Classical Conditioning

What Is Classical Conditioning?

Classical conditioning is learning through association. It happens when something that originally has little or no meaning to a dog becomes connected with something that already produces an automatic response.

The most famous example comes from Ivan Pavlov. Pavlov repeatedly paired a neutral sound—a bell—with food. Eventually, the dogs began salivating when they heard the bell, even before the food appeared.

The bell didn’t naturally cause salivation. The dogs learned that the bell predicted food.

How This Applies to Dog Training

We use this same type of learning constantly in dog training, sometimes without even realizing it.

A leash coming out may predict a walk. The sound of a food container may predict dinner. The doorbell may predict someone entering the house.

Through repetition, dogs create associations between events and what those events predict.

Classical Conditioning and Marker Training

Marker training is another practical example.

At BFF, we primarily use the verbal marker “Yes.”

Initially, the word “Yes” has no special meaning to the dog. We repeatedly pair it with something the dog values—usually food during the early stages of training.

Over time, the dog learns:

Yes → Reward

Eventually, hearing “Yes” creates an immediate positive association because the dog understands what that word predicts.

Why We Primarily Use a Verbal Marker

Clickers can work extremely well because they provide a consistent, precise sound. But at BFF, we generally prefer a verbal marker because your voice is something you’ll always have with you.

You can lose a clicker and its difficult to forget your voice at home.

The Bigger Picture

Classical conditioning isn’t about asking the dog to consciously perform a behavior. It’s about creating associations that can influence how the dog feels and responds.

Understanding those associations can help us recognize not only how we’re teaching our dogs—but also what our dogs may be learning from us every day without either of us realizing it.

Unfortunately, this is also where a lot of unwanted learned behavior begins.