Can Training Impact Our Dog's View of the World?

Hello, welcome back and a Happy New Year from me.

It’s pretty awe-inspiring when we consider how many facets of our human world dogs occupy. From working the fields, to sniffing out cancer, hunting down criminals, providing support in hospitals and schools, fighting on the front line, and - of course - snoozing on our sofas.

The important roles that dogs perform - both in work and as companions - all require some level of training. Training to be able to perform tasks, to stay safe, or to simply have fun.

Training also allows our dogs the opportunity to develop social skills which can improve their relationships with the humans they live with. Teaching our dogs new cued behaviours can help them to learn and grow various skill sets from basic focus, to impulse control, to physical strengthening exercises. 

But have you thought about how the process of training your dog might boost their mood or even change how they view the world?

Most domesticated dogs have little outlet for natural breed trait behaviours such as digging, retrieving, herding, or using their nose. We can tailor our training exercises to be able to provide that outlet, providing stimulation that can help your dog feel fulfilled as an individual.

Regular training sessions can also allow you to get to know - and understand - your dog better. What works to motivate them, their likes and dislikes, their personality traits, and the subtle body language cues they display. We can use these insights to tailor their environment or experiences to help them have a well-rounded and happy life.

A 2020 study from the Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular looked at how dogs respond to different methods of training. They observed both positive (using food and toy rewards) and aversive (using punishment such as shouting and lead corrections) methods. An interesting outcome was that this study not only found that the dogs trained with aversive methods “spent more time in tense and low behavioral states and more time panting during the training sessions” and “showed higher elevations in cortisol levels [the stress hormone] after training” but that they were also presented as more ‘pessimistic’ in a cognitive bias task. As the study states, “these findings indicate that the use of aversive-based methods compromises the welfare of companion dogs in both the short- and the long-term.”

So, to answer my earlier question, training - or in particular, the way we train - can actually impact our dogs’ outlook on life, their view of the world. How amazing is that?

Training opens up a new dialogue between you and your dog, building on your connection.

So, what are you going to train today? 

Until next time, happy training!

Caroline

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