BIO 199.

Undergraduate Seminar
Date: October 13, 2014
Speaker: Carlos, Kris Pauline H.
TITLE: Learned Behavior Among Members of the Genus Canis(Classical & Operant
Conditioning) A Review of Recent Studies In Animal Behavior Research

SIGNIFICANCE:
This seminar will provide adequate information regarding concepts of classical and
operant conditioning and how it can modify the behavior of certain group of animals -
specifically the members of the genus Canis (dogs), into becoming one with a better emotional
state.. The discussion will as well educate the audience regarding the advances in the study of
Animal behavior and critical thinking will be induced since the implications of such behaviors
even to current human-related behavior and medical improvements will also be tackled. The
seminar will also allow the audience to learn how to apply the knowledge to particular day to day
situations and make it work for them effectively. This talk will stimulate interest in exploring
other biological fields related to ethology and may lay a good foundation to understanding such
fields. On final note, the seminar will also enable the students to become aware of the needs and
current conditions of this species (specifically in the country) that would then raise social and
environmental concern.

OBJECTIVES:
1. To allow the students to reintegrate their previous knowledge in animal behavior to its
relation to the current scientific studies
2. To develop awareness and critical thinking regarding new studies on classical and
operant conditioning and their contributions to science as field of study
3. To recognize how classical and operant conditioning modify dogs (Canis) behavioral
state
4. Identify and analyze occurrence of such conditioning and learn to effectively articulate
the idea to ones own specific circumstances; and
5. Distinguish possible implications of these behavior to human survival and medical
improvements




DISCUSSION:
A. Learning is essential for species of dogs to survive (overview/definition of terms).
1. Associative learning can be divided into classical and operant
conditioning.
a. Classical conditioning is where the behavior is a conditioned reflex.
b. Operant conditioning is where the behavior is dependent upon earlier
experiences.
2. Dogs play an important Role in Human Society.
B. History of dog behavior research starts way back in history.
C. Current status of dog behavior research is highly associable to associative
learning.
1. How associative learning aids in maintaining a dogs stable emotional
state?
- Presentation of first journal article: Conditioned Placebo Effect in
Dogs Decreases Separation Related Behaviors (2014)
2. How associative learning affects emotional state of dogs?
- Presentation of second journal article: Effects of 2 Training Methods
on Stress-Related Behaviors of the Dog (Canisfamiliaris) and on the
Dog-Owner Relationship(2014)
3. How emotional state affects associative learning of dogs?
- Presentation of third journal article: Conceptualizing the Impact of
Arousal and Affective State on Training Outcomes of Operant
Conditioning (2013)
D. Ordinary people can apply such training to their own tail-wagger (presentation
of situations handled by the famous Dog whisperer, Caesar Millan, implying the
idea that the class could also train their own dogs effectively).
E. Animal conditioning has its relevance to social care and human medical
advancements.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
Learning is a basic necessity for the survival of many organisms including dogs. A lot of
current studies in animal behavior (with special focus on dogs) are related to the application of
associative learning. Based from the results of such studies, using classical conditioning
(conditioned placebo) on dogs decreases separation related behaviors and thus, causing them to
have a more stable emotional state. However, it was also proven that the methods of conditioning
had an effect on the alteration of the dogs behavior negative reinforcement triggers signals of
stress while positive reinforcements causes heightened attention towards their owner. On the
other hand, if the conditioning affects the dogs emotional state, this also holds true in the other
way around emotional state (and arousal) differentially influence the effectivity of operant
conditioning depending on the behavior that is being trained.
Upon listening to the discussion, the audience should realize that they can also apply the
same methods to their own dogs. In the context of social care and application to medical
phenomena in humans, since certain body responses can be conditioned properly, then it is
plausible to useoperant and classical conditioning to bodily processes affecting illness and
mental disorders. In fact, the concepts of such conditionings are already applied in treatments of
phobias and in aversion therapies. The conformity of the previously established human findings
about associative learning to the results of the studies presented increases the validity of the use
of dogs model for the advancements of associative learning researches in humans.

REFERENCES:
Deldalle, S. and F. Guanet. Effects of 2 Training Methods on Stress-Related Behaviors of the
Dog (Canis familiaris) and on the Dog-Owner Relationship.Journal of Veterinary
Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research. Vol. (9):58-65.

Starling MJ, Branson N, Cody D, McGreevy PD. Conceptualising the Impact of Arousal and Affective State
on Training Outcomes of Operant Conditioning. Animals. 2013; 3(2):300-317.

Smegi, Z., et al., Conditioned placebo effect in dogs decreases separation related
behaviours. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. (2014),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2014.07.005.

Wergard, E. M. Animal Training Applied Theory. Retrieved from
http://propiraya.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/eva-marie-wergc3a5rd-
litteraturuppsats.pdf.

(2012). 4. Literature Review on Psychology (Classical Conditioning). Retrieved from
http://michelletwolfe.blogspot.com/2012/11/4literature-review-on-psychology.html