Getting Rid of 'Bad' Behavior: Why Management is Key
As a dog trainer and owner, I know that dealing with problem behaviors can be frustrating. No one wants to deal with a dog that's destructive, disobedient or aggressive, but correcting these behaviors can be challenging. One thing that many dog owners forget is that management is key. Rather than trying to stop an unwanted behavior outright, it's often easier and more effective to manage the environment and teach your dog what you'd like them to do instead.
Management
The first rule to changing the behavior of any thing is manage the environment. The more that any living creature gets to practice a behavior the strong it gets. It becomes a habit, and if you have ever tried to break a habit while ALSO still doing the habit you would know how futile that is! If more people used good management with their dogs we would have a lot fewer clients!
Choose What You Would Like the Dog to Do Instead
One of the most important things to do when trying to eliminate a problem behavior is to decide what you'd like your dog to do instead. Instead of telling your dog to stop doing something, like barking at visitors, give them a new cue, like lying down. This teaches your dog what you expect them to do and gives them something to focus on. Make sure the new behavior is clear, concise, and easy to understand.
Make the New Behavior Reinforcing to Do
Dogs do things because they are rewarding. If you want your dog to stop doing something, you need to give them an alternative behavior that's just as rewarding. For example, if your dog chews on shoes, give them a toy that's fun to chew on instead. By making the new behavior more rewarding than the old one, you're more likely to see a change in your dog's behavior.
Shaming Your Dog Does Nothing
Some dog owners use shame or punishment as a way to stop bad behavior, but it's important to know that this approach doesn't work. Dogs don't understand shame, and they don't respond well to punishment either. In fact, using punishment can make the problem behavior worse and damage your relationship with your dog. Instead of shaming or punishing, focus on rewarding good behavior and managing the environment.
Yelling at Your Dog Doesn't Fix It
Similarly, yelling or other harsh tones often have a negative effect on your dog. Yelling may make your dog scared or anxious (which is why you think they “look guilty”), which can lead to more problem behavior. It's better to stay calm and positive when working with your dog. Rewarding the behaviors you want to see and managing the environment can go a long way in changing problem behaviors and increasing your dog's confidence. If they are doing something that you don’t like then redirect them to what you would like and plan new management so they don’t get to practice doing that behavior again!
Stopping problem behaviors definitely takes some effort, but it doesn't have to be impossible. Instead of trying to stop the behavior when its happening , focus on managing the environment so they can’t practice it while also teaching your dog new behaviors instead. By making these behaviors reinforcing and managing your environment, you can help your dog feel more confident and well-behaved. Avoid shaming or punishing your dog, and stay calm and positive when working with them. With patience and persistence, you can help your dog become the happy, well-behaved pup they were meant to be.