Why Are Street (Feral) Dogs Different?

Because they have truly Operantly Conditioned themselves and suffered the consequences of their own actions – positive and negative.

I’m GenX, we grew up on the streets. Get out and play was our parents motto and we did. I licked alot of wounds doing stupid stuff, but I learned the hard way and those hard lessons are never forgotten. For every action – there is a consequence – positive or negative. If something is positive – we tend to keep doing it. If it’s negative, we tend to avoid it. We made our choices and decisions and we too learned from the consequences of our actions – positive and negative. Welcome to the real Operant Conditioning.

Operant Conditioning in reality is Positive Reinforcement – and it isn’t have a treat. In reality, it’s about survival of the animal and survival of the fittest. Your base Positive Reinforcements – the necessities of life – are food, water and shelter – these are necessary for the survival of the animal. Sex and procreation are required for the survival of the species as a whole.

Street dogs are different – smarter than the average pet dog because they learned to navigate the environment through their own choices and decisions. They are also very independent – what dogs really should be. They are on their own to survive for the most. And many people treat these dogs badly – or they offer a helping hand when they can. It’s up to the dog to figure out which one is which. It’s all part and parcel of Operant Learning process.

So, when you adopt a street dog (feral) – that’s what you’re contending with versus raising a puppy or rehoming. You are not dealing with a domesticated animal – but you are going to try to domesticate the animal.

Now, if you adopt or rescue that extremely independent dog that Operantly Conditioned themselves properly – and put that dog through dog training? You are not only forcing the dog to give up their independence – and that’s a hard thing to do on it’s own. You are changing the very definition of Operant Conditioning to one of reward and punishment – the Quadrants Of Dog Training.

And people wonder why they are having issues?

What would it take for the animal that you are to give up your independence to someone else – and do it willingly? Would you give up your independence to someone that you don’t trust or understand?

Number one thing I hear from dogs owners – “I don’t trust my dog”. And I will tell you honestly – if you don’t trust your dog – they don’t trust you – they have no reason to…

What reasons have you given for your dog to trust you? Just something to chew on.