Every year I learn more from research, colleagues, and my clients and their dogs as I apply these principles and observe their effects. I want to share what I've learned. I want to share the science that makes a difference in the lives of my clients and their dogs with the millions of dog lovers who want that newfound healthy relationship, too.

CHAPTER TWO

Learning

In any relationship, both parties bring their past experiences to the table. No one—including your dog—is immune to baggage and habits from years gone by. Every individual is shaped, profoundly and often unconsciously, by what he or she has learned in life. Moments become memories, and memories become ideas. Certain actions pay off and become useful strategies that, over time, become habitual responses. Life provides a million opportunities for some kind of take-home message for your dog.

What will the message of the moment be for your dog? Is it that first monumental discovery that the appearance of the leash may mean a walk is coming? When you sit down at your computer, does that indicate a great opportunity to eat cat poop out of the litterbox? Maybe a mental note that small children are grabby and have little regard for personal space? The possibility that biting your pant legs when you walk through the house is the best way to get you to throw the ball for her? That little fuzzy, doe-eyed cutie at your feet is a whole lot smarter than you may be giving her credit for. Her memory is remarkable, and she is taking notes 24-7.

Since learning arguably provides the greatest window of opportunity for change and adjustment in your dog’s behavior, it is important that you understand how your dog learns on a practical, day-to-day level. In this chapter, you will be introduced to this critically important element of your canine partner’s behavior. You will learn to recognize your part in shaping her adorable little rituals as well as those irritating cycles of misbehavior. This will prevent you from projecting false motives onto her and becoming unnecessarily resentful about her sock stealing and kid chasing. You will see how events can take on strong meanings for your dog, however random her associations may seem (people wearing white coats don’t necessarily have sharp objects in their pockets just because the vet does; and the sound of the cupboard door opening doesn’t always mean she gets a treat).

Dog Learning vs. Dog Training

If I had a dollar for every time a wife sarcastically asked me if I could also train her husband at the same time as their dog, I would be a very rich woman. The thought of taking someone who is driving us crazy to be “trained” and getting them back as a cooperative, pleasant replacement who no longer exhibits those annoying behaviors is appealing indeed.