Humane training emerged in the 19th century and was scientifically proven by animal trainer and psychologist V.L. Durov. Studying animal behavior and their natural instincts, and conducting numerous experiments, he developed the most effective training methods based on the laws of reflexology discovered by I.P. Pavlov.

In 1921, Academician V.M. Bekhterev, together with the famous animal trainer V.L. Durov, conducted experiments on mentally suggesting pre-planned actions to trained dogs.

Similar experiments were conducted in the practical laboratory of zoopsychology, headed by V.L. Durov. By the beginning of 1921, in V.L. Durov’s laboratory, over 20 months of research, 1,278 experiments in mental suggestion (on dogs) were carried out, including 696 successful and 582 unsuccessful.

Durov's method, which he called emotional, relies on direct influence on the animal's psyche; taming is achieved through affection rather than pain, so as not to induce depression, fear, or anger through punishment. Durov called his training method «taste reward.»

Experiments with dogs showed that mental suggestion didn't necessarily have to be performed by a trainer; it could be an experienced instructor. Suggestion was administered both in direct visual contact with the animal and at a distance, when the dogs couldn't see or hear the trainer, and the trainer couldn't see or hear them.

Dogs are docile, obedient, and quickly learn reflexive skills. They have excellent memories and are very receptive to the trainer's commands, which are often imperceptible to the observer. These qualities are used, for example, when a dog selects a given number from a group of numbers or «performs» arithmetic operations and barks to calculate the total («Mathematician Dog»).
According to circus trainers, a dog can remember over 250 words.

Vladimir Durov Jr. «The Mathematician Dog»