Why Dogs "Disobey", How Context and Conditioning Control Behavior

This class explains how context and past training shape a dog’s expectations and behavior, even when no command is given. We will show how environmental cues and repeated training setups prepare the dog’s brain for specific actions.

Tuesday
,
Aug 25, 2026
4:00 pm
-
6:00 pm
Instructor(s):
Dr. Melanie Uhde
View full class scheduleRegister for HITS 2026
Dr. Melanie Uhde presenting Why Dogs "Disobey", How Context and Conditioning Control Behavior at HITS.
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Class overview

Handlers will learn why many training failures are not true disobedience, but the result of conflicting expectations or strongly conditioned responses. We will examine how classical conditioning, anticipation, and context can either support performance or create conflict between the dog and handler. The goal is to help handlers understand how dogs process information, so they can design training and handling strategies that reduce conflict, increase clarity, and improve consistency in real-world performance.

Handlers will learn why many training failures are not true disobedience, but the result of conflicting expectations or strongly conditioned responses. We will examine how classical conditioning, anticipation, and context can either support performance or create conflict between the dog and handler. The goal is to help handlers understand how dogs process information, so they can design training and handling strategies that reduce conflict, increase clarity, and improve consistency in real-world performance.

This session explains:

  • why many training failures are not true disobedience, but the result of conflicting expectations or strongly conditioned responses.
  • We will examine how classical conditioning, anticipation, and context can either support performance or create conflict between the dog and handler.
  • The goal is to help handlers understand how dogs process information, so they can design training and handling strategies that reduce conflict
  • why many training failures are not true disobedience
Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.
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About the instructor

Dr. Melanie Uhde

Dr. Melanie Uhde holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine in Germany and completed postdoctoral research at Columbia University, focusing on brain–body interactions relevant to behavior and stress.

She has authored 16 peer-reviewed scientific publications and completed advanced studies in anxiety disorders at Stanford University. In parallel with her academic work, she has over a decade of hands-on dog training experience, actively trains in protection sport with her own Malinois, and is a Certified Canine Athlete Specialist with a focus on physical resilience and longevity. Her work bridges neuroscience and applied training to better understand how motivation and resilience are built, expressed, and regulated in dogs.

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What past attendees say

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Go to HITS. It's a great class. Great conference. This is the third one that I've been to. I try and go every time. They change up the classes. It's offered for detection and apprehension or patrol canines. All the classes are great. You should definitely check it out. I'm going to try and come back next year.

‍

Greg Edlund
Broward Sheriff Office

Hi, this is Brian Laas. I'm from Arvada, Colorado. This is about my second or third time with HITS, and I've enjoyed it greatly. I like the vast amount of instructors' backgrounds, so even though I've come once or twice before, I'm always gaining a lot of knowledge. This is a great seminar for both the new and the old handlers. I think you can't go wrong coming here. It's a good time and well-spent money for your department.

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Brian Laas
Arvada Police Department

Hi, my name is Neil with U.S. Park Police. This is the first time I ever attend HITS and it's great training. A lot of different courses that definitely benefit my career. I've been a handler for 14 years now. I'm still learning and I recommend people to come down here and learn something.

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Neil
US Park Police

Been to hits a couple times, keeps getting better every time. This year it's been amazing, a lot of people, a lot of great classes, great camaraderie between all the agencies here. It's a good time, I highly recommend it.

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Unknown Attendee

Hi, Mark with BCBK9 here at HITS 2017, lets you know what a success it was. Tons of handlers, tons of great classes. We're really glad that we drove all the way out from Missouri and we're looking forward to 2018 being in DC and we hope to see you all there.

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Mark
BCB K9

Yeah, this is my first time it hits. It was a great time. Actually, I've been to a lot of conferences before. This is definitely the best.

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Attendee
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Secure your seat at HITS 2026

Legal defensibility is not theoretical. It is tested in court.

This class helps handlers and agencies prepare before that moment arrives.

Register for HITS 2026
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Explore other HITS classes

The Drug Canine Legal Update is one part of a broader HITS program designed to strengthen deployment judgment, detection reliability, and operational decision-making in the field. Additional sessions expand that learning across tracking, behavior, detection science, and tactical leadership.

View full class schedule
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