Weekly Wednesday #12 Forms of Learning

To improve the likelihood of a child/student grasping an idea; parents/teachers must be capable of identifying and adapting to the child's/student's style of learning.


Did you know animals have various forms of learning?  Animal learning is rather complex, yet the subject is constantly improving through research.  According to Animal Behavior College (ABC) a few of the known ways in which canines learn are:

• Orienting Reflex
• Single Event or Perceptual Learning
• Desensitization and Habituation Learning
• Sensitization Learning
• Flooding
• Learned Irrelevance
• Back-chaining
• Pattern Learning/Real-Life Learning

We won't discuss them all but each way of learning is a pretty cool research subject... you will be surprised then happy because you are now able to put a label to many of the things you are doing on a daily basis.

Two styles I have used or seen used successfully in dog training are Pattern Learning/Real-Life Learning and Desensitization and Habituation Learning.

Through Desensitization and Habituation Learning your dog is "trained" to not "sweat the small stuff" the daily encounters of human life. -- Car horns, helicopters, beeping large trucks.  The resulting behavior is your dog looking/observing the distraction but not reacting.
It is unwise to use this method without a trainer's guidance. Improper application of this training method can cause a fear response.

Pattern Learning/Real-Life Learning fits obedience training into your daily schedule:

                                  Ex: sit-stay before food bowl is placed on floor.

                                         sit-stay to put leash on or take leash off.
                                         down-stay while the front door is open.

Canines learn basic obedience vocabulary through routine.  Look for ways to train your dog through day to day activities... a trainer can help improve your success and be your guide through the process.

Happy Training!!!