We know how to teach a dog to respond to our cues. How about teaching a dog not to do something? Here are some tricks for reducing inappropriate behavior.
If your dog is misbehaving, the first approach should be to focus on what you would like it to do. It’s easy to see the bad stuff, but try to envision what good behavior would look like. For example, if your dog jumps on visitors, imagine him going quietly to his bed instead. Or if she digs in your garden, think about her chewing contentedly on a marrow bone. Then, using special rewards, teach your dog this alternative behavior.
Another strategy is to reward anything your dog does, except the behavior you are trying to reduce. If your dog paws at you for attention, reward sitting, lying down, rolling over, chewing her Kong™, anything but pawing! While you are doing this, remember that anything you pay attention to is reinforced! Even a verbal “correction” can have the effect of giving the dog attention, and end up making the unwanted behavior stronger.
If these approaches don’t work, you may have to resort to punishment. We never recommend physical punishment or harsh verbal corrections. The most effective form of punishment for family dogs is a “time out.” Here’s how to do it:
- Identify clearly the behavior you want to reduce. Examples may include jumping, excessive barking, mouthing, etc. (Puppy nipping requires a different approach; see our handout, No More Nipping, for details.)
- Use a “warning signal” such as “Too bad!” immediately as your dog does the unwanted behavior.
- Quickly remove the dog to an isolated area. This can be another room of the house that has been “puppy proofed” or a crate. If you use the dog’s sleeping crate or den, it is important to be sure that it has happy times there as well, so that it will not be seen solely as a punishment place. But when used for a time out, the area should be boring—without people or toys! It can be easier to relocate to dog if it wears a light leash or “drag line” in the house. For dogs that are difficult to handle, a head halter is useful as well.
- Keep the dog isolated for a short time. A one or two minute duration is usually sufficient. Then allow the dog to return as long as it exhibits good behavior.
- Be sure to use a time out for every instance of the unwanted behavior. The consequence must be consistent in order to change the dog’s behavior.
To improve the effectiveness of your time outs, be sure to give the dog an opportunity to perform an alternative behavior that can earn a reward. For example, train your jumping dog to sit on command and reward that!
If your time outs don’t seem to be working, check to be sure you have clearly identified the behavior, used the warning signal at the right time, selected an appropriate time out area and been consistent in using the method. Over time, this procedure almost always works if the steps are followed.
A note of caution: Time outs will not be effective for behaviors that result from fear or anxiety, and may actually make them worse. (See our handout on Warning Signals and Bite Prevention to identify the signals of stress.) If your dog is showing signs of being upset, contact us for a behavioral consultation to determine the best approach.
Copyright © 2006 by R. I. Dog Guy. All rights reserved. |