Dog Training - Is Your Dog in an Operatant Model?

An operant model is an if then statement that the dog can recognize. If you sit, then I give you a cookie. It's operant. What happens? The dog likes the cookie and finds the cookie reinforcing, the dog sits more often. You need to get out of the operant model. You're in a model which where classical conditioning is going to rule the day. Dog's behavior is driven by their emotional reactions,. Their anxiety, their fear, their anger, their relief that you're home.