{"id":1319,"date":"2025-06-17T12:31:46","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T12:31:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/?p=1319"},"modified":"2025-06-17T12:55:38","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T12:55:38","slug":"pavlov-et-skinner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/dressage-et-education\/pavlov-et-skinner\/","title":{"rendered":"Skinner and Pavlov in modern dressage"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Canine Conditioning and Training: A Reflection on the Mechanisms of Education<\/h2>\n<p>In the world of dog training, we often discuss methods, tools, rewards, and reinforcements. But we sometimes forget to revisit the basic psychological mechanisms that govern a dog&#039;s learning. In particular, two fundamental types of conditioning deserve to be distinguished: classical (or Pavlovian) conditioning and operant (or Skinnerian) conditioning.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Page contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/dressage-et-education\/pavlov-et-skinner\/#Le_conditionnement_classique_Pavlov\" >Classical conditioning (Pavlov)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/dressage-et-education\/pavlov-et-skinner\/#Le_conditionnement_operant_Skinner\" >Operant conditioning (Skinner)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/dressage-et-education\/pavlov-et-skinner\/#Le_risque_dune_relation_%C2%AB_transactionnelle_%C2%BB\" >The risk of a \u201ctransactional\u201d relationship<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/dressage-et-education\/pavlov-et-skinner\/#Une_piste_dequilibre\" >A balance track<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Le_conditionnement_classique_Pavlov\"><\/span>Classical conditioning (<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ivan_Pavlov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pavlov<\/a><\/span>)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Discovered by Ivan Pavlov, this type of conditioning relies on the unconscious association between a neutral stimulus and an emotional or physiological response. The famous example of Pavlov&#039;s dogs salivating at the bell perfectly illustrates this mechanism: the bell, repeatedly paired with the presentation of food, eventually triggers salivation on its own.<\/p>\n<p>In dogs, we use this mechanism constantly without even realizing it. A soft tone of voice, a caress, or a smile from the owner, repeated frequently, can become powerful reinforcers because they are associated with a feeling of well-being. This is not a voluntary action by the dog to obtain something; it is an emotional response to a situation perceived as pleasant.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Le_conditionnement_operant_Skinner\"><\/span>Operant conditioning (<span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Burrhus_Frederic_Skinner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Skinner<\/a><\/span>)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>B.F. Skinner described another type of learning: operant conditioning. Here, the animal acts voluntarily to obtain a reward (or avoid punishment). This is the system of positive reinforcements (treats, toys, biting games) and negative reinforcements (removal of unpleasant pressure).<\/p>\n<p>Today, the majority of modern training methods rely heavily on this operant conditioning. The dog is taught to &quot;work&quot; to obtain an external reward: its ball, its food, its sausage, its biting game. These methods work very well technically, and allow for complex and precise behaviors to be achieved.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Le_risque_dune_relation_%C2%AB_transactionnelle_%C2%BB\"><\/span><strong>The risk of a \u201ctransactional\u201d relationship<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1321\" src=\"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/file_00000000084061f5a8e621cf85eb38fd-300x300.png\" alt=\"Skinner et Pavlov dans le dressage moderne\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/file_00000000084061f5a8e621cf85eb38fd-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/file_00000000084061f5a8e621cf85eb38fd-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/file_00000000084061f5a8e621cf85eb38fd-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/file_00000000084061f5a8e621cf85eb38fd-12x12.png 12w, https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/file_00000000084061f5a8e621cf85eb38fd.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>However, this highly effective approach has a limitation: the risk of focusing all of the dog&#039;s motivation on the reward object, and not on the relationship with the owner. The dog executes the command to get its ball, not for the pleasure of pleasing its owner.<\/p>\n<p>Now, the dog, as a social animal, descends from a pack animal whose cooperation with the group is a fundamental need.<\/p>\n<p>Used well, Pavlovian conditioning can powerfully reinforce this emotional and social dimension.<\/p>\n<p>A petting, or even an approving look combined with a warm tone of voice, can trigger the release of oxytocin and endorphins in dogs\u2014the hormones of social pleasure and bonding.<\/p>\n<p>The dog then learns that the simple fact of satisfying its master is, in itself, a source of pleasure, even a pleasure greater than that of an external reward (ball, sausage, treat, etc.).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1320\" src=\"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/file_00000000e38861f8a59f275649ba8e64-300x200.png\" alt=\"Skinner et Pavlov dans le dressage moderne\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/file_00000000e38861f8a59f275649ba8e64-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/file_00000000e38861f8a59f275649ba8e64-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/file_00000000e38861f8a59f275649ba8e64-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/file_00000000e38861f8a59f275649ba8e64-18x12.png 18w, https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/file_00000000e38861f8a59f275649ba8e64.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Une_piste_dequilibre\"><\/span><strong>A balance track<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Ideally, balanced dog training should integrate both dimensions. Operant conditioning is valuable for learning behaviors. But classical conditioning helps give emotional meaning to these behaviors: pleasing their owner becomes, for the dog, an end in itself.<\/p>\n<p>It is probably on this balance that the best master-dog relationships are based: a dog that works well and above all works for and with its master.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; justify-content: center; gap: 10px; margin-top: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #666666; text-align: center;\">\u00a9 2025 \u00c9levage des Crocs V\u00e9ritables<\/span><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 16px; margin-top: 20px;\"><strong>Quick navigation:<\/strong><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 16px; margin-top: 20px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/\">Home<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"\/en\/le-berger-allemand\/\">The German Shepherd<\/a> | <a href=\"\/en\/sante\/\">Health<\/a> | <a href=\"\/en\/selection\/\">Selection<\/a> | <a href=\"\/en\/vivre-avec-un-berger-allemand\/\">Living with a German Shepherd<\/a> | <a href=\"\/en\/education-et-dressage\/\">Education and training<\/a> | <a href=\"\/en\/elevage\/\">Breeding<\/a> | <a href=\"\/en\/photos-et-videos\/\">Photos<\/a> | <a href=\"\/en\/contact\/\">Contact<\/a> | <a href=\"\/en\/liens-et-bibliographie\/\">Links <\/a> | <em><span style=\"color: #339966;\"><a style=\"color: #339966;\" href=\"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/articles-et-reflexions\/\">Articles and Reflections<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Conditionnement et dressage canin : une r\u00e9flexion sur les m\u00e9canismes de l\u2019\u00e9ducation Dans le monde du dressage canin, on \u00e9voque tr\u00e8s souvent les m\u00e9thodes, les outils, les r\u00e9compenses et les renforcements. Mais on oublie parfois de revenir \u00e0 la base des m\u00e9canismes psychologiques qui gouvernent l\u2019apprentissage du chien. En particulier, deux types de conditionnements fondamentaux [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dressage-et-education"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1319","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1319"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1319\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1330,"href":"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1319\/revisions\/1330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dcv-berger-allemand.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}