DOGS

VICTORIA STILWELL, “It’s Me or the Dog” TV show host, November 26, 2008
CZIKOWSKY: I guess since dogs don’t talk, we may never know for sure the answer to this, but perhaps you may have a good feeling about this. Dogs are trained with rewards, or in order to get a favorable vocal response. Do you think dogs understand why they are being trained or perhaps think that may be part of natural upbringing, or do you think they just assume this is something humans want and I’ll get a food reward if I play along?
STILWELL: Great question!
Dogs are very sensitive creatures who gravitate towards animals and experiences which give them comfort while avoiding those who do not. This is basic instinct which is important for their survival.
I don’t believe that dogs perceive the experience of training the same way we humans do. What they do go through is a process known as operant conditioning, where if a certain action or behavior is rewarded, there is a greater chance of then offering that behavior again in the hope of getting a reward. At the same time, behavioral science has shown that dogs do feel emotions (happiness, sadness, frustration, fear, etc.) and that the emotional part of a dog’s brain is very similar to that of humans. So while dogs may respond to training because they’ve learned they’ll be rewarded, a lot of their behavior is very emotionally driven.

ARDEN MOORE, author, January 7, 2009
CZIKOWSKY: I see you wrote about clicker training dogs. What are the advantages of the clicker over vocal commands?
MOORE: Clicked commands are quicker---sometimes, we can stumble over words or say words that sound like other words and create canine confusion. I’m a fan of using voice, hand, and clicker cues for my dogs so they can be responsive in any situation. Karen Pryor is the queen of clicker training and I learned from the best!