How Dogs Learn

I'm surprised at how many reviews from the last few years are giving this book 4 and 5 stars. If you are really planning to work with animals professionally or with your own dogs you should read this book in context. It was written 18 years ago! Current best practices around aversion and punishment are very different. Indeed of the dozen or so books I've read by Sophia Yin, Patricia McConnell and training I've received from canine massage therapists and humane society staff, the message is unanimous- only positive reinforcement training develops healthy, balanced dogs. Aversion and positive punishment create the potential for future problem behavior. Read this if you want to understand how training theory has developed in 20 years but for guidance on how to work with dogs, look to newer texts informed by more recent research.

The authors are reasonably effective in making sense of operant conditioning and how knowledge of the related theory and procedures may be used to help dog trainers and dog owners effectively change the behavior of dogs. I was familiar enough with the subject matter that the book served to clarify many of the concepts and applications through the descriptions and examples used. I also learned enough that was new to justify the time and money devoted to reading the book.However, I point out several issues of which readers should be aware. First, I was surprised how often these authors, that otherwise were so precise and careful in their use of “positive” and “negative” as technical terms, slipped into the common trap of also using those words to connote “good” and “bad” respectively. This phenomena is not unique of course to these authors. In fact it is more common than not, and it is responsible to a significant degree to the consequential confusion and disagreements that characterize much of the public discourse and debate on the subject.Second, I was dismayed that these authors are so ignorant of the proper use of modern electronic and prong collar as training tools that when properly used with negative reinforcement training are effective and may be the least aversive correctors a trainer can choose to use. They chose to use the pejorative terms “shock” and “pinch” it seems intentionally to disparage these tools, thus taking sides and becoming active participants in popularizing the misinformation and outright lies associated with these tools.For those reading this book, presumably to find the understanding that will be of value in helping them with the art and science of dog training, this sort of mischaracterization of these tools when used properly and as intended, should be aware that it seems these authors have a prejudice against the use of these tools that cannot be supported by facts. For those seeking the truth in any matter, unsupported claims that are false from those claiming to speak with authority are less than of no help. You might expect this sort of activism from the chauvinists of the positive reinforcement only mass movement, but not from those to which people turn to get unbiased information of value.This may be due to the fact that since this book was written, there has been much water over the dam so to speak with regard to how to properly uses these tools. Electronic collars in particular are not properly used in training to shock dogs. No one with which I am familiar involved in professional dog training is advocating that dogs be shocked. It only requires a minimal amount of diligent research and personal experience to conclude that electronic collars can be used effectively without causing a dog any pain or involving anything resembling an electrical shock.The same is true for the proper and intended use of prong collars. In spite of the mindless attacks on these collars and those using them, the fact is that these collars when use properly and as intended can be much less aversive than other types of collars and less likely to cause pain and injury to a dog.It is true that in the untrained hands of ignorant people a prong collar can be used to cause pain. The same is true for an electronic collar. These can be used to cause a significantly uncomfortable stimulation when used improperly by people that should not either own or be training a dog.You can inflict pain on a dog using a Martingale collar if you know how and are determined to do so. This is the position the authors should have taken in these matters.“It is a poor workman that blames his tools.”

This book takes you through the history of the main technique used in dog training. Then it explains how learning happens basically through operant conditioning, positive reinforcement based training, etc. it is in my opinion a very good book . I studied applied behavior analysis but never worked with dogs and I am now looking to learn to do that. This book was very helpful. As a trainer I particularly liked learning how dog training evolved towards science based positive reinforcement.. it clarifies many details about many trainers that are still out there doing otherwise..

I have been reading many books on dog training, in particular learning theory. This one far exceeds the others in clarity, tightness, and scientific grounding. They do not shy away from describing all techniques, positive and aversive - but done so scientifically and making it VERY CLEAR that aversive tactics that are abusive are not endorsed; but must be understood in the scientific sense - particularly since there is so much misunderstanding regarding punishment and aversive techniques.

I am currently studying to become a professional dog trainer and working under a mentor trainer. This book was required reading for me as the concepts covered are a major part of our curriculum.I enjoyed the scientific approach taken in this book. As well as the references to particular studies that support the information provided.

“How Dogs Learn” is hands-down my favorite book discussing the science behind training dogs. It breaks down important topics such as the history of animal training, basic principles of behavior, behavioral diagnostics, the four quadrants of training and more. There’s a lot of information in the book, so I recommended reading it once to get the gist of it and then a second time while taking notes to digest it fully. This is the first book our trainer course students read, and it is recommended for all shadow program attendees. -Amy Pishner, Owner/Head Trainer Valor K9 Academy

The book was recommended to me by a renowned dog trainer because I had all kinds of questions about what's really going on when I train my dog. The book really goes into the underlying science of behavior (both human and canine) and modification thereof.While the science is there, and some may think it a bit dry, it is vital to truly understanding how to breach any canine/human barriers present in the training environment. While there is scientific detail, the book us replete with real life examples (both human & canine) of behavior issues and the remedies applied. I know I'll be referring back to this book repeatedly from now on.

Read this if you want to start to understand the real intricacies for dog training and behavior. If you implement the concepts and think critically, this book has so many resources. A great reminder for established trainers and great beginning read for people wanting to pursue training who are genuinely interested in science and concepts.

This is an overview of the history of dog training and the development of the theories of learning and jargon which directly relates to the psychology of behaviour/learning/teaching,etc.. While stressing the importance of reinforcement in teaching, it didn't always practise what it preached. I felt that in some cases more reinforcement was needed to assist in the comprehension or retention of some of the technical jargon. For anyone who is already training dogs, I don't feel there is anything particularly useful to be learned here, unless you wish to have an overview of the history of the scientific attempts in the 20th century to categorise behaviour and the different methods of learning/teaching. I believe that dogs learn in far more diverse ways than are detailed in this book, so the title is a bit misleading. As someone with some experience of working with dogs and training them, I've found it too basic to be useful. It was merely a very simplistic overview. For anyone wishing to learn the jargon, a simple summary with some examples would have been more useful. Given that I already knew most of the jargon, this book offered nothing new to me. I'd have preferred a more comprehensive look at how dogs really learn - from the womb onwards, exploring the differences between different breeds, looking at studies which compare differences between breeds, sexes, ages and life experiences of dogs, and different motivators and approaches which might be necessary around these and other variables. Although the jacket of the book is bright and crisp, and the paper is of reasonable quality, the grey typeface was sometimes quite difficult to read when light conditions were not optimal. All in all, it was a bit depressing to read about the cruel training methods used for working dogs, and I feel I learned next to nothing.

This book is quality through and through. The hard cover and quality paper makes this sturdy and will last for years. The content is very informative based on years of empirical research and provides a valuable insight into how dogs learn. The information informs the reader what strategies to use when training dogs and shaping behaviour. Recommended for all dog handlers and owners who are interested in helping to enhance quality of life for all our canine friends.

I don't consider this to be a particularly useful book. The explanation of operant conditioning is far from clear. In my opinion too much time is taken up with setting out the history of operant conditioning which is not going to be of use and is probably not of interest. I also think that the title is misleading as operant conditioning is only one of the ways in which dogs (and humans) learn.The book's stance on positive punishment (and indeed on negative punishment) is now outdated and should be considered to be inhumane despite the the comment in the preface that the subject is treated evenhandedly.I would advise prospective buyers not to waste their money. There are better books on operant conditioning, better books on learning in dogs and better books on dog training. This one has definitely had its day.

Fantastic book, covers the history of dog training (remarkably recent): operant & classical conditioning, reinforcement, extinction ... all the jargon is explained in a clear way.Explains how to increase/decrease behaviours.It also explains the much-misunderstood term "punishment" in a non-hysterical way, and is realistic about the sometimes necessary use of negative reinforcement.Handy templates for assessing a dog too.I read the whole thing in 2 days & will be referring to it for many years.

This book explains conditioning and analyses the best way to train your dog based on psychological methods of operations respondent conditioning.These training methods require time and as the author explains, patience. This book has helped me to understand my dog's behaviour and training better. Would recommend for those who want to understand how to kindly shape and guide their dog's behaviour.