Instead of dealing with things like the psyche and the soul or the mind , he tried to look at things from an empirical perspective.
Dogs seem to learn patterns far faster in social situations, than in solitary situations.
Even insects learn, especially if the stimuli and test are based on physiological abilities that exist for the species of animal. One of the mitigating factors in PRT is motivation and the reward. And PRT works. Quickly, quietly, kindly.