Learning in Dogs

Of special interest in this field of psychology is the evaluation of the dog's ability to perceive information and acts accordingly as per the memorial functions. Some dogs are therefore subjected to practical experiments that evaluate the effectiveness of their memories. This is not similar to that of humans but is enough to affirm the analogy that dogs are capable of learning from humans and their environment in general (Demarest, 2014). That explains why humans can train dogs on various tacts such as communication. The correspondence of memory and the attainment of new characters by dogs is tantamount to the exercise of learning in dogs (Kaminski, 2014). The whole idea here is the chronological development as one becomes more exposed and grows up.

This is what learning entails straight from the fact that the environment plays an equally important role in the process. Learning is not entirely a human attribute. This has been proven by several scholars that have related learning to the ability to comprehend newly introduced ideas or facts and adjust accordingly concerning their specifications (Mazur, 2016). That is why humans have even established centers where they can impart knowledge to the interested parties. This is the foundation of any learning process. The instructor and learner are supposed to be in amicable terms, and this only comes about with the development of a proper channel of communication. The modes of communication can be either through gestures or an established language (Galef, 2017). Humans have succeeded in developing languages that they effectively use to communicate.

The same cannot be said for the dogs and other animals. Dogs are no exception when trying to gaze at the extent to which the training of animals may go. Dogs are arguably the most domesticated animals by humans and therefore have had a fair chance of learning various things right from communication to the exercising of some functions (Fisher, 2012). They are closer to humans than any other animal and are therefore easily taught. The teachings here are varied ranging from the recognition of strangers and the responses that ensue after that. Dogs are friendly bot their keepers and owners, but the same cannot be said for the strangers (Lindsay, 2013). Dogs have been domesticated by humans since time immemorial. They, therefore, understand each other's strengths and weaknesses as portrayed in their association (Fisher, 2012).

It is important to note that the associations here are not predetermined as in the case of intraspecies interactions. Humans are capable of relating well to others based on the fact that they are both humans. The same applies to dogs that amicably coexist with other dogs unless trained or instructed to act otherwise. Dogs are capable of memorizing their residing locality and therefore do not easily get lost. When taken to newer environments, dogs can detect and can communicate by gestures of pleasure or displeasure (Udell et al. Additionally, dogs are capable of taking orders from their keepers when strangers show up at their residence. The orders are mostly communicated by gestures or few catchy words that are familiar to the dogs (Range, 2013).

Some dogs are also capable of taking instructions from their masters to carry out simple tasks like carrying along light objects without destroying them. 3 Research questions • Do dogs learn or their actions are merely spontaneous? • What is the correlation between the memory of dogs and their actions? • What differences exist between a domesticated dog and a wild one? • What does the learning process in dogs entail? Chapter two 2. 0 Literature review 2. 1Perception The dog has been known to be human’s closest animal since time immemorial. The relationship between the two beings has a lot to do with the psychological development of the animal (Fisher, 2012). The close relationship between the two is attributed to the fact that dogs have flexible mindsets just like the humans.

There is a profound difference with dogs doing better than the apes. Horowitz points out that the dogs’ perception of lingual content has a proximal relation to that of humans. The understanding of the words and gestures are however slower due to issues of attention (Horowitz, 2014). Dogs attention must be shifted towards one end to enable them conceptualize whatever it is that is being brought their way. Fisher however counters the negativity by stating that the inference of both spoken and gesture instructions puts dogs ahead of most animals in as far as communicating with animals is concerned. 2Reading minds and comprehension Dogs are reportedly the tamed and domesticated version of the wolves. They are friendlier and attached to humans even more than their own species.

Dogs also have special traits that make them attributed to man (Merola et al. They are social animals just like the human species. When it comes to the intellectual capabilities, the animal is well versed with linguistic gestures and sounds. A good example is a dog responding to a gaze by walking away from a gathering of humans (Udell et al. Merola argues that dogs are the best learning species of animals in as far as matters pertaining to humans and social learning are concerned. This is illustrated by the fact that dogs are capable of imitating humans when directed to do so (Merola et al. This is common for example seeing someone run alongside a puppy. Udell adds that these are just but the numerous ways through which dogs learn.

Dogs exercise top notch response to various stimuli in their environments (Kaminski, 2014). The work by Lindsay adds that they are social learners and are therefore able to deduce thoughts and feelings from the human facial expressions (Lindsay, 2013). In response to the expressions observed, dogs are capable of showing empathy, guilt or far worse jealousy. Kaminski and Lindsay agree that all these are as result of the staying with humans and learning various gestures and sampled audio communications. Domesticated dogs are social learners (Kaminski, 2014). Dogs are good learners of social skills. Kaminski and Udell agree that dogs can conceptualize the audiovisual communication media as taught by the humans. The matching of symbols to objects is an added advantage in exceptional cases. Dogs respond regarding their memory induced perceptions of gestures, objects or even situations.