Dogs learn primarily in three ways body language, eye contact, and physical space. Each behavior we teach our dogs can be done in different ways such as shaping, luring, or capturing. To reinforce these behaviors we use Marker words and Rewards.
This is How Dogs Learn!
Body Language / Eye Contact / Physical Space
Body Langauge can be as simple as crouching down to invite your dog to cuddle or giving them the look when they do something wrong. The important thing to remember is that just like when we are learning a new language or sport we need to slow down to better understand and learn. Dogs are the same way. We need to isolate those cues that are important at the moment as dogs are experts in reading body language.
Eye Contact is subtle but dogs are masters of subtle body language. They pay attention to even the tiniest details they encounter to indicate a range of attitudes from aggression to acceptance. They sense your energy or mood when you just look at them even for a moment. Long intense stare-downs are considered aggressive, where full-body calm looks are submissive and calming.
Physical Space this means the space around you and your dog at any given time. We ask our dogs to respect our space as we do theirs. When you ask a dog to sit and they do not simply step into their space until they sit. When they do back up and give their space back. Mark and Reward. This can be used in Jumping, when a dog jumps on you use no words or hand gestures and step towards them until they get off, and mark when they have four on the floor.
Learning through Training Techniques
Shaping / Luring / Capturing
Shaping is when you don’t teach the final behavior but rather break it down into smaller steps that build toward it. For example, if you want to teach your dog to roll over you would teach, sit, down, half roll then full rollover.
Luring is when you take a treat and show your dog how to do something with your hand movement with a treat typically in your hand. For example, to teach sit we lure our dogs to place their butt on the ground by taking a treat in their hand and raising it slightly over their nose until their butt is on the ground.
Capturing is when you mark behavior that already your dog does on its own. For example down. When you are watching tv and notice your dog laying down, mark with “yes” and walk away. You are capturing a behavior they gave you, so they will eventually understand what down is.
This is How Dogs Learn to keep doing a Behavior.
Marker Word & Rewards
Marker word is just that, a word that marks a behavior. You can also use a clicker which also marks the behavior but I find sometimes it is difficult to hold a click, treats, and a leash. I highly encourage using “yes” as a marking word. For example, I asked my dog to Sit, as soon as her butt hits the ground I mark her with a “yes” and reward her with a treat or praise which are both types of reinforcement.
Reward these are treats, toys, or even praise given to the dog after they have done some behavior. Now whether that behavior was positively or negatively reinforced is another thing. Find what your dog enjoys as a reward and make sure you have high value and everyday value treats.
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