© 2007 Phoenix Behavior Consulting

Generally speaking, there are two steps in addressing your dog’s undesirable behaviors, and you must do both steps:

1. Remove the reward of the undesirable behavior.
2. Teach your dog what you want it to do instead.

Many people bark to their dog, “No! Down! Off! Quiet! Stop! Quit it!” And the undesirable behavior continues. Why? Because they (the humans) haven’t removed the reward of that behavior.

For example, if your dog jumps on people, what do people do? They touch your dog. They hold its paws. They bark at your dog, “No! Down! Off!” Some people push your dog away. Some will put their knee into your (larger) dog’s chest. All of these human responses are actually rewards for that behavior we don’t like. That’s why the undesirable behaviors continue — because we reward the very behavior we’re trying to get rid of!

So how do you teach a dog not to jump on you? Step #1: Remove the reward. Don’t pay any attention whatsoever to your dog. Don’t touch it, talk to it, or even look at your dog! Turn around and walk away from your jumping dog. A few seconds later, do step #2: Teach your dog what you want it to do instead. How about Sit? A sitting dog is not a jumping dog. Teach your dog to sit for attention every time you come through the front door of your house or apartment.

Remember:

1. Remove the reward of the undesirable behavior.
2. Teach your dog what you want it to do instead.

Training Tips > Behaviors 201 > Undesirable Behaviors

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