Dogs Think In Patterns
Welcome back to Trainer Testimonies! This time we are exploring an aspect of the canine mind that I personally find endlessly interesting: their knack for patterns. Both humans and dogs rely on routines and patterns to go about their day but once you start seeing it you’ll start to notice just how much your dog might be relying on pattern recognition over true understanding. We can use this trait to our advantage or it can be an endless battle to break bad habits, lets explore!
The Power of Patterns:
Most people who have done some internet research know that dogs thrive on predictability and structure. They seem to have an internal clock that dictates their day in incredible detail, they know what you do first thing in the morning, and they probably know your daily walk better than you do.
In the wild, this skill keeps them alive and is clearly incredibly refined. Steering this incredible pattern recognition is one reason why dogs play this role in our lives, they adapt and learn how to live with us incredibly well. Simple obedience training relies on this. We consistently reward a behaviour, the dog realizes that repeating this action earns them that reward so they do it again. Pattern recognized.
The Flip Side:
However, patterns can also work against us. If we aren’t careful we can easily create bad habits. If your dog learns that barking at you will get your attention, they’ll keep barking. Even when you try and break that habit the pattern is so ingrained in them that they stick to it until they get their way or they are convinced the pattern has shifted.
In obedience training I see accidental patterns all the time. My favourite is when clients teaching their dog to lie down. They will say “sit” then “down”, over and over and over. Then I will challenge them, “Get them to lie down without saying sit”, in theory the dog knows how to lie down, this should be no issue. In reality this new world is upside down! Without the pattern of “sit, down” the dog doesn’t have a clue what you want from them, this isn’t the pattern they learned so they are truly confused.
Breaking the Mold:
Most people will have experienced this one. You finish training in your living room, your dog is nailing it, homerun after homerun. So you decide to take them to the park to practice, and it’s like you’re back at square one! By now you get the idea, that this is not the same pattern as before, they don’t understand. Often this gets reduced to the dog being stubborn or distracted, and maybe they are, but before I blame those, I’ll make sure the dog understands that the living room is not part of the pattern.
I will change the location, I’ll practice with my body turned away from them, I’ll practice in Heel and in Front, and I’ll give them a command while I clap my hands. I’ll do whatever I can to mess with the pattern until the dog truly understands that the only pattern here is “I say the command, you do the command, then I make it worth your while”.
What I want you do get from this post is a deeper understanding of how your friend views the world. They are always looking for patterns, routines, and sure things. Be intentional with what you are teaching, understand when they don’t understand, and watch what patterns you are accidentally showing your dog. Shift the variables so that you are teaching exactly what you want them to know
Stay tuned to Trainer Testimonies for more insights into the captivating world of dog training and behaviour.
