How do we change behavior →

December 10, 2022

Upper image: Small brown dog with big pointy ears, and a happy open mouth. Lower image: Two large dogs playing with open mouths and toothy displays

Upper image: Happy french terrier rolling on its back in grass. Lower image: two happy dogs playing tug with the same stick

behavior resources

australian cattle dog looking at view in late afternoon light — Source

interested in learning more about behavior issues, and best practices to change them? HERE IS A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS dedicated to ALL THINGS BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING RELATED.

These are exciting times in the field of animal behavior and research! Thanks to the framework that B.F. Skinner laid in place from his groundbreaking experiments on classical and operant conditioning in the 1930’s and 40’s, we now know quite precisely how behavior can be reinforced or extinguished based on outcomes. Today’s research is starting to show more concrete evidence for what I think all pet-parents have felt in their hearts for ages: that our cats and dogs (and likely all vertebrates and even some insects) possess a rich inner emotional life. From dolphins recognizing their faces in the mirror, to Japanese Macaques showing play face to social signal to each other……. We are understanding now that training involves more than simply changing behavior, and that we also need to be considerate of the animal’s emotions and how our training methods may affect them. Training can and should help our furry friends live happy and well adjusted lives!