Concerned over your canine companion's emotional state? A professional dog trainer unveils an unexpected cause for their apparent fear or apprehension, along with recommendations for addressing the issue.
In the world of canine behaviour, a condition known as learned helplessness is a significant concern for many dog owners. This behavioural disorder occurs when a dog is repeatedly subjected to aversive stimuli or punishment without any ability to escape or control the situation. Over time, the dog stops trying to avoid or change the unpleasant circumstances because it has "learned" that its actions do not influence the outcomes.
The concept of learned helplessness was first demonstrated in the 1960s by psychologist Martin Seligman, who showed that dogs exposed to inescapable electric shocks eventually stopped attempting to escape, even when escape became possible. This behaviour is not exclusive to dogs; it can also be observed in humans.
To avoid learned helplessness in dogs, it's essential to prioritise positive, motivational training approaches that empower the dog, prevent excessive stress, and foster a sense of control and success. Here are some strategies to help:
- Avoid repeated harsh punishment or aversive training methods: These can induce learned helplessness by making the dog believe nothing it does matters.
- Use motivational and reward-based training methods focused on positive reinforcement rather than force or punishment. This builds the dog's confidence and encourages active learning and engagement.
- Provide clear, achievable training goals and consistent feedback: This helps the dog understand the link between its behaviour and outcomes, preventing frustration and passivity.
- Avoid negative punishment strategies that confuse the dog or make it anxious, as persistent failure due to anxiety may also lead to a sense of powerlessness resembling learned helplessness.
- Consult with professional dog trainers: They use ethical, science-based methods to ensure training is effective and does not cause stress or helplessness.
It's important to note that unavoidable situations such as car journeys, vet visits, or flea treatment can cause stress in dogs. However, as dog parents, we can control whether they enter potentially traumatic situations like aversive training sessions or forced interactions.
When dogs are trained using aversive methods, they often display learned helplessness. This may negatively affect their mental health, leading to stress, depression, and even PTSD, similar to humans. If your dog appears anxious or nervous, but you're unsure why, there are eight potential reasons for their anxiety and ways to help them.
Expert trainer Carolyn Martell, founder of Good Dog Training, has explained the concept of learned helplessness in dogs. She emphasises that the absence of bad behaviour doesn't necessarily mean good behaviour; dogs should instead choose 'good' behaviour confidently and optimistically. Martell also suggests giving dogs choices to boost their confidence and advocates for replacing punishment and aversive training methods with positive training.
In conclusion, learned helplessness in dogs is caused by repeated exposure to uncontrollable and aversive events that undermine their ability to affect outcomes, resulting in passivity and depression. It can be avoided by prioritising positive, motivational training approaches that empower the dog, prevent excessive stress, and foster a sense of control and success.
- A dog's health and wellness can be significantly impacted by learned helplessness, a condition resulting from repeated exposure to uncontrollable and aversive events.
- In the realm of pet relationships, it's crucial to be mindful of our behavior towards our dogs, as harsh punishment or aversive training methods can lead to learned helplessness.
- To promote a healthy lifestyle for our pets, we should embrace positive, motivational training that encourages active learning and boosts the dog's confidence.
- Embracing healthy-and-wellness practices for our pets includes avoiding negative punishment strategies that may confuse or make them anxious.
- By adopting reward-based training methods, we can foster a sense of control and success in our pets, thereby reducing the risk of learned helplessness.
- Consulting with professional dog trainers who use science-based, ethical methods can help prevent learned helplessness and ensure effective, stress-free training.
- Neglecting a pet's mental health by using aversive methods can lead to anxiety, depression, and even PTSD, similar to humans.
- Instead of relying on punishment, expert trainers like Carolyn Martell recommend giving dogs choices, boosting their confidence, and replacing aversive training with positive reinforcement.
