Learning Styles In Dogs: How To Identify Your Dog’s Unique Way Of Learning & Train More Effectively

By Norma Jeanne Laurette ​

Learning Style For Dogs

​Like us, each dog has it’s own learning preference. Some people learn best by reading, others by listening, watching or through hands-on experience. Similarly, each dog is unique and responds differently based on its motivation, sensory preferences, temperament and breed traits. Careful observation can reveal what excites and engages each dog most, such as food, play, toys, praise, touch, attention, scent or movement. By tailoring training to match these preferences, a guardian can make learning faster, more enjoyable and far more effective. The concept of learning styles in dogs is about identifying what drives them. When we train a dog utilizing its natural motivators, we’re not just strengthening desirable behaviours and teaching cues – we’re setting the dog up for success through fun and effective learning.

A quote from Greg Ceci’s article entitled The Resource As The Reward: ”At the end of all canine behaviour whether wanted or unwanted is a resource – and dogs will continue to do whatever works to get it. Dogs don’t work for free and in most situations, treats are actually pretty low in value on the canine resource list – would you continue to go to work if you didn’t receive a pay check and were punished for all your mistakes?”

Motivation

​Effective dog training is based on operant conditioning, a learning theory developed by B.F. Skinner (R1). In a nutshell, dogs repeat behaviors that lead to pleasant outcomes and avoid behaviors that lead to unpleasant ones. When a behavior is rewarded, it’s likely to be repeated and when it’s punished it’s not.

Science has already determined that while punishment may stop a behavior, not only does it risk damage to a dog’s trust, temperament, emotional wellbeing and the human/canine bond, it can also lead to fear and aggression. For these reasons, we focus on motivating dogs to choose correct behaviours and reinforcing them with rewards. By rewarding desired behaviours, they are more likely to be repeated, naturally replacing unwanted behaviours with desired alternatives. This approach effectively eliminates any need for reprimands or punishment in dog training.

No reward has the same impact for every dog. When we know what motivates each dog, we can tailor training to what they enjoy most and how they learn best, in order to keep them engaged and help them reach their full potential.

A dog’s motivation can also change depending on the situation. For example, a food-motivated dog might ignore food when stressed or distracted, but could still respond to a favourite toy or touch. Observing these subtle shifts allows guardians and trainers to adjust their approach when necessary. When training is built around what a dog finds most enjoyable, they are more focussed and retain new skills more efficiently. The better the reward matches the dog’s natural motivations, the easier, faster and more stress-free learning becomes. For more information about motivation see our first book Blueprint To A Happy Dog.

Primary & Secondary Reinforcers

​Primary reinforcers are rewards that are naturally valuable to dogs, such as food, water, attention and play. They don’t need to be taught to be motivating because dogs are already predisposed to value them.

On the other hand, secondary reinforcers only gain their meaning through association with a primary reinforcer. For example, on their own, a verbal “yes” or the click of a clicker don’t mean anything to a dog however, once they become associated with food, they turn into powerful reward markers (R2). The ability to precisely mark the exact moment a dog makes a correct choice speeds up the learning process drastically.

Food

​Food-motivated dogs love to work for treats and pick up new behaviours quickly, especially when the reward is something new or highly valued and aromatic. Methods such as lure-reward training and shaping with reward markers work particularly well for these dogs (R3). With the right incentive, many food-motivated learners can stay focused and engaged, even in distracting environments.

Play Or Toys

​Some dogs are less food-driven and more motivated by play. For these dogs, the opportunity to chase, tug or retrieve is far more important than a training treat (R4). Play-motivated learners may require more effort to engage at the beginning but once involved, they can maintain focus and motivation longer than food-motivated dogs.

Toys are particularly effective when they involve movement. For example, using a flirt pole or tug toy as a reward during recall training, or playing a game of fetch to reinforce impulse control, keeps training active and engaging. This type of reward provides both physical exercise and mental stimulation. Dogs with high energy and strong working drives such as Border Collies often respond best to this kind of interactive, fast-paced learning.

Social

​Some dogs are most motivated by social connection. Being close to their people or other dogs can be more rewarding to them than food or toys (R5). For these dogs, treats can lose their appeal when they’re feeling stressed or anxious, while a calm voice, gentle touch or praise might do the trick. Training socially motivated dogs works best when it focuses on connection and working together. Activities such as cooperative care, praise-based exercises, and tasks that involve communication or teamwork tend to be especially motivating.

An example is the Standard Poodle, which often responds strongly to verbal encouragement during agility. For these dogs, the interaction with their handler becomes a reward in itself.

Another example is dogs that love playing with other dogs. For them, being released with a “go play” right after making a right choice can be an incredibly powerful and motivating reward.

Touch & Attention

​Touch and attention are powerful motivators for many dogs, rooted in their natural need for social connection. Many dogs thrive on bonding with their humans and for some, physical affection is the most rewarding of all reinforcers (R10). Gentle stroking, chest rubs, scratches under the chin or behind the ears and verbal praise trigger the release of the feel-good hormones oxytocin and dopamine, which strengthen the human/canine bond and increase the likelihood that the dog will repeat the behavior that earned the attention (R11). When training taps into this desire for closeness, it feels less like formal training and more like a natural extension of the relationship (R12).

To use this motivation effectively, guardians must observe canine body language for signs of comfort and pleasure. Leaning in, relaxed posture, soft eyes and a wagging tail typically indicate pleasant emotions, while stiffening, avoidance or turning away suggest discomfort, stress or fear (R13).

For touch and attention motivated dogs, desired behaviors should be immediately reinforced with touch and praise to create clear associations, while attention should be withheld for unwanted behaviors such as jumping up or barking to avoid accidental reinforcement (R10). Waiting for the dog to offer an appropriate alternative behavior before offering affection supports consistent learning and emotional self control. When used correctly, touch and praise enhance learning, engagement and strengthen the human/canine trust bond, resulting in cooperative and enjoyable training sessions (R11). For more information about resource control see my article entitled Dominance - The Dirty Word Of Dog Training.

Scent

​Scent-driven dogs such as hounds are naturally motivated by the smells around them. Their curiosity and persistence make scent work very self-rewarding (R6). You can use scent as a motivator in training through fun scent-search games, search and rescue exercises, scent discrimination, or simply letting the dog sniff as a reward.
Encouraging a Beagle to follow a hidden scent can transform a regular walk into a fun and mentally engaging activity. This type of training utilizes their natural instincts, boosts confidence, focus and wellbeing, and strengthens the dog’s connection with its guardian.

Movement

​High-energy dogs are often obsessed with movement. Training that integrates running, jumping or herding activities keeps these dogs engaged, prevents frustration and boredom, and is highly self-rewarding (R7). Movement-oriented learning techniques are ideal for the herding, working, sporting, retrieving, terrier and hound groups. A Border Collie can quickly learn to respond to distance cues when training involves movement-based games that reward speed and focus.

Agility courses, rally obedience, flyball, lure coursing and fast-paced recall exercises are productive ways to effectively release energy for these dogs.

Matching Style To Context

​Most dogs have a favourite motivation, however these favourites can change. Dogs can respond to a few different types of rewards however, what works best can shift depending on their health, stress level and surroundings. For example, a dog that normally loves a particular toy might lose interest in it in a busy environment but may still respond to an aromatic treat or verbal praise instead. Good trainers pay attention to which rewards work best in each situation (R8). Mixing up your rewards can also help keep dogs interested and prevent them from getting distracted or bored. Being aware and flexible is key to long-term training success.

Benefits Of Motivation-Matched Training

​Training that utilizes a dog’s preferred motivation offers many benefits. Dogs learn faster because they are genuinely interested in the reward (R9). Using preferred motivations reduces stress and anxiety and strengthens the bond between dog and guardian. Motivation-based training also helps dogs generalize what they learn to different environments. For example, a scent-driven hound trained to follow tracks in a park can apply the same skill in other locations. By focusing on what naturally drives a dog and using it to reinforce correct choices, training becomes more enjoyable, leading to quicker learning and retention.

Summary

​​Although dogs don’t fit neatly into human learning style categories, each dog has its own unique motivation preferences. By understanding what excites and engages each dog, guardians and trainers can make learning both fun and effective. Training that matches a dog’s individual learning style isn’t just a kinder way to train, it leads to better results and dogs that are engaged, confident and eager to learn.

References

​(R1) Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and Human Behavior. Free Press.
(R2) Pryor, K. (2006). Reaching the Animal Mind: Clicker Training and What It Teaches Us About All Animals. Scribner.
(R3) Yin, S. (2009). Perfect Puppy in 7 Days: How to Start Your Puppy Off Right. CattleDog Publishing.
(R4) Reid, P. J. (1996). Excel-erated Learning: Explaining in Plain English How Dogs Learn and How Best to Teach Them. James & Kenneth Publishers.
(R5) Horwitz, D. F., & Mills, D. S. (2009). BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine (2nd ed.). BSAVA.
(R6) Polgár, Z., Miklósi, Á., & Andics, A. (2015). Dogs’ sensitivity to human pointing is affected by their individual responsiveness to humans. Animal Cognition, 18(4), 839–849.
(R7) McConnell, P. (2002). The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs. Ballantine Books.
(R8) Handelman, B. (2008). Canine Behavior: A Photo Illustrated Handbook. Woof & Word Press.
(R9) Pryor, K. (2006). Reaching the Animal Mind. Scribner.
(R10) McConnell, P. B. (2002). The other end of the leash: Why we do what we do around dogs. Ballantine Books.
Explores canine social behavior and the impact of human interaction on learning and emotional responses.
(R11) Odendaal, J. S. J., & Meintjes, R. A. (2003). Neurophysiological correlates of affiliative behaviour between humans and dogs. The Veterinary Journal, 165(3), 296–301.
Examines hormonal responses associated with human–dog physical contact and bonding.
(R12) Horowitz, A. (2009). Inside of a dog: What dogs see, smell, and know. Scribner.
Provides insight into canine cognition, attachment, and how dogs interpret human social behavior.(R13) Yin, S. (2009). Low stress handling, restraint and behavior modification of dogs & cats. CattleDog Publishing.
Details canine body language, stress signals, and appropriate handling techniques to support learning and welfare.

Photo By Norma Jeanne Laurette