Dog Behavior - the psychology behind dog training methods.

Behavioral psychology focuses on observable behaviors, commonly conditioned through stimuli in one’s surroundings. Because behavioral psychology focuses on conditioned behaviors, the methods used are conditioning methods. Behavioral psychologists seek to change the subject’s perception of the stimuli causing the behavior. There are two main types of conditioning methods: classical and operant. These methods rely on external reinforcements, used as either a reward or an associative element to teach, encourage, and/or discourage behaviors, depending on the behaviorists preferred method. Initially, behavioral psychologists did not recognize the impact of genetics, internal processes, or emotions. Although it is becoming more common for canine behaviorists to acknowledge cognition and recognize the impact of emotions on behavior, they are limited in their ability to work in this capacity while restricting themselves to conditioning methods. Cognitive psychology emerged as a response to the limitations of conditioning methods.

Cognitive psychology studies the mind, mental states, and how the brain processes emotions, and individual personalities. Cognitive psychologists recognize the impact of cognitive functions, such as memory, problem-solving, lateral thinking, reasoning, and brain development on behavior. The subject’s perception, not only of the immediate stimuli in one’s surroundings, but of many factors and elements, determines thought patterns. Cognitive psychology disrupts unwanted thought patterns without necessarily changing perception (or feelings towards) the stimuli.

To safely, easily, and effectively bring dogs into new environments, address trauma related emotions and behaviors, prevent common behavioral issues, and create a bond that respects autonomy, we need to focus on the underlying cognition and emotions driving behavior, not on the behavior itself.