that by itself does not mean anything to the dog. But when paired with a primary punisher the secondary will then weaken behaviors. Verbal or sound. This pairing is classical conditioning.

PUNISHMENT DECREASES BEHAVIORBut there is possible increased anxiety and fallout



Reinforcement Punishment

Positive Primary: Food Shock

Secondary: Click Warning Sound

Negative Primary: Remove Shock Remove Food

Secondary: Remove Verbal Remove Verbal


How Dogs Learn

finally…The ABC's of learning

A= Antecedent or A Signal (cue)

B= Behavior (action)

C= Consequence (payoff)

Good Consequence = Reinforcement Bad Consequence = Punishment


How Dogs Learn

The ABC's of learning

A= Antecedent or A SignalCues

Verbal: words, soundsVisual: hand, body, motionEnvironmental: agility obstacles

Think about the dog you have when making choices for cues; visual or sound stimulation stronger?


How Dogs Learn


B= BehaviorAction or duration of non actionVoluntary action: sit, down, lift pawNon action: stay in position

Behaviors that are offered by the animal appear to be learned more

quickly vs. guiding or continuous luring


How Dogs Learn


C= Consequence

Payoff

Good Consequence = ReinforcementIncreases likelihood of behavior

Bad Consequence = Punishment

Decreases likelihood of behavior


How Dogs LearnOnce learned, Good Consequences =

Behaviors Happen:

Human Example: A = Antecedent (cue): Alarm goes off, ugh…

B = Behavior: Get up and go to workC = Consequence: Paycheck, yahoo!

Canine Example:A = Antecedent (cue): Verbal “Sit”B = Behavior: Dog puts butt on the floorC = Consequence: Dog gets to go out to play!


How Dogs Learn

“Natural” Progression of A-B-C

Begging:

A - Owner eating at table

B - Dog Begs

C - Owner gives a piece of food

Think the begging will be repeated?!


How Dogs Learn

Training Steps: A new alphabet

B-C-A

Maximizes learning & the quality of the final behavior performance

B = Behavior: C = ConsequenceA = Antecedent or A Signal:


How Dogs Learn

Training Steps

B = Behavior: Get the dog to perform the desired behavior

Capture: Reward dog doing behavior

Shape: Reward parts of the behavior working closer to the end

behavior

Lure: Use of food or toy as a guide to where you want the dog


How Dogs Learn

Training StepsC = Consequence:

Reward

When the dog does the behavior- Capturing

When the dog does part of the behavior- Shaping

As the dog follows the food into position or partial position - Luring


How Dogs Learn

Training Steps

A = Antecedent or Cue: Add after the dog becomes good at the behavior, cue will pair with the end behavior performance (usually better than beginning)

Cue is added just before the dog does the behavior = Classical Conditioning

Reward as usual


How Dogs Learn

EXAMPLE OF CAPTURING – SHAPING – LURING

Down – Capture: Sit in a small quiet room reward as dog

lies down on his own

Shape: Reward as dog lowers head, then bends elbows, then lowers back end etc.

Lure: Guide dog into position with food or toy desired by the dog, reward in position


How Dogs Learn

BUT KEEP IN MIND…


How Dogs Learn

Emotions & Motivation impact Learning

Take all we have studied so far into consideration…EmotionsHardwiring - MotivationPast ExperiencesLack of Experiences

Keep in mind all of this and the immediate environment have a big influence on a learners ability to learn


How Dogs Learn

THE LEARNERS …that have taught us….

the cognitive dog class 14 abc’s of learning theory how dogs learn – the basics

Documents

carolyn barney

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