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Skinner in the lab

This blog is designed to be used as a resource. We have categorized the posts so that you can review what is important to you. Here are some past posts that I hope everyone considers every time they work with their dog.

The most important blog posts on theory-

Jaak Panksepp’s work on the underpinnings of core emotional states that manifest in behavior. As he stated in a conference a few year ago (paraphrasing)- “The animal only seeks to avoid stress and achieve the pleasure”

https://www.akc.org/akc-detection-dog-task-force/akc-pilot-detection-puppy-rearing-program/blogs/puppy-development/possession-possession-possession/

An extension of Panksepp’s work that considers the impact of arousal on the core emotions. This is a near perfect model that lets us visualize where we are when things go right and where we are when things go wrong.

https://www.akc.org/akc-detection-dog-task-force/akc-pilot-detection-puppy-rearing-program/blogs/training-science/resilience-core-affect-space/

The Coppingers’ work on behavioral shape or behavioral motor patterns is of vital importance in understanding working detection dogs.

https://www.akc.org/akc-detection-dog-task-force/akc-pilot-detection-puppy-rearing-program/blogs/training-science/behavioral-circuits-motor-patterns/

The Brelands taking Skinners ideas and using theim practically.

On the practical side I find this description to be an important tool to have in your detection dog training kit.

https://www.akc.org/akc-detection-dog-task-force/akc-pilot-detection-puppy-rearing-program/blogs/trainer-development/10-behaviors-expert-animal-trainers/