EFFICIENCY OF OPERANT CONDITIONING IN TRAINING GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS

Our studies demonstrated that the application of clicker training significantly accelerates the formation of stable conditioned reflexes. The use of the operant method ensured a reduction in the time required to master the basic command course ("Sit," "Down," "Stand," "Come") by 2.3–3.5 times compared to traditional techniques. The most pronounced effect was observed in the subgroup of 2-month-old male dogs, where the training period decreased from 22.67 ± 0.82 to 8.33 ± 1.08 days. The analysis of the coefficient of variation showed higher variability of results in the experimental groups (Cv = 17.6–20.37%) compared to the control (5.1–9.9%). This indicates the activation of individual cognitive abilities in animals under conditions of conflict-free communication and the absence of the depressive impact of mechanical coercion.