Canine Search Specialist Training Unit 2: Canine Behavior and Drive

Unit Objective Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to describe the basic aspects of canine communication, behavior, and drive

Enabling Objectives Explain how handlers and canines communicate Describe common canine signals Identify the factors that influence behavior Describe basic learning principles Identify and describe canine drives Describe how to apply canine drives to search training

Canine Communication

Canine Communication Instinctual Learned

Instinctual Posture Facial expression Breathing Focus Intention

Learned Training Play Life experience

Myths and miscommunication “Clever Hans” Learned

Miscommunication “The guilty look” “He’s mad at me!” “He knows this!” “He’s ignoring me”

What are they thinking? Body Language

Dominance Signals associated with dominance Grabbing muzzles Pinning head and neck Chin on neck and /or back Body slamming Direct stare Vertical retraction of lips Tail straight up in the air

Submission Submissive signals Avert gaze Lower head and neck Lower tail Approach with “C” shape Submission grin Ears back

Play Exaggerated looking away Paw raising Play grin Nibble greeting Nose pushing Panting or play face

Fear Behaviors associated with fear Shivering or shaking Salivating Tail tucked Immobility

Fear! Aggressive Submissive

Aggression Ears forward Direct eye contact Forward lean Tail high Lips retracted Low growl

Signs of Conflict Panting Yawning Submissive signals

Conflict (continued) Displacement behaviors Eating grass Sniffing grass Grooming Scratching Play behaviors

Conflict (continued) Ambivalent behaviors Looking away Turning back on you Sitting down Marking

Behavior

Behavior Factors that influence behavior Genetics Internal stimuli External stimuli

Genetically Proven Breeds

Internal Stimuli Drives

External Stimuli Training Experience Environment

The TRUTH About Dogs

The TRUTH about Dogs Dogs Are amoral Live in the present Are completely self interested Will always do what they consider to be in their best interest at the time

More … Dogs Will repeat what works for them Are constantly monitoring our movement for an opportunity to get something for themselves Learn through Operant and Classical conditioning

Learning Principles

Kinds of Learning Experience + Repetition Observational = watching Classical conditioning = reflexive Operant conditioning = shaping

Classical Conditioning A specific type of learning which connects a stimulus with an unconditioned response (REFLEX) “Conditioned” means “ learned”

Operant Conditioning A specific type of learning where offered behaviors are encouraged or discouraged by their consequences

Operant Conditioning (continued) Add reinforcement to increase behavior Add punishment to decrease behavior The reward or punishment must be immediate to the behavior

Operant Conditioning (continued) Behaviors that are not reinforced will extinguish themselves over time Do not take long-established behavior for granted

Generalization Under-utilized technique Unrecognized pitfall

Generalization (continued)

Problem Solving 101 Has the dog LEARNED the command? Has the trainer supplied adequate MOTIVATION (reward)? Is there a strong history (FOUNDATION) of rewarded responses to the command? Has the dog GENERALIZED the behavior in this context?

Problem Solving 101 (continued) Did you PROOF against distractions (dogs, cats, noise, activity)? Did you PROOF against competing motivations (drives-food, pack, prey)?

BREAK

Instinct and Drive

Instinct A canine’s innate response to certain stimuli, independent of any thought process May or may not produce the desired behaviors Those that have application to search need to be developed and strengthened

Drive The STRENGTH of this predisposition = DRIVE Some canines have predispositions towards certain instincts The STRENGTH of this predisposition = DRIVE

It is important to remember that hyperactivity does not equal drive

Types of Drive Food Prey Hunt Pack Defense

Benefits of Drive Use of drive in regular training exercises will Improve physical conditioning Increase intensity and concentration Improve focus and attitude

Food Drive A canine’s desire to persist in getting food, is not always related to hunger or biological need for food

Food Drive (continued) One of the easiest drives to build Rewards can be given while the canine is in the correct position Canines can be rewarded without having to break position Most effective way to control high prey driven canines

Prey Drive Canine’s intensity in chasing Catching Biting Carrying a prey object

Prey Drive (continued) Can be developed into play Can be incorporated into each training session Builds stamina and physical conditioning

Prey Drive Will increase canine’s motivation Increases concentration Stress reducer

Hunt Drive Fundamental to search success Innate desire to hunt with nose Does not require visual cues Very rewarding to dog Reduces need for external motivation

Pack Drive Canine’s desire to work within framework of the pack

Pack Drive Needed to maintain working relationship with handler The canine needs to view handler as the working partner

Defense Drive Canine’s response to protect itself from a perceived threat

Defense Drive This behavior is detrimental to search work because it produces Avoidance Aggression Insecurities Unsociability (sharpness)

REWARD SYSTEMS = Prey Key

Prey Key A reward that the canine is obsessed with (toy, food)

Advantages of Using Prey Key Gives canine a motivating focal point Moderate or control other behaviors Gives options to difficult training problems Allows corrections without seriously affecting the canine’s positive attitude

Building Drive

Building Drive Frustration Opposition reflex Animation Isolation Deprivation End session while canine still wants more

Frustration and Opposition Reflex

Animation

Isolation

Deprivation Clink-Clink

End session with canine wanting more

Troubleshooting Distractibility Low drive Boldness Sensitivity Focus Agility

Errorless Learning Teach in small increments Anticipate errors and prevent them Change only one variable at a time Provide adequate motivation Generalize behavior

Unit Summary and Evaluation

Unit Summary Explain how handlers and canines communicate Describe common canine signals Identify the factors that influence behavior Describe basic learning principles Identify and describe canine drives Describe how to apply canine drives to search training

Unit Evaluation Please fill out the evaluation on this unit