Influential People in the Development of Learning Theory Part I
By Robert Forto, PhD
Huxley and Darwin
It is unclear when formalized studies of learning actually began, however, Professor Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895) birthed the theory of association in the early 1870’s. Professor Huxley stated that “It may be laid down as a rule, that, if any two mental states be called up together, or in succession, with due frequency and vividness, the subsequent production of one of them [mental states] will suffice to call up the other, and that whether we desire it or not.” This observation may very well have laid the groundwork for later studies in respondent and operant conditioning. Huxley was an outspoken advocate of the naturalist Charles Darwin (1809-1882). The professor was so passionate in his defense of Darwin’s theories that he was often referred to as “Darwin’s Bulldog”.
In Darwin’s The Expression of the Emotion in Man and Animals, Professor Huxley’s influence was evident in Darwin’s observations of the emotions of man and animals. When studying animal expression Darwin was vividly aware of the challenges associated with those observations. He writes, “The study of expression is difficult, owing to the movements being often extremely slight, and of a fleeting nature.” Nevertheless, Darwin’s careful observations were of immeasurable value to later researchers. Darwin continued where Huxley left off by recognizing that movements, no matter how complex, can be performed with little or no forethought and minimal efforts when they have been performed with enough frequency. This premise was the foundation for Darwin’s Principle of Antithesis, which reasons, that states of mind lead to the performance of “habitual actions”, when a “directly opposite” state of mind occurs, there is a “strong and involuntary” tendency to perform movements and actions of a “directly opposite nature”. This principle is of special interest to observers of canine communication techniques, and can help the astute observer decipher the signal being sent and received by a canine, whether it is intra- or interspecies communication. Darwin states further “that gestures and expressions are to a certain extent mutually intelligible.”
Darwin speaks of his own dog’s “hot-house” face and reasoned that the opposite expression displayed by his dog was innate and not a deliberate attempt at communicating his desire to not go to the “hot-house.” He further states, “hence for the development of the movements which came under the present head, some other principle, distinct from the will and consciousness, must have intervened.”
While the vast majority of canine communication is accomplished via body language, there is some evidence that canines posses at least a limited verbal vocabulary. While most canines in the wild do not bark, but howl, this is not the case for the domesticated canine. According to Darwin “…some animals after being domesticated have acquired the habit of uttering sounds which were not natural to them. Thus domesticated dogs, and even tamed jackals have learnt [sic] to bark, which is a noise not proper to any species of the genus with the exception of the Canis latrans of North America, which is said to bark.” In regard to the Principle of Antithesis “…the bark of anger, and that of joy are sounds which by no means stand in opposition to one another;…” This lack of observable difference between barks is likely the reason that canines rely on body language so extensively. Canine body language has been studied extensively and is well documented. These postures or lack of them have been discussed in-depth in chapter three.
This is will be a multi-week series on the influential people in learning theory and the dawn of modern dog training.
If you have any questions or comments we would love to hear from you at live@dogdoctorradio.com
Tags: Robert Forto | Michele Forto | Iditarod | Team Ineka | Dog Training Denver | Dog Doctor Radio | Denver Dog Works | Mushing Radio | Duluth Dog Works | Minnesota Dog Works
___________________
Dr. Robert Forto is the training director of Denver Dog Works and the host of the Dog Doctor Radio Show. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com
Showing posts with label #dogs #dogtraining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #dogs #dogtraining. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Competition between Dogs
Competition between Dogs
By Robert Forto, PhD
When animals live together in close social groups such as a sled dog kennel, they often compete for limited resources and dominance of the dog pack. These situations create the need for social communication systems. If the dogs in the kennel do not communicate with each other, the competition is unregulated and uncontrolled. If there is no control over the competition the dogs waste time in pointless fighting and the risk of injury is greater for those dogs competing for those resources. One of Robert Forto’s dogs, Muffassa, would constantly be getting into fights over the daily food ration. It came to the point where human intervention was required to save this dog’s life. Communication systems have been developed for regulating such a conflict. Techniques such as threat and submissive displays make fighting less frequent, less disruptive, and less severe. If fighting is a problem in a sled dog kennel, then it will be the musher’s number one priority to find a solution to this problem. If the dogs fight at home, then they will surely fight at a race, which can cause severe consequences to both the musher and the team.
When dogs live in large social groups, such as a sled dog kennel, they can present significant problems to their environment. To prevent such problems, groups develop a territory for themselves and organize their groups with a definite hierarchy. The groups are maintained by a variety of auditory, visual, and olfactory signals.
Establishing a Territory
Wolves in the wild look as if to establish a territory and define an area through urine marking and vocalization. Sled dogs appear do the same thing. As males mature they begin to mark their kennel areas and their places on the dog truck to define their space.
If the wolves detect other wolves intruding on their territory they will threaten or attack the intruder if necessary. Establishing and defending a territory helps wolves to spread themselves over a wider geographical area, thereby preventing over-hunting, which results in a reduction in the number of prey animals.
Competition between individuals in the same group is regulated through the use of threat and submissive displays. The most easily recognized social communication displays are those associated with threat and submission. With sled dogs, threat displays may involve alpha takedowns, growling or snapping, and urinating in the water bowls and other the more subordinate dog’s faces.
Establishing a Dominance Hierarchy
Establishing a territory in the wild puts some distance between groups, which in turn helps to regulate excessive competition and conflict over environmental resources. Establishing a dominance hierarchy within a sled dog kennel will put distance between the individual members in terms of social rank or status. Social harmony between animals living in groups depends on a fine balance between competition and cooperation. Excessive conflict and strife between members of a social group will gradually cause the group to dissolve. Communicating through highly ritualized threat and submissive displays allows competitive animals to interact and cooperate with one another in relative harmony.
Forto, R., Interview by James Myers 16 May 2005. Interview 1.
Forto, R., Interview by James Myers 16 May 2005. Interview 1.
______________________________
Dr. Robert Forto is the training director for Dog Works Training Centers and is the host of a weekly radio program, The Dog Doctor Radio Show, every Saturday. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com
By Robert Forto, PhD
When animals live together in close social groups such as a sled dog kennel, they often compete for limited resources and dominance of the dog pack. These situations create the need for social communication systems. If the dogs in the kennel do not communicate with each other, the competition is unregulated and uncontrolled. If there is no control over the competition the dogs waste time in pointless fighting and the risk of injury is greater for those dogs competing for those resources. One of Robert Forto’s dogs, Muffassa, would constantly be getting into fights over the daily food ration. It came to the point where human intervention was required to save this dog’s life. Communication systems have been developed for regulating such a conflict. Techniques such as threat and submissive displays make fighting less frequent, less disruptive, and less severe. If fighting is a problem in a sled dog kennel, then it will be the musher’s number one priority to find a solution to this problem. If the dogs fight at home, then they will surely fight at a race, which can cause severe consequences to both the musher and the team.
When dogs live in large social groups, such as a sled dog kennel, they can present significant problems to their environment. To prevent such problems, groups develop a territory for themselves and organize their groups with a definite hierarchy. The groups are maintained by a variety of auditory, visual, and olfactory signals.
Establishing a Territory
Wolves in the wild look as if to establish a territory and define an area through urine marking and vocalization. Sled dogs appear do the same thing. As males mature they begin to mark their kennel areas and their places on the dog truck to define their space.
If the wolves detect other wolves intruding on their territory they will threaten or attack the intruder if necessary. Establishing and defending a territory helps wolves to spread themselves over a wider geographical area, thereby preventing over-hunting, which results in a reduction in the number of prey animals.
Competition between individuals in the same group is regulated through the use of threat and submissive displays. The most easily recognized social communication displays are those associated with threat and submission. With sled dogs, threat displays may involve alpha takedowns, growling or snapping, and urinating in the water bowls and other the more subordinate dog’s faces.
Establishing a Dominance Hierarchy
Establishing a territory in the wild puts some distance between groups, which in turn helps to regulate excessive competition and conflict over environmental resources. Establishing a dominance hierarchy within a sled dog kennel will put distance between the individual members in terms of social rank or status. Social harmony between animals living in groups depends on a fine balance between competition and cooperation. Excessive conflict and strife between members of a social group will gradually cause the group to dissolve. Communicating through highly ritualized threat and submissive displays allows competitive animals to interact and cooperate with one another in relative harmony.
Forto, R., Interview by James Myers 16 May 2005. Interview 1.
Forto, R., Interview by James Myers 16 May 2005. Interview 1.
______________________________
Dr. Robert Forto is the training director for Dog Works Training Centers and is the host of a weekly radio program, The Dog Doctor Radio Show, every Saturday. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com
Friday, November 13, 2009
The Business End of the Leash: Dog Works Training Centers
The Business End of the Leash
Welcome to The Dog Works Training Center Business Opportunity
By Robert Forto, PhD
Thinking about a career, maybe you’re thinking about your next career, or just supplementing your income. Look no further. At The Dog Works Training Center – We have the best and train the rest!
Our founders Dr. Robert Forto, Ph.D. and his wife Michele set out a decade ago to build the best dog training center in Denver, Colorado. Through hard work and perseverance they now can help you Never Forget Your Dreams!
A Dog Works Training Center Business Opportunity not only trains you how to become the best dog trainer you can be but the training program has a key emphasis on training you how to manage and market your new business. Our program is different from the rest. Dr. Forto is an animal behaviorist and holds an M.B.A. with 20 years of dog training and industry experience. He has written and teaches his own canine obedience instructor certification course which is the first step. By ensuring that you learn the business end of the leash not only will you be successful you will see results immediately.
The pet industry is ever-expanding and growing, even in the current economic state. In today’s lifestyle many families are carrying more than one job and in some cases one or more persons is working a second job. Mom is looking for a legitimate work-from-home business are amongst are most interested clientele.
Becoming a certified canine obedience instructor and a business owner of your own dog works training center gives you a sense of worth and gives you opportunities every day to help people and their dogs begin to live the lifestyle that they imagined when they first got their dog. Challenging things happen along the way, that’s where a certified canine obedience instructor is most sought after. Just review some of the statistics. There are more than 75 million pet dogs in the U.S. This year Americans will spend more than $40 billion to keep our pets fed, adorned, amused, and healthy with more owners paying top dollar for elaborate medical treatments to forestall that inevitable last visit to the vet. By the end of the decade, Americans will be spending $50 billion on pet products, according to the APPMA (American Pet Products Manufacturers Association) (2000 – 2001). 47% of owners consider their pets full-fledged family members.
As certified/business, owner/instructor of a Dog Works Training Center in your city, you will be the answer to those dog owners that love their dogs, but just cannot find a way to deal with barking, house breaking, obedience, or other behavioral problems. Every year thousands of dogs unfortunately end of in shelters because owners just cannot find a way to solve their dogs’ behavioral problems. We have many testimonials thanking us teaching families how to maintain the lifestyle with their dogs that they imagined when they picked out their dog that first day.
If you expect the best and want to be the best, then this is the business opportunity you have been looking for.
What could dog training do for me? Becoming a certified canine obedience instructor allows you to set your own schedule, help people to have a more enjoyable relationship with their dog and much more. Dog training allows you to work closely with dogs and if you’re already dabbling in dog training then this is the perfect business opportunity for you.
I am sure there are plenty of dog trainers out there, why would someone pick me? As certified/business, owner/instructor of a Dog Works Training Center in your city you will be the most sought after trainer because you took the time to become certified. You will be trusted and awarded for your efforts in the dog training community.
A Dog Training Career is what you will have when you complete are comprehensive training program.
• Positive reinforcement training;
• The business end of the leash – effectively learn how to promote your new business;
• Continued support from Dog Works Training Center headquarters;
• Business Package includes; correspondence certification course that prepares you to take the National Certification exam, business and sales development training, branding, advertising, website, on-site apprenticeship, life time support, access to our training resources database, Behaviorist Consultations, seminars, conferences, events, and much more.
At The Dog Works Training Center, We have the best and train the rest! We provide you with detailed information and training to get your business of to a great start. Not only are we canine obedience instructors and business savvy, but Dr. Forto has written a course to help you become a certified obedience instructor. The Canine Behavioral Sciences course is what sets The Dog Works Training Center apart from all other franchise opportunities out there. The course can be completed in just 12 weeks, making it the most comprehensive course out there. Not only teaching you how to train but recognize behaviors and certain health conditions contributing to the dogs overall stability.
If you would like to learn more information please contact us by email at info@dogtrainingcenter.com or call anytime at 303-578-9881.
The Dog Works Training Center, LLC will refund 100% of licensing fees you pay us if, at any time during the 12 week training program, it is deemed by the instructors that you will not successfully complete the DW Business Owner Certification. Why do we have such simple, pervasive guarantee and put it in writing? We have a reputation to protect. If you cannot grasp the business from the outset, we’d rather recruit and train another owner in your market right away.
_________________________
Dr. Robert Forto is the training director for The Dog Works Training Center, LLC and of several other dog training schools. Dr. Forto hosts a weekly radio show, The Dog Doctor Radio Show, every Saturday. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com
Welcome to The Dog Works Training Center Business Opportunity
By Robert Forto, PhD
Thinking about a career, maybe you’re thinking about your next career, or just supplementing your income. Look no further. At The Dog Works Training Center – We have the best and train the rest!
Our founders Dr. Robert Forto, Ph.D. and his wife Michele set out a decade ago to build the best dog training center in Denver, Colorado. Through hard work and perseverance they now can help you Never Forget Your Dreams!
A Dog Works Training Center Business Opportunity not only trains you how to become the best dog trainer you can be but the training program has a key emphasis on training you how to manage and market your new business. Our program is different from the rest. Dr. Forto is an animal behaviorist and holds an M.B.A. with 20 years of dog training and industry experience. He has written and teaches his own canine obedience instructor certification course which is the first step. By ensuring that you learn the business end of the leash not only will you be successful you will see results immediately.
The pet industry is ever-expanding and growing, even in the current economic state. In today’s lifestyle many families are carrying more than one job and in some cases one or more persons is working a second job. Mom is looking for a legitimate work-from-home business are amongst are most interested clientele.
Becoming a certified canine obedience instructor and a business owner of your own dog works training center gives you a sense of worth and gives you opportunities every day to help people and their dogs begin to live the lifestyle that they imagined when they first got their dog. Challenging things happen along the way, that’s where a certified canine obedience instructor is most sought after. Just review some of the statistics. There are more than 75 million pet dogs in the U.S. This year Americans will spend more than $40 billion to keep our pets fed, adorned, amused, and healthy with more owners paying top dollar for elaborate medical treatments to forestall that inevitable last visit to the vet. By the end of the decade, Americans will be spending $50 billion on pet products, according to the APPMA (American Pet Products Manufacturers Association) (2000 – 2001). 47% of owners consider their pets full-fledged family members.
As certified/business, owner/instructor of a Dog Works Training Center in your city, you will be the answer to those dog owners that love their dogs, but just cannot find a way to deal with barking, house breaking, obedience, or other behavioral problems. Every year thousands of dogs unfortunately end of in shelters because owners just cannot find a way to solve their dogs’ behavioral problems. We have many testimonials thanking us teaching families how to maintain the lifestyle with their dogs that they imagined when they picked out their dog that first day.
If you expect the best and want to be the best, then this is the business opportunity you have been looking for.
What could dog training do for me? Becoming a certified canine obedience instructor allows you to set your own schedule, help people to have a more enjoyable relationship with their dog and much more. Dog training allows you to work closely with dogs and if you’re already dabbling in dog training then this is the perfect business opportunity for you.
I am sure there are plenty of dog trainers out there, why would someone pick me? As certified/business, owner/instructor of a Dog Works Training Center in your city you will be the most sought after trainer because you took the time to become certified. You will be trusted and awarded for your efforts in the dog training community.
A Dog Training Career is what you will have when you complete are comprehensive training program.
• Positive reinforcement training;
• The business end of the leash – effectively learn how to promote your new business;
• Continued support from Dog Works Training Center headquarters;
• Business Package includes; correspondence certification course that prepares you to take the National Certification exam, business and sales development training, branding, advertising, website, on-site apprenticeship, life time support, access to our training resources database, Behaviorist Consultations, seminars, conferences, events, and much more.
At The Dog Works Training Center, We have the best and train the rest! We provide you with detailed information and training to get your business of to a great start. Not only are we canine obedience instructors and business savvy, but Dr. Forto has written a course to help you become a certified obedience instructor. The Canine Behavioral Sciences course is what sets The Dog Works Training Center apart from all other franchise opportunities out there. The course can be completed in just 12 weeks, making it the most comprehensive course out there. Not only teaching you how to train but recognize behaviors and certain health conditions contributing to the dogs overall stability.
If you would like to learn more information please contact us by email at info@dogtrainingcenter.com or call anytime at 303-578-9881.
The Dog Works Training Center, LLC will refund 100% of licensing fees you pay us if, at any time during the 12 week training program, it is deemed by the instructors that you will not successfully complete the DW Business Owner Certification. Why do we have such simple, pervasive guarantee and put it in writing? We have a reputation to protect. If you cannot grasp the business from the outset, we’d rather recruit and train another owner in your market right away.
_________________________
Dr. Robert Forto is the training director for The Dog Works Training Center, LLC and of several other dog training schools. Dr. Forto hosts a weekly radio show, The Dog Doctor Radio Show, every Saturday. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Influential People in Learning Theory Part II
Canine Trainers Forum: Influential People in Learning Theory Part II
By Robert Forto, PhD
This is a weekly series of articles on Canine Training. We will post these articles every Saturday. We are going to start by posting articles about the history of human-canine communication and learning theory and why this approach is the de-facto method of training our companion animals. The training methods used by many trainers and training schools simply do not work. They are not based on the principles of how a dog learns. I classify these types of trainers into two groups: Yank and Crank and Wait and See trainers (We will discuss both of these methods in a future article so stay tuned and subscribe to our blog on our website Denver Dog Works). Both of these methods will have a degree of success but not a long term effect on changing your dog's overall behavior. Both of these methods are an "easy way out" for training your dog.
I will be the first to admit that dog training is work. Hard work and it takes a great deal of knowledge, understanding, patience and adaption in order for it to be a success. Do you want to go to a trainer or training school that has a trainer that is still wet-behind-the-ears or is earning minimum wage at a big box store? Or do you want to go to a professional that has literally lived with a pack of sled dogs for the better part of fifteen years and earned his doctorate on the basis of human-canine communication? If you would like to talk about this in more detail, I encourage you to give us a call anytime at 303-578-9881 303-578-9881 or send us an email at train@denverdogworks.com We look forward to hearing from you!
Influential People in the Development of Learning Theory
Pavlov, Thorndike, and Watson
Many attribute the beginning point of modern theories of behavior to Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936).A Russian physiologist, and Nobel Prize winner, Pavlov studied digestion in dogs.While conducting this research he observed his canine subjects salivating before the food was presented.Pavlov reasoned that his dogs were displaying this behavior in response to either the presence of his lab assistants, or the sound of the door opening.
Pavlov then conducted a series of experiments where he rang a bell just prior to feeding his canines.After a number of trials, the ringing of the bell by itself elicited the reflexive salivation of the canines.This phenomenon became known as Pavlovian or classical conditioning.Pavlov had succeeded in taking a reflexive action and putting it on cue, thereby creating a "conditioned reflex".This new science became known as respondent conditioning, and was an important predecessor to modern operant conditioning.Respondent conditioning and conditioned reflexive responses explain why a dog begins to salivate when its owner begins the feeding ritual.The understanding of this type of conditioning can enhance a trainer's procedure.Most training procedures are indeed built upon the principles of operant conditioning, which will be discussed in greater depth in a later part of this chapter.Respondent conditioning on the other hand is most useful when trying to change a dog's behavior.Some examples might be habituation, counter-conditioning, systematic desensitization, and flooding.These principles will also be discussed later in this chapter.
Edward Lee Thorndike (1874-1949) studied the effect different consequences have on behaviors.Thorndike is known for the Law of Effect, which simply states that responses or behaviors that produce pleasant rewards are likely to increase in frequency.This law is the foundation on which operant conditioning is built, and is the predecessor of all the "treat training" now being advocated in modern dog training.Thorndike's experiments were being conducted in the United States near the time that Pavlov's dogs were salivating in Russia.
J.B. Watson (1878-1958) has been credited as the father of modern behaviorism.A psychologist who worked at John Hopkins University, as well as, The University of Chicago, Watson emphasized the need to move the study of behavior away from the concentration on thoughts and feelings towards a more scientific, experimental study of behavior.Watson is best known for his "Little Albert" study in which he and his colleague, R. Rayner, conditioned a fear reaction in an eleven-month-old boy named Albert.The study went like this:
"Initially, Albert was allowed to play freely with a white rat.Then, a loud noise was presented whenever Albert reached out and touched the rat.The noise was loud enough to startle Albert.In one week, whenever the rat was presented Albert would cry, even without the noise.He also generalized his fear to other things, including a dog, a rabbit, and a Santa Claus mask.Watson used respondent conditioning (in this case, the startle reflex) to modify Albert's behavior." [i]
Skinner, Keller, and Schoenfeld
B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) continued the work that Thorndike started.He was the leading advocate of a more modern version of Thorndike's Law of Effect, which states, "The frequency of a behavior increases or decreases according to the result it [the behavior] produces." [ii]
When Skinner was pursuing his doctorate at Harvard University he discovered that he could methodically change the behavior of lab rats by rewarding them with food.This study proceeded in the following stages:
"First, the rat was rewarded simply for facing the correct end of the cage.Next, the rat was rewarded only when it stood next to the lever.Later stages delayed the reward until the rat touched the lever with its body.Eventually the rat learned it had to press the lever to receive a pellet of food." [iii]
Skinner's viewpoints were unique in that he felt the proper study of behavior should be limited to "observable events" of behavior, and instead of how the subject might think.He consistently argued against making interpretations based on events that could not be observed.Skinner did not discuss intervening variables, such as hunger or thirst, when interpreting behavioral learning.
In 1938, B.F. Skinner published The Behavior of Organisms (New York: D. Appleton-Century Co.).Many consider this milestone work the leading authority on the science of operant conditioning.Today many dog trainers are using clickers for training canines; clickers are conditioned reinforcers that have been used by conditioning experts since the 1940's.Skinner wrote about clickers, which he called "crickets", in a paper called How to Teach Animals in 1951.
While on the faculty of the University of Minnesota, Skinner's study of operant conditioning principles was expanded to include pigeons.He was studying a phenomenon known as extinction when it occurred to him to ask himself, are theories of learning necessary?As previously discussed Skinner felt the study of behavior should be limited to events that were observable and measurable.Skinner maintained that the science of behavior should actually deal with behavior in its relation to variables that could be systematically manipulated.
Skinner was a leading advocate of Expectancy Theory; it was his contention that learning theory was in reality nothing more that expectancy.He wrote, "When we assert that an animal acts in a given way because it expects to receive food [or any reinforcers], then what began as the task of accounting for a learned behavior becomes the task of accounting for expectancy." [iv] Skinner is also partially credited for moving the science of operant conditioning beyond the lab, and towards a viable technology for changing behavior.
Fred S. Keller (1899-1966) is well known for his work on a teaching method known as Personalized System of Instruction (PSI).Keller was a classmate, and lifelong friend of B. F. Skinner. While it is true that Skinner ultimately wound up on the faculty at Harvard, where as Keller taught at Columbia, they remained colleagues throughout their lives.
In 1947, Fred Keller teamed up with William Schoenfeld (1915-1996) at Columbia University and began to teach the first college psychology course employing Skinner's methods.Undergraduate students taught rats to respond to stimuli in order to obtain reinforcement.Keller and Schoenfeld published the first text in the emerging field of operant conditioning in 1950 entitled Principles of Psychology.
Breland and Bailey
In 1938, Marian Kruse, a research assistant, was bitten by one of B. F. Skinner's lab rats.On her way to receive medical attention Kruse met Keller Breland, a brilliant and ambitious graduate student in psychology. A professional and personal relationship developed and they were married in 1941; the same year the United States was going to war.
B. F. Skinner was convinced that the science of operant conditioning could be used to effectively help the war effort.Skinner's prior experience with the behavior of pigeons was invaluable to Project Pelican.Keller and Marian Breland trained pigeons to guide bombs for the Navy; fittingly these bombs were called "pelicans".Project Pelican was disbanded in 1943, but Marian Breland carried on by training animals for commercials and animal shows.
The Brelands published Applied Animal Psychology in 1951.This paper described how operant conditioning could be used to teach animals.They are credited by many for ushering in the commercial application of the science of operant conditioning.
With stories in The Wall Street Journal, Time, and even Life; the Brelands were obviously quite popular.With this popularity, Marine Studios in Florida noticed the Brelands and worked with them to develop a dolphin act.The development of this same act led to the publication of the first procedural training manual for dolphin trainers.Operant conditioning and conditioned reinforcers played an enormous role in the training procedures of dolphins due to the distance that the trainer is removed from the subject.
The Brelands' involvement with dolphins brought them, and their teaching methods, to the attention of the Navy yet again.A zoologist from the University of California by the name of Bob Bailey headed up the Navy's Dolphins at Sea program.In 1965 Bailey drew on the extensive experience of the Brelands in respect to the behavior of pigeons. In this with respect, in developing an ambush detection system for the Army.In the same year Keller Breland passed away.Bob Bailey and Marian Breland continued the work that the three of them had started. They were eventually married in 1976.
Bob Bailey also developed the concept of a bridging stimulus, which is a method of using a "bridge of time" between the subject animals' correct response and the delivery of a primary reinforcer.
The value of the contribution that these individuals made to the advancement of learning theory is without measure and cannot be understated.Because of their redundant work the understanding of learning has made important advancements throughout the years. If you would like to read my doctorate dissertation: Chasing the Dream: A History of Human-Canine Communication in the Sport of Dog Sledding in its entirety it can be purchased as a .pdf from for $19.10 please send me an email at train@denverdogworks.com and I will arrange it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[i] Burch, M., Ph.D., and Bailey, J. S., Ph.D ., How Dogs Learn. Howell Book House,1999, Pg. 5.
[ii] Plonsky, M., Ph.D., " How Dogs Learn," Thomson Education Direct, Scranton, PA, 2001, Pg. 36.
[iii] Plonsky, M., Ph.D., " How Dogs Learn," Thomson Education Direct, Scranton, PA, 2001, Pg. 36. Pg. 37
[iv] Skinner, B.F., Are Theories of Learning Necessary?, (1950), Web Document: "Classics in the History of Psychology" by Christopher D. Green, http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Skinner/Theories.
_______________________________
Dr. Robert Forto is the training director for Denver Dog Works and the Ineka Project in Colorado. Dr. Forto hosts a weekly program, The Dog Doctor Radio Show every Saturday. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com
By Robert Forto, PhD
This is a weekly series of articles on Canine Training. We will post these articles every Saturday. We are going to start by posting articles about the history of human-canine communication and learning theory and why this approach is the de-facto method of training our companion animals. The training methods used by many trainers and training schools simply do not work. They are not based on the principles of how a dog learns. I classify these types of trainers into two groups: Yank and Crank and Wait and See trainers (We will discuss both of these methods in a future article so stay tuned and subscribe to our blog on our website Denver Dog Works). Both of these methods will have a degree of success but not a long term effect on changing your dog's overall behavior. Both of these methods are an "easy way out" for training your dog.
I will be the first to admit that dog training is work. Hard work and it takes a great deal of knowledge, understanding, patience and adaption in order for it to be a success. Do you want to go to a trainer or training school that has a trainer that is still wet-behind-the-ears or is earning minimum wage at a big box store? Or do you want to go to a professional that has literally lived with a pack of sled dogs for the better part of fifteen years and earned his doctorate on the basis of human-canine communication? If you would like to talk about this in more detail, I encourage you to give us a call anytime at 303-578-9881 303-578-9881 or send us an email at train@denverdogworks.com We look forward to hearing from you!
Influential People in the Development of Learning Theory
Pavlov, Thorndike, and Watson
Many attribute the beginning point of modern theories of behavior to Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936).A Russian physiologist, and Nobel Prize winner, Pavlov studied digestion in dogs.While conducting this research he observed his canine subjects salivating before the food was presented.Pavlov reasoned that his dogs were displaying this behavior in response to either the presence of his lab assistants, or the sound of the door opening.
Pavlov then conducted a series of experiments where he rang a bell just prior to feeding his canines.After a number of trials, the ringing of the bell by itself elicited the reflexive salivation of the canines.This phenomenon became known as Pavlovian or classical conditioning.Pavlov had succeeded in taking a reflexive action and putting it on cue, thereby creating a "conditioned reflex".This new science became known as respondent conditioning, and was an important predecessor to modern operant conditioning.Respondent conditioning and conditioned reflexive responses explain why a dog begins to salivate when its owner begins the feeding ritual.The understanding of this type of conditioning can enhance a trainer's procedure.Most training procedures are indeed built upon the principles of operant conditioning, which will be discussed in greater depth in a later part of this chapter.Respondent conditioning on the other hand is most useful when trying to change a dog's behavior.Some examples might be habituation, counter-conditioning, systematic desensitization, and flooding.These principles will also be discussed later in this chapter.
Edward Lee Thorndike (1874-1949) studied the effect different consequences have on behaviors.Thorndike is known for the Law of Effect, which simply states that responses or behaviors that produce pleasant rewards are likely to increase in frequency.This law is the foundation on which operant conditioning is built, and is the predecessor of all the "treat training" now being advocated in modern dog training.Thorndike's experiments were being conducted in the United States near the time that Pavlov's dogs were salivating in Russia.
J.B. Watson (1878-1958) has been credited as the father of modern behaviorism.A psychologist who worked at John Hopkins University, as well as, The University of Chicago, Watson emphasized the need to move the study of behavior away from the concentration on thoughts and feelings towards a more scientific, experimental study of behavior.Watson is best known for his "Little Albert" study in which he and his colleague, R. Rayner, conditioned a fear reaction in an eleven-month-old boy named Albert.The study went like this:
"Initially, Albert was allowed to play freely with a white rat.Then, a loud noise was presented whenever Albert reached out and touched the rat.The noise was loud enough to startle Albert.In one week, whenever the rat was presented Albert would cry, even without the noise.He also generalized his fear to other things, including a dog, a rabbit, and a Santa Claus mask.Watson used respondent conditioning (in this case, the startle reflex) to modify Albert's behavior." [i]
Skinner, Keller, and Schoenfeld
B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) continued the work that Thorndike started.He was the leading advocate of a more modern version of Thorndike's Law of Effect, which states, "The frequency of a behavior increases or decreases according to the result it [the behavior] produces." [ii]
When Skinner was pursuing his doctorate at Harvard University he discovered that he could methodically change the behavior of lab rats by rewarding them with food.This study proceeded in the following stages:
"First, the rat was rewarded simply for facing the correct end of the cage.Next, the rat was rewarded only when it stood next to the lever.Later stages delayed the reward until the rat touched the lever with its body.Eventually the rat learned it had to press the lever to receive a pellet of food." [iii]
Skinner's viewpoints were unique in that he felt the proper study of behavior should be limited to "observable events" of behavior, and instead of how the subject might think.He consistently argued against making interpretations based on events that could not be observed.Skinner did not discuss intervening variables, such as hunger or thirst, when interpreting behavioral learning.
In 1938, B.F. Skinner published The Behavior of Organisms (New York: D. Appleton-Century Co.).Many consider this milestone work the leading authority on the science of operant conditioning.Today many dog trainers are using clickers for training canines; clickers are conditioned reinforcers that have been used by conditioning experts since the 1940's.Skinner wrote about clickers, which he called "crickets", in a paper called How to Teach Animals in 1951.
While on the faculty of the University of Minnesota, Skinner's study of operant conditioning principles was expanded to include pigeons.He was studying a phenomenon known as extinction when it occurred to him to ask himself, are theories of learning necessary?As previously discussed Skinner felt the study of behavior should be limited to events that were observable and measurable.Skinner maintained that the science of behavior should actually deal with behavior in its relation to variables that could be systematically manipulated.
Skinner was a leading advocate of Expectancy Theory; it was his contention that learning theory was in reality nothing more that expectancy.He wrote, "When we assert that an animal acts in a given way because it expects to receive food [or any reinforcers], then what began as the task of accounting for a learned behavior becomes the task of accounting for expectancy." [iv] Skinner is also partially credited for moving the science of operant conditioning beyond the lab, and towards a viable technology for changing behavior.
Fred S. Keller (1899-1966) is well known for his work on a teaching method known as Personalized System of Instruction (PSI).Keller was a classmate, and lifelong friend of B. F. Skinner. While it is true that Skinner ultimately wound up on the faculty at Harvard, where as Keller taught at Columbia, they remained colleagues throughout their lives.
In 1947, Fred Keller teamed up with William Schoenfeld (1915-1996) at Columbia University and began to teach the first college psychology course employing Skinner's methods.Undergraduate students taught rats to respond to stimuli in order to obtain reinforcement.Keller and Schoenfeld published the first text in the emerging field of operant conditioning in 1950 entitled Principles of Psychology.
Breland and Bailey
In 1938, Marian Kruse, a research assistant, was bitten by one of B. F. Skinner's lab rats.On her way to receive medical attention Kruse met Keller Breland, a brilliant and ambitious graduate student in psychology. A professional and personal relationship developed and they were married in 1941; the same year the United States was going to war.
B. F. Skinner was convinced that the science of operant conditioning could be used to effectively help the war effort.Skinner's prior experience with the behavior of pigeons was invaluable to Project Pelican.Keller and Marian Breland trained pigeons to guide bombs for the Navy; fittingly these bombs were called "pelicans".Project Pelican was disbanded in 1943, but Marian Breland carried on by training animals for commercials and animal shows.
The Brelands published Applied Animal Psychology in 1951.This paper described how operant conditioning could be used to teach animals.They are credited by many for ushering in the commercial application of the science of operant conditioning.
With stories in The Wall Street Journal, Time, and even Life; the Brelands were obviously quite popular.With this popularity, Marine Studios in Florida noticed the Brelands and worked with them to develop a dolphin act.The development of this same act led to the publication of the first procedural training manual for dolphin trainers.Operant conditioning and conditioned reinforcers played an enormous role in the training procedures of dolphins due to the distance that the trainer is removed from the subject.
The Brelands' involvement with dolphins brought them, and their teaching methods, to the attention of the Navy yet again.A zoologist from the University of California by the name of Bob Bailey headed up the Navy's Dolphins at Sea program.In 1965 Bailey drew on the extensive experience of the Brelands in respect to the behavior of pigeons. In this with respect, in developing an ambush detection system for the Army.In the same year Keller Breland passed away.Bob Bailey and Marian Breland continued the work that the three of them had started. They were eventually married in 1976.
Bob Bailey also developed the concept of a bridging stimulus, which is a method of using a "bridge of time" between the subject animals' correct response and the delivery of a primary reinforcer.
The value of the contribution that these individuals made to the advancement of learning theory is without measure and cannot be understated.Because of their redundant work the understanding of learning has made important advancements throughout the years. If you would like to read my doctorate dissertation: Chasing the Dream: A History of Human-Canine Communication in the Sport of Dog Sledding in its entirety it can be purchased as a .pdf from for $19.10 please send me an email at train@denverdogworks.com and I will arrange it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[i] Burch, M., Ph.D., and Bailey, J. S., Ph.D ., How Dogs Learn. Howell Book House,1999, Pg. 5.
[ii] Plonsky, M., Ph.D., " How Dogs Learn," Thomson Education Direct, Scranton, PA, 2001, Pg. 36.
[iii] Plonsky, M., Ph.D., " How Dogs Learn," Thomson Education Direct, Scranton, PA, 2001, Pg. 36. Pg. 37
[iv] Skinner, B.F., Are Theories of Learning Necessary?, (1950), Web Document: "Classics in the History of Psychology" by Christopher D. Green, http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Skinner/Theories.
_______________________________
Dr. Robert Forto is the training director for Denver Dog Works and the Ineka Project in Colorado. Dr. Forto hosts a weekly program, The Dog Doctor Radio Show every Saturday. Dr. Forto can be reached through his website at http://www.denverdogworks.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
