Audio Article
Here’s my take on direction vs correction. Why is it that the first thing that many go to when working with dogs is “correction”? I’ve read many posts about a dog behaving badly, and the first response is generally, you need to take control and correct them. It seems that for many, the first reaction to a behavior that an owner doesn’t like is punishment.
Why not try teaching our dogs what we do want them to do instead. Or, if there’s an unusual behavior that has to do with the environment, spend some time or hook up with a behavior consultant to find out why the behavior is occurring, and get some ideas on how to help your dog with it. There’s a good chance that there was some kind of encounter, or that there’s something in the environment that’s compelling the dog to react.
Direction Versus Correction
Correction often comes from some form of anger or frustration by the owner. “NO!” said in a loud and disapproving tone, has emotion attached to it. The tension that the owner is feeling, is directed towards the dog, who most times has a stress reaction, and complies with the demand out of fear. The owner then thinks well, it worked. This must be the way to do it. The truth is, a dog does not know what you are saying unless there is already a behavior associated with the word or phrase. They are responding to your facial expressions, body language, tone of voice and even the smell from your sweat glands.
For example, If I spend time and teach a dog that no means to stop what they are doing, they would respond by discontinuing the behavior because they have been conditioned to respond to the word that way.
What if instead we set up specific teaching scenarios, or use the moments that the dog exhibits the unwanted behavior, to teach them what we want them to do instead. For example, for biting the leash when we’re walking. The first thing we need to know is that they might simply be over stimulated or tired. I know it’s two opposite extremes but in dog words, biting on the leash might be referred to as goofing around.
What if we used that situation, to teach them the drop cue where they let go of the leash. We could also either redirect them, with a cue for another behavior, or simply let them jump around with the leash until they are finished, and then carry on. I could see how it might be frustrating and time consuming if the owner needs to be somewhere. But if it’s just a part of the evening walk, why not. The point is, punishment or really, Positive Punishment, in dog training language, isn’t the answer.
There are also ways that we can use what we call Negative Punishment, which means, taking something away to discourage a behavior. For example, when a puppy bites the owner during play, the owner leaves the room for 5 seconds, and then returns. This allows the pup to know why you stopped playing, because they will only hold the activity in their thoughts for a short time. This is an example of negative punishment. We are taking something of value, in this instance, you, away from the puppy. This teaches him or her, that if we get bitten, we will be removed from the game.
When I think of anger, I think of a response to something that is done intentionally to harm or hinder. Dogs, believe it or not, don’t have that much complexity in their thinking process. They don’t do something to make us angry, or resist to get a reaction from us. They’re doing what they think is the right or most rewarding thing to do in the moment. The right thing, is a natural reaction or behavior for them. We are the ones that consider it an undesirable behavior.
Imagine with small children. When they put something in their mouth that’s not good for them, do you scold them and say “NO!” You likely won’t do that because they’re just a baby and learning. They don’t know any better. The truth is, neither does an untrained dog or puppy. My point is, we should not be angry at the dog when it’s us humans that are molding them, good or bad.
If we can think more in terms of teaching or coaching our dogs, rather than making them do what we want, they will be much more settled, and well adjusted members of our family. This at the end of the day, is what we want isn’t it? I know I do.
