How to train a human

Classical Conditioning

How It works with dogs and humans.

Classical conditioning started in the late 1800s with Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist who was studying digestion in dogs. He noticed something odd: the dogs started drooling before the food arrived — just from hearing the lab assistant’s footsteps.

This accidental discovery became one of the most important foundations of modern behaviour science.

What is Classical Conditioning?

It’s when two things become linked in the brain. Learning by association.

Something neutral → becomes meaningful - because it reliably predicts something important - and the body responds automatically

When you pick up a lead (neutral) – to your dog it means they are going out (important) – and their body starts wiggling from head to toe with excitement.

Picking up the food bowl (neutral) – anticipating being fed (very important) – drooling

These responses are not a thought process. They are learnt responses over time with routine and predictability.

A dog hears the treat jar open and then receives a tasty snack, they quickly learn that the sound predicts something good and become excited. This can create desirable behaviours, such as happily coming when called because good things usually follow.

Classical conditioning, or learning by association, happens when dogs connect one thing with another through repeated experiences.

On the flip side dogs can also learn undesirable associations. A dog that is accidentally frightened by a loud noise while meeting a stranger may start to associate strangers with feeling unsafe and frightened as opposed to the noise

Interestingly, dogs also become very skilled at "training" their owners.

If a dog nudges for attention and the owner immediately pats them, the dog learns that nudging works.

If a dog stares at the treat cupboard and the owner gives in, the staring behaviour gets stronger.

Often owners do not even realize they are being trained or conditioned by the dog. While the dog is learning that certain behaviours get rewards, the owner is learning that responding quickly stops the nudging, barking, or pleading eyes. Over time, both dog and owner are constantly teaching each other through everyday associations and experiences.

In simple terms: dogs are always learning what works, what predicts good things, and what predicts unpleasant things. At the same time, owners are often unknowingly learning how to respond to their dog's clever requests! 🐾

Let me know how your dog has trained you.