What are the four stages of learning?
Dogs need 3-6 months of repetition and reinforcement to establish a behavior in their long term memory.
Acquisition- showing Show the dog what you want it to do. Praise/reinforce wanted behavior - no corrections during this phase. Repetition (frequency) When dog starts to anticipate you know he is beginning to understand.
Automatic - fluency
Give the dog an opportunity to show you what you have taught him.
Wean off physical cues
Transition food from luring to rewarding behavior
+- 80% move to next stage
Application - generalize
Take the show on the road
Introduce distractions
Dog learns he has a responsibility to perform commands.
Always - maintenance
Dog is polished and consistent.
Long term intermittent reinforcement.
What are three things a dog needs in order for it to learn.
The big three
Timing - 1.3 seconds
(To associate a cause with an effect).
Longer than that creates confusion.
Dogs live in the moment/think in the present.
Consistency - a rule is a rule. Black and white.
Dog feels safe and learns trust.
Motivation- dogs will do what is in their best interest.
- praise and corrections must be motivational for the dog
Puppy stages
First year is the most important as puppies rapidly move through stages of development.
Puppies require regular socialization to meet physical and mental needs for the first 3-4 years
Neonatal
0-2 weeks
Dependent on and influenced by mother
Transitional period
2-4 weeks
Influenced by mother and litter mates
- gains use of all senses
- mobile, wags, vocalizes
1st socialization period
3-6 weeks
- needs neurological stimulation, complex environment, careful socialization
- learns how to be a dog (litter mates)
- becomes aware of surroundings
- develops curiosity. Explores
- practices body postures and what they mean
- bite inhibition
2nd socialization
6-16 weeks
- most critical phase where rapid learning takes place.
- learning has lasting impact and is resistant to change.
- social ranking
- bite inhibition
- physical coordination
- exploration
- focus on people
- 7-8 weeks best time for puppies to be placed with their new families.
- owners must immediately provide proper socialization and training.
Fear impact period
8-11 weeks
Scary experiences likely to have a lasting impact.
May become alarmed by normal objects and experiences.
Ranking period
12-16 weeks
- begins to challenge authority (with dogs and humans)
- establishes leadership
- chewing (teething)
- no biting allowed!
Juvenile period
4-6 months
- increase in energy
- mouthing resurfaces(getting adult teeth)
- independence
- second fear period
- best time to spay or neuter
Adolescent period
6-12 months
Most difficult time for puppies if they missed earlier milestones.
Sexual maturity
5-18 months.
Sooner with smaller dogs
Social maturity
18mo-3yrs Extremely important to reinforce all parts of development - training - socialization - mental stimulation - physical exercise - communication
Imprinting period for puppies
6-16 weeks
Game of 7’s
Flooring Feeding (location) Toys People Location Dogs
Dominance/hierarchy reversal
- give dog clarity in the relationship
- remove privileges they had before
- limit freedom in the house
- NILF - nothing in life is free
- limit sleeping areas
- prepare food but feed last
- start a game and you end it
- be in control of all doorways
- limit access to socially significant areas
- occupy space of your choice
- obedience work
- increase physical and mental stimulation.
Common types of aggression (motivators for aggression)
Predatory Fear Frustration Protection Punishment Territorial Rank/social Bully Redirected
Complete predatory sequence?
Sight stalk chase grab-bite kill-bite dissect consume
Dog breeds bred to exhibit predatory drive
Sight hounds- excel in chase
Scent hounds - perusing scent trail
Pointers - stalking and flushing out prey
Herding - chasers and stalkers.
Terriers - capture and kill vermin
Predatory aggression
Dog does not threaten
- no warning signals
- some may bark or whine excitedly during chase.
- silent or high pitched
- dog is having fun
Most common type of aggression?
Barrier or leash frustration
- you can’t always get what you want
Service dog selection
Temperament
- startle recovery (immediate)
- social/independent (middle. Okay with people but not people oriented
- play/prey drive (moderate - retrieve items)
- secure/insecure (secure in new situations but not dominant)
- not touch sensitive.
Health
Aggression
Match-making
- energy level
- size
- companionship
Working dogs
What three drives are needed?
Prey- chase something
Defense- protection, k9, police. Dog senses threat and decides to do something about it
Hunt - drive to find item even if it’s out of sight.
When to test defense drive and why?
18mo - 3 years
Drives develop as puppy matures.
