Did you know that you might be unintentionally reinforcing bad dog behaviours that you are actually trying to stop?
Many dog owners are surprised to learn that their reactions can sometimes make unwanted behaviours stronger. This can happen with behaviours such as whining, jumping, barking, demanding attention, or ignoring boundaries.
But first, what does reinforcement really mean?
What Does Reinforcement Mean in Dog Training?
There are many terms used in the dog training world, and one of the most common is reinforcement, especially positive reinforcement. However, many pet owners think positive reinforcement only means using treats to get a dog to sit.
In reality, reinforcement is much broader than that.
According to Merriam-Webster, reinforcement means:
1. The action of strengthening or encouraging something.
2. Something that strengthens or encourages something.
In dog training, this means that when a behaviour is reinforced, the behaviour is more likely to happen again in the future.
Positive Reinforcement Is More Than Treats
Traditionally, many trainers talk about positive reinforcement and use food as the main reinforcer. For example, you ask your dog to sit, your dog sits, and then you give your dog a piece of food. That is a simple example of positive reinforcement.
However, positive reinforcement is not limited to food. Positive reinforcement means adding something your dog likes in order to increase the likelihood that the behaviour will happen again.
Depending on your dog, reinforcement can include many different things, such as:
- Eye contact
- Talking to your dog
- Giving attention
- Touching or pushing your dog
- Letting your dog continue the behaviour
- Access to something your dog wants
Even yelling can be reinforcing for some dogs if they enjoy attention. In some cases, a dog can also self-reward without you giving them anything directly.
Example: Reinforcing Whining Without Realizing It
Let’s use the example of a dog who whines constantly.
You may try ignoring the whining at first, but eventually you might give in and say, “What’s wrong, Fido?” Maybe you do not say anything, but you look at your dog every time they whine.
In that moment, your dog’s whining has resulted in something they may like: your attention, your voice, or your eye contact.
Because the behaviour worked for your dog, the whining is more likely to happen again. And again. And again.
Example: Reinforcing Jumping Behaviour
Another common example of unintentionally reinforcing bad dog behaviours is jumping.
Usually, it looks something like this:
- The dog jumps on the person.
- The person makes eye contact.
- The person says “Off,” “Down,” or “No jumping.”
- The person pushes the dog away with their hands.
- The person may step backward or turn around to ignore the dog.
To the human, this may feel like correcting the behaviour. But to the dog, it may feel like a reward. The dog may receive eye contact, physical touch, movement, and attention.
For many dogs, that is exactly what they wanted.
Why Ignoring Does Not Always Work
Many people are told to ignore jumping, whining, or other unwanted behaviours. While this can sometimes help, it does not always work on its own.
If a dog enjoys jumping, then the act of jumping itself may be self-rewarding. If you step backward, your dog may see it as a game or a challenge to try again. If you simply turn around without giving clear direction, your dog may continue to reward themselves by repeating the behaviour.
There are also exceptions. For example, if a dog is very soft, nervous, or sensitive, yelling or physical pressure may not be reinforcing. Instead, it may feel punishing or stressful to that dog.
This is why dog training is not one-size-fits-all. The same human response can affect different dogs in different ways.
Dogs Repeat What Works for Them
If you are struggling with unwanted dog behaviours, it is important to look at what your dog may be gaining from the behaviour.
Dogs repeat behaviours that work for them. If jumping, whining, barking, or demanding attention gets your dog something they enjoy, they are likely to keep doing it.
Once you understand what is reinforcing the behaviour, you can begin changing the pattern and teaching your dog a better way to behave.
Need Help With Unwanted Dog Behaviours?
If you need help with behaviours such as jumping, whining, barking, or poor manners, our private dog training programs can help.
At The Crunchy Canine, we can teach your dog how to become a well-behaved family member while helping you understand why the behaviour is happening in the first place.
FAQ
What does reinforcing bad dog behaviours mean?
Reinforcing bad dog behaviours means responding in a way that makes the unwanted behaviour more likely to happen again. This can happen through attention, eye contact, touching, talking, or allowing the dog to self-reward.
Can yelling at my dog reinforce bad behaviour?
Yes, for some dogs, yelling can still be attention. If your dog enjoys any form of interaction, yelling may unintentionally reinforce the behaviour.
Why does my dog keep jumping even when I say no?
Your dog may continue jumping because the behaviour is still working. If jumping leads to eye contact, touch, talking, or movement, your dog may find it rewarding.
Can private dog training help stop unwanted behaviours?
Yes. Private dog training can help identify what is reinforcing the behaviour and teach your dog more appropriate behaviours instead.