Mark Plonsky, a retired professor and K9 behavior consultant, dives into the nuances of dog training with Ivan Balabanov, a world champion dog trainer. They discuss the evolution of training methods, highlighting the importance of emotional factors and humane techniques. Plonsky shares fascinating insights from his innovative experiments, including training rats to play basketball. The conversation also tackles the ethical implications of various training methodologies, aiming for a balance that promotes dog welfare while improving communication.
Dr. Mark Plonsky emphasizes the often overlooked importance of classical conditioning in dog training, highlighting its influence on behavior through emotional responses.
The podcast discusses the ethical use of punishment in dog training, underscoring the balance between reinforcement and discipline to prevent behavior issues.
Mark shares research insights demonstrating how biological factors can drive behavior in animals, challenging traditional reinforcement theories and promoting a scientific approach to training.
Deep dives
Introduction to Mark Plonsky and His Background
Mark Plonsky is introduced as a retired professor emeritus of Experimental Biopsychology from the University of Wisconsin and an early pioneer in dog training with his notable website, Dr. Peace. His transition into canine consulting showcases his expertise in addressing various dog-related issues, from behavioral problems to competition preparation. The podcast hosts express their long-standing professional camaraderie, emphasizing the depth of their discussions frequently revolving around scientific principles in dog training. Mark's wealth of experience enables him to provide insights that are both practical and research-based, making his contributions highly valuable to the dog training community.
The Significance of Classical Conditioning in Dog Training
Mark discusses the often-overlooked role of classical conditioning in dog training, contrasting it with the more dominant focus on operant conditioning. He highlights that classical conditioning is about understanding cues and predictions, which can significantly influence a dog's behavior during training. By explaining how certain stimuli (like sounds) can predict outcomes (like food), he emphasizes the importance of emotional responses in training. Mark argues that emotion and anticipation can severely impact a dog's motivation and performance, thus underscoring the need for trainers to grasp classical conditioning principles.
Misconceptions Around Punishment in Dog Training
The conversation delves into the negative connotations associated with punishment in dog training, where Mark advocates for its appropriate and ethical use. He argues that a balance of reinforcement and punishment can be crucial for effective training, stating that ignoring the need for discipline can lead to behavior issues. Both hosts share concerns about the purely positive training movement, suggesting it can result in trainers overlooking the emotions and needs of the dogs they work with. They stress the importance of understanding when and how to apply aversive stimuli, maintaining that when done humanely and correctly, it can yield positive outcomes.
Lessons from Animal Behavior Studies
Mark shares intriguing insights from his research on animal behavior, particularly the unexpected findings related to excessive drinking in rats. His experiments demonstrated how biological factors can heavily influence behavior, challenging prior theories that solely credited reinforcement schedules. Mark refers to the work of John Stadden, who contradicted B.F. Skinner's ideas on the nature of behavior reinforcement, revealing complexities that extend beyond simple reward mechanisms. This underscores the importance of incorporating a scientific perspective into dog training practices to better understand the underlying motivations of canine behavior.
The Future of Dog Training Methodologies
As the discussion progresses, both guests express concern over the future direction of dog training methodologies, particularly with trends towards banning aversive tools. They emphasize that empirical research and practical experiences should guide training techniques rather than emotional biases or political correctness. Mark shares optimistic views about ongoing dog training practices despite these challenges, asserting that effective methods will persist in professional realms such as military and service dog training. They call for open conversations and education on proper training techniques to ensure the well-being of dogs and the effectiveness of training.
In this episode, Ivan Balabanov has a conversation with good friend Dr. Mark Plonsky.
Retired Professor Emeritus of Experimental Biopsychology (University of Wisconsin)
Ph.D Experimental Biopsychology, 1984 (University of Albany)
M.A. General Psychology, 1980 (State University of New York at New Paltz)
At the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Plonsky taught important courses on Canine Behavior, the Psychology of Learning, and the Psychology of Motivation and Emotion. He currently operates as a K9 Behavior Consultant and has had a long history of working with many different types of animals from laboratory rats to stumptailed macaques in his studies.
In addition to his studies, Mark has been involved in dog sports ranging from AKC Obedience, Noseworks, AKC Agility, and Schutzhund/IGP as well as handling a dog that co-starred in the film “Nonames” (2010).
Ivan Balabanov is a 2-time World Champion dog trainer, Belgian Malinois breeder, and founder of the revolutionary Training Without Conflict dog training system.
For more information about Ivan Balabanov and information on how to train your dog using the Training Without Conflict™ system, check out: www.trainingwithoutconflict.com
For information about the TWC Certfication Program: www.twccertification.com
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