A previously neutral stimulus of a trip to the veterinary clinic now elicits the prediction to a scary, dreaded place.) (Sadly, we see the results of such conditioning every day in our exam rooms. The good news: No puppy or kitten is born with an innate fear of veterinarians-this is a conditioned response. Sound complicated? Just remember that if the bell reliably predicts food, then after a few pairings, the bell alone predicts something good to happen and elicits the salivation-no food is required.Īnd here is the parallel as it applies in your clinic: Classical, or Pavlovian, conditioning happens when a previously neutral stimulus (such as the sound of a bell) is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (such as food) that elicits an involuntary response (such as salivation). You may remember learning about Pavlov in school. Small changes in our own behaviors can make a huge difference in our patients' experience at our clinic. While most trainers are focused on operant conditioning, we as veterinarians should be very aware of classical conditioning. Veterinarians have the power to significantly impact their patients' stress levels and overall emotional and mental health by being aware of a few simple principles of learning theory as they apply in their daily practice. When holding onto one end of a leash with a dog attached to the other end, a handler has to be aware that the dog is adapting its behavior based on the environment and circumstances. Intensions aside, your patients are constantly learning, whether the handler is aware of it or not. We want them to succeed, and even more so, we want to succeed with them. Knowledge of animal behavior and learning theory is required in everyday veterinary practice to avoid injuries to staff, to provide good customer service and to practice welfare-centered medicine. Read on before you pick up the other end of that leash.
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