Which of the following statements about learning is false?

Understanding the nuances of learning in dogs is crucial for effective training. The statement regarding the trainer's ability to recognize that learning has occurred based on the dog beginning to defer to the owner can be misconstrued. While deference might indicate a positive relationship and some level of training, it doesn't directly measure learning in terms of specific trained behaviors.

Learning is typically observed when there is a clear change in behavior in response to cues or commands that the dog has been taught. This involves consistency and accuracy in the dog's response to specific cues, indicating a clear understanding and retention of the behavior. Therefore, the other statements reflect more direct measures of observable learning outcomes, such as changes in behavior or responsive actions to commands, rather than a general deference that could arise from various contextual factors.

In summary, while deference can be a positive indicator of the relationship dynamic, it does not serve as a definitive measure of learning in the way that recognizing specific changes in trained behavior or responses to cues does.