@Gingerkid - I think 'calming protocol' is a method to cue your dog to 'settle.' "Calming Signals" are an informal but rigorous (?)observation of dog's body language theorectically related to wolf body language. They are frequently overlooked expressions which more subtle (and may be precursors to) tail wagging, snarling, barking, etc. There are 30 basic calming signals, and I believe there are about 20 more 'variations.' Google: "Calming Signals" "Turid Rugaas" to get a good taste. Take what you read with a grain of salt, because they aren't rigorous science, but more at the observation/categorization level of research. The Knowledge will improve your observation skills.
@KBLover - OK, I'm wrong and I disagree!
Practical implementation is different than limited theory. And from a definition perspective, behaviorism requires a blackbox, no theory of mind, and change of behavior is the ONLY indication of learning. Of course, we know better in fact... But are we discussing fact or theory
Floor wax or dessert topping?
>>Where does anticipation/pattern recognition or "wait and see what might happen" fall in? Cognitive
I Agree, but I want to distinguish between the two approaches. I think folks have trouble with OC b/c they can see their dogs thinking... "getting it" ... and OC requires a change in behavior. OC is proven to work (I agree with this) and the research in cognitive methods used in dog training is not yet proven to work. However, these methods are used in school. Researchers just haven't had the funding to create a Cognitive curriculum for dog training IMHO.
Initially, I believe that an 8 week old puppy (or maybe a little younger) really is close to a 'mindless' black box and the behavioral methods work mainly as described... But, the light grows brighter, the puppy learns to adapt (better than we do), and 'reasons out' that he can get "food from the sky" by pushing the right button. Ever watch Wally, early on, throwing a Sit or a Down... trying to teach you to give him a treat : -) At that point, I think Cognitive methods would be more effective, if we knew what to do... And, I believe that the Thinking Dog gives a behavior without treats, b/c he is thinking. So, +R is needed early on from a kinda black box perspective, but I think it is only a marker ("Yes, that's what I mean") as opposed to ("Good Dog, Click, Here's your reward")... as the dog learns how to learn, learning that words have meanings. Early on, if you say Sit, you get a Sit. Then you teach Down... and you also get a Sit... and with enough cues, I believe the pup discriminates.... Cognitively... thinking ... rather than just reacting behaviorally...
I think you are already well into Wally's mind... and if he is like Shep ( or better!!!!) then he already knows more than you recognize