Emotion-Driven Behavior in Dog Training: Can You Reward It?
Rewarding desired behaviors is a cornerstone of successful dog training. A commonly repeated catchphrase is, “What gets reinforced gets repeated.” While this concept is valuable and holds true in many training scenarios, the realm of behavior modification is not that neat and tidy—especially when strong emotions are at play.
In reality, the commonly accepted "golden rule" of rewarding desired behaviors can sometimes be turned on its head when dogs experience intense fear, anxiety, or overexcitement. In this blog post, we will delve into the reasons behind this puzzling rule reversal and provide strategies for effectively managing explosive emotions and reactive episodes in dogs.
Strong Emotions & Arousal
Arousal plays a pivotal role in how dogs absorb and process information. In the context of learning and psychology, arousal refers to a state of physiological and psychological readiness or alertness. It essentially represents the level of interest and engagement a dog experiences when confronted with a particular stimulus, task, or situation.
Arousal manifests across a spectrum ranging from low to high. When arousal is low it may look like disinterest, boredom, or a dog’s preference for a good sniff over your training plan. Conversely, high-arousal can look like the fight-flight response, often leading to reactive behaviors such as barking, lunging, whining, or snarling in dogs.
It’s crucial to note that arousal can be influenced by positive, negative, or even conflicting emotions. What matters most is the intensity or strength of these emotions. For instance, a dog that’s overly excited to visit the neighbor but is frustrated by your slow pace can just as easily exhibit reactivity as a dog that’s terrified of the same neighbor.
How Arousal Impacts Learning
The effects of arousal on learning are both intriguing and complex. According to the Yerkes-Dodson Law, there's an optimal level of arousal that enhances learning and performance, but exceeding this level can result in a decline in performance. In dog training, this over-aroused state is referred to as being “over threshold.”
When a dog experiences strong emotions, especially those prone to reactivity, they frequently exceed this ideal level of arousal for effective learning and performance. This heightened emotional state essentially shuts down the thinking part of the brain, specifically the prefrontal cortex, which is typically responsible for self-control, decision-making, and responding to trained cues.
Furthermore, the surge of strong emotion, coupled with heightened arousal, triggers the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in the release of stress-related hormones throughout the dog’s body. With continued exposure to the triggering stimulus, it becomes increasingly difficult for the dog to think clearly, respond to basic cues, or regain composure from this highly aroused state.
Once a dog crosses over their threshold and enters this intense state of arousal, it becomes nearly impossible to reward behaviors driven by extreme emotions, such as fear, anxiety, or aggression. This is because the part of the brain responsible for rational thinking is offline, while the survival-oriented part of the brain are in overdrive. Rather than using rewards like food, toys, praise, and affection for learning, these rewards now serve to support the regulation of the dog’s nervous system. This regulation is vital, because we need the thinking part of the brain to come back online as quickly as possible for the dog to recover from the aroused state and resume training-as-usual.
Practical Next Steps
What do we do when our dog has reached a level of arousal where they are essentially unteachable?
Prioritize Safety. If the trigger, whether it’s a person, animal, or environmental factor, is too close, too loud, or too intense, it’s time to relocate. Ideally, you can use high-value treats or a cherished toy to lure your dog away from the trigger. However, if redirection isn’t possible, gently but firmly guide your dog away. Aways be cautious of redirected aggression, which can occur when your dog, deep in their fight-flight response, inadvertently snaps or bites at you.
Provide Comfort and Regulation: Once you've moved to a safer place, focus on helping your dog regulate their nervous system. Bust out those high-value snacks and toys. Assure your dog that everything will be okay and offer affection. Remember that your dog is going through a really tough time, and your support can help them return to a calmer state.
Reflect and Plan: After the incident has passed, take time to review where things went wrong and prepare better for next time. Consider what factors triggered your dog's intense arousal and explore strategies to avoid or effectively manage similar situations in the future. Remember to be gentle with yourself throughout this process, because you’re also learning and adapting!
By following these steps, you can ensure the safety and well-being of your dog while also helping them recover from an over-aroused state.
Final Words
By understanding the role of arousal in the learning process and appreciating the close link between arousal and intense emotional states, we can become adept at distinguishing between moments conducive to learning and situations where training should be temporarily set aside in favor of prioritizing emotional support and safety for our dogs. This skill empowers us to provide the appropriate guidance and care for our dogs, ensuring their well-being and progress.