Book recommendations for classical and operant conditioning

[ClareMarsh]

Over on the other forum that I frequent I have a post going on classical and operant conditioning. Someone has asked if there are any books on this subject that are any good. Apparently my explanations aren't cutting it

[jacksdad]

For Operant conditioning there is of course
http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Shoot-Dog-Te ... 0553380397

And

accelerated learning
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_ ... ning&ajr=2

Clicker training in general if you dive into what is behind the click will teach you the in and out of Operant Conditioning. While Kathy Sdao isn't the only good source, I have been enjoying her DVDs on clicker training in addition to reading the above books. She covers the geeky stuff behind the scenes. Operant, learning theory, classical and more. being a former marine mammal trainer (where force isn't an option no matter how you feel about using force in training) she brings some interesting insights to her talks.

Two of the best sources of information I have found for how Classical Conditioning works are Kathy Sdao DVDs
http://www.tawzerdog.com/does-the-name- ... 10621.html
http://www.tawzerdog.com/cujo-meets-pavlov-10729.html

Then there of course is just going through the books written by BF Skinner himself as he is the one that did the work that lead to what we are calling Operant conditioning.

I am not sure there is just "one book" for either of these topics. rather there are lots of books that cover different aspects, different "depths" of the topic.

The most important thing I have learn so far to keep the two topics strait....

If you click or other wise mark a behavior...if you are looking for the dog to do something....you are working in the "operant world".

If you are linking / creating association / changing existing associations...that is classical and there is NO click involved. dog doesn't have to do anything to earn the "reinforcement".

BUT...the two are not completely separate in the real world. I believe it was Bob Baily who said something to the affect that pavlov is always on one shoulder and skinner is always on the other. Both these are always in play. So I tend to think of it like this...IF I click, skinner (operant) is in the driver seat. If I am letting something like another dog cause treats to happen to my dog...Pavlov is in the driver seat. but both operant and classical are always in play...but one will be a little more in play then the other in any given situation.

[ClareMarsh]

Thanks Jacksdad, I knew you'd have some good recommendations

[WufWuf]

Clare Burch & Bailey "How dogs learn" covers both, it's a little dry but it did the job for me

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dogs-Learn-Howe ... 0876053711

[ClareMarsh]

Thanks Claire, am passing all these on!