Unlocking the power of Classical Conditioning in Canine Nosework

Classical conditioning plays a crucial role in the development of effective scent detection performance in dogs, yet it is often overshadowed by a focus on operant conditioning in training methodologies. This webinar explores the different ways classical conditioning contributes to a dog’s ability to engage in nosework with confidence, motivation, and precision. By examining the underlying neuroscience, this session provides a deeper understanding the multitude of associations that influence a dogs’ learning and performance in scent detection. Scent work is a unique discipline in which dogs utilise their natural ability relying on their innate olfactory capabilities to navigate and locate target odors. While operant conditioning is widely focussed on to reinforce desired behaviors, classical conditioning is fundamental in shaping the dog’s intrinsic drive to search efficiently. Classical conditioning influences emotional responses, expectation formation, and the overall reinforcement history that guides a dog’s approach to scent detection. This webinar, presented by Dr Kathy Murphy, a clinical-academic veterinarian and neuroscientist, delves into the fundamental principles of classical conditioning and its impact on nosework. Dr Murphy earned a PhD in behavioral neuroscience from the University of Oxford and has extensive experience in canine behaviour and training. With her husband, a qualified and experienced scent work instructor, she regularly provides camps, seminars and webinars on topics related to competition scent work and the use of olfactory activities to enhance the wellbeing of dogs. This webinar highlights how early conditioning can shape long-term motivation and engagement in scent detection tasks. The discussion also addresses how classical conditioning can be leveraged to enhance learning outcomes and maintain a dog’s independence and problem-solving abilities.