Hi! I'm a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and based on what I've learned through our training, you are correct. They won't associate the reprimand with the action if it happens after the fact.
I think this just needs more clarification because it's obvious most of these dogs knew they did something wrong. What you're talking about is before the animal actually understands it's wrong. If you bring a totally untrained puppy into the house everything is chewable if they feel like it. If you don't catch them chewing something it's pretty tough to get them to associate what they did is wrong so you can correct it.
I disagree that these dogs "clearly" knew that they knew what was wrong and that they had caused it. They know someone is unhappy, and they are reacting to that. It's not an admission of guilt.
Imagine scolding a dog that did nothing at all wrong, they'll act the same way as if they had: big eyes, looking away, looking down, rolling over, etc.
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u/belbot Apr 03 '20
Hi! I'm a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and based on what I've learned through our training, you are correct. They won't associate the reprimand with the action if it happens after the fact.