mrv
Posted : 1/18/2007 7:31:55 AM
It is absolutely possible to classically condition something. It has happened accidentally with two different collars with my dogs. (really more operant) My last dobe bitch was a real challenge in training.... Sweet as can be but a real "cement head" on occassion. I had hurt my back and needed a safe way to walk her. I opted for a halter (promise brand). She HATED it. Fought it for a number of minutes. Luckily, she was incredibly good motivated. Out came the liver. In two weeks, the halter comes out she would run and stick her head it in. Same dog second example, same strategy-liver. It took 7 folks in the vets office to do her toe nails. In six weeks using a densensitization method, she was running to the floor and putting all four feet in the air for the dremel.
The current terv was often pulling severely on his collar that I worried about trach damage, switched to a prong, he finds a link on the floor and dances around because he associates it with a walk.
The principles of ABA or classical conditioning work provided one pays attention to the antecedent, the behavior and the consequence, AND observes the impact on behavior.