Learning Curve

     Did you realize that every experience your dog has, it is learning from? Like humans, dogs are constantly learning throughout their lives, not just when they are young (although it is easier for dogs and humans to learn new skills at a young age). Anything new can trigger a new behavior pattern.

     If you take a moment to reflect, you will see it. Take for example, a dog that will not allow you to touch it's feet. Sometimes, it is simply life experience that has taught it that "If I make those grumbly noises and show my teeth, people will just leave me alone." Another example, have you ever bragged about how smart your dog is when they learned picking up the leash meant going for a walk? It is not something you went out of your way to show them, the dog has the ability to connect one action with a specific consequence whether or not you are taking the time to emphasize the connection. It has nothing to do with intelligence (most dogs actually have similiar IQs according to studies) but with motivation for the consequence.

("If I sit up like THIS, people notice me!)

     Canines have long amazed us and made stellar companions mainly due to this ability of adaptive learning. Where sometimes it may go awry, is when we as humans forget that training never ends. A dog that has been exposed to a set of undesirable behaviors can try them out a few days, weeks, or months later at home. Even a highly motivated dog who has an impressive vocabulary can forget terms that are not consistently used and rewarded.

     Through our daily interactions, dogs learn the crucial elements for harmony in their given household. If you ever wonder why your dog is an angel when you are home alone with it, and an absolute hooligan whenever guests arrive, consider how much time you spend practicing when there are other people in your home. Actions and occurrences that do not happen with as much frequency can make it more difficult for your dog to determine what behavior is correct. Couple this confusion with the fact that your actions most likely change at least slightly when another person or distraction is present, and it makes perfect sense that your canine's behavior would deviate from the norm.

     So next time you notice your dog doing something you may not particularly be fond of, consider where they may have learned this behavior from.....