Classical conditioning is also known as respondent conditioning and the concept was developed by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov while studying digestive processes in dogs. It is a simple and dynamic type of learning, carried out by intense scientific research.
In this article on our site we will explain in detail what is classical conditioning in dogs, how this learning can be developed and how apply it in the training of our dog. All the information you need, below:
Classical conditioning learning
Many environmental stimuli produce reflex responses that have not been learned. For example, the presence of food in the mouth causes salivation, a loud noise causes startle, intense light causes contraction of the pupils, etc. The stimuli that produce these responses are known as unconditioned stimuli, and the responses are known as unconditioned responses. In this case, the term "unconditioned" means that learning is not necessary for the stimulus to elicit the response.
Other stimuli are neutral because they do not cause reflex responses in the organism. For example, the sound of a bell will not cause salivation.
Classical conditioning occurs when the neutral stimulus acquires the property of producing the unconditioned response, because it has been repeatedly associated with the unconditioned stimulus. For example, if you ring a bell every time you give your dog food, after a few times he will associate the sound of the bell with food and salivate every time he hears it.
The neutral stimulus that has acquired the property of producing the reflex response is known as a conditioned stimulus. The term "conditioned" means that learning is necessary for the stimulus to elicit the response. It is easy to see classical conditioning in everyday life. Dog examples abound:
- Dogs that go crazy with excitement every time their owner takes the leash to go for a walk.
- Dogs that come immediately whenever they see their owners pick up the food bowl.
- Dogs that run to hide every time the gardener appears, because they associated this person with unpleasant events.
Counterconditioning
A response that has been conditioned can also be counterconditioned. That is, classical conditioning learning can be reversed using the same process.
For example, a dog that learned to be aggressive because he had bad experiences with people, can learn to socialize with people if something nice happens to him every time he sees a stranger.
The counterconditioning process is often used to modify inappropriate emotional behaviors, and is often done in conjunction with desensitization. Using positive reinforcement is an excellent tool.
Classical conditioning in dog training
Classical conditioning is a very powerful tool in dog training, as it allows you to work directly on the animal's emotions. Therefore, classical conditioning will be useful to socialize your dog, to treat phobias that he may have and to reduce undesirable behaviors.
In all these cases, the training principle is to get your dog to associate people, other dogs and stressful situations with pleasant things (food, games, etc.).
You will also use classical conditioning to create a conditioned reinforcer. A conditioned reinforcer is a signal that tells your dog that he has done something right and that the consequences of his behavior will be pleasant. Conditioned reinforcer is the basis of clicker training, for example.
