The science of dog training: three key building blocks

Our beloved dogs hold a special place in our hearts, with around a third of New Zealand households welcoming these faithful companions into their homes. However, ensuring that our canine friends become valued members of society requires more than just affection; it involves understanding their needs and behaviors to promote responsible ownership and training.  

Here we explore three building blocks for effective and humane dog training, shedding light on how owners can cultivate strong bonds and positive behaviors in their canine companions. But first, let’s step back in time to look at the history of our bond with dogs. 

History of "man's best friend”  

The human-animal bond is considered to be over 12 thousand years old and was likely to be originally based on a mutually beneficial relationship. The dog was one of the first animals to be domesticated – transitioning from being tolerated as a scavenger around the early human settlements to being valued as a human companion, in a relatively short time. The domestic dog (Canis familiaris), one of 38 species in the canine family (Canidae), shares behavioral tendencies with its relatives such as wolves, coyotes, and foxes.  

Yet despite selective breeding for various traits and the length of time we’ve had with them as companions, dogs retain many behaviors common among canines. Behavioral problems often stem from a lack of understanding of normal dog behavior and the variability among breeds and individuals. In many areas, we as humans are falling short in terms of meeting their welfare needs. 

Effective training is one area where there is much room for improvement. Even with the correct use of positive reinforcement methods (often called reward–based training), there are often problems, such as: with the timing of the reward, the clarity of the signals and other factors that can cause problems for the dog in making the correct associations. This can sometimes cause a breakdown in training success - which can be frustrating for both dog and human.  

Sadly, this often leads to inappropriate use of aversive training and handling techniques and even the use of inhumane methods to force the animal to perform (or not) the behaviour.  

A way to overcome this is for dog owners is to understand more about how animals learn most effectively, how they are motivated and how they are different from us.  

1. Understanding Canine Ethology (the science of animal behaviour):  

Dogs are dogs, people are people. It seems a simple statement, but it is very important to understand that what matters to them is different to what matters to us.  

Dogs have evolved from ancestors who were predators, social pack animals and with senses far superior to humans. Making the time to understand them and the way they perceive the world, can not only help us to train in a more canine-centred way but also to appreciate the amazing animals that they are. 

Dogs, though descended from wolves, have been unintentionally bred for a more juvenile appearance, known as paedomorphosis, affecting their communication abilities compared to wolves. This altered physical appearance can affect dogs' communication abilities compared to wolves, with breeds like brachycephalic dogs experiencing limitations in facial expressions. As social beings, dogs thrive in modified pack systems, relying on effective communication for social interactions, underscoring their enduring bond with humans. Despite this bond, issues like relinquishment to shelters due to perceived behavioral problems highlight the need for better understanding and management of canine behaviour, emphasising the importance of education and support from professionals in the field. 

In short, we need to apply science to practice when looking after our canine friends. 

2. Intentional modification of behaviour (AKA “training”) 

Dog training can be defined as the ‘intentional modification of the frequency and/or intensity of specific behavioural responses’. This may sound like a mouthful, but it is crucial to know this isn’t about learning commands – it is about reinforcing a particular desired response to a signal in a consistent and timely manner. This is key to your dog making a good connection between the signal or cue you use and the behavioural response you want. 

Dogs learn through making associations between their actions or inactions and the consequence these actions have for them. Successful and humane training relies upon the trainer having a good understanding of the application of learning theory, dog behaviour and a clear understanding of the goals and the limitations of the training approach being used.  

Reinforcers - from theory to practice: 

• Types of Reinforcers: Reinforcers can be positive, such as treats or praise, or negative, like the release of pressure on a leash (not to be confused with punishment techniques), and are effective in shaping desired behavior. Choosing the reinforcer to use will need to take into account the individual character of each dog, since some will be food motivated, but others prefer to work for toys or attention. 

• Secondary Positive Reinforcement: Techniques like clicker training utilise secondary positive reinforcement, conditioning dogs to associate a specific signal with a reward, facilitating training even at a distance. 

• Reinforcement Schedules: There are also different types of reinforcement schedules that can be used to keep your dog motivated. Once the dog has learned the association between a cue/signal because he/she has been rewarded after every correct response using a continuous reinforcement schedule –some trainers will switch to a more variable schedule so that the dog maintains his or her motivation to perform the response, or even get better at it. The differential reinforcement (DR) schedule is where the dog is given different valued rewards that reflect the quality of their performance of the response. For example, the dog only gets rewarded for above-average responses, getting better rewards for better responses. 

 Punishment-based methods, like loud noises or shouts should be avoided. These may temporarily stop unwanted behavior but can lead to fear and anxiety in dogs. Responsible guardians should prioritise reward-based or positive training methods, emphasising the need for humane and ethical treatment in achieving successful behavior modification in dogs. Developing good timing, whatever method you use, is key to reward the response you want consistently and immediately.  

3. Asking for help 

Finally, it is absolutely fine to ask for help when you need it. Asking for help when you need dog training is not only acceptable but highly encouraged for several reasons. Firstly, every dog is unique, with its own personality, temperament, and learning style, making it challenging for novice trainers to navigate training complexities effectively.  

Seeking guidance from experienced professionals ensures that training approaches are tailored to your dog's individual needs, maximizing effectiveness and minimizing frustration for both you and your pet. Additionally, professional trainers possess a wealth of knowledge in canine behavior and training techniques, offering valuable insights and strategies to address specific issues or challenges you may encounter during the training process.  

Moreover, seeking help demonstrates responsible pet ownership, prioritising your dog's well-being and development by investing in proper training and socialisation.  

You can get expert help from one of the Companion Animals New Zealand Accredited Animal Trainers and Animal Behaviourists who only use humane training methods that are based on an understanding of the way animals learn. Follow the link below for more information about who you can approach in your area.   

More about responsible pet ownership 

In New Zealand, regulations outlined in the Dog Control Act 1996 establish legal obligations for dog owners, emphasising care, control, and registration. Companion Animals New Zealand advocates for microchipping and registration, promoting initiatives like the New Zealand Companion Animal Register to enhance pet safety and reunification in case of emergencies or straying. 

Tolerance for our pets by others in our community requires that they be trained and contained so that they do not become a public problem. Being a good animal citizen is essential, and since the dog doesn’t know the rules, it’s up to the responsible owner to ensure that they provide their dog with the correct socialisation and good training to ensure they are an asset rather than a liability.