Pets

How can I stop reinforcing my dogs demand behaviors?

Breaking the Cycle: Stop Reinforcing Demand Behaviors in Dogs

How can I stop reinforcing my dogs demand behaviors? I want to reframe this just a bit. So your dog is demanding things from you and because they're trying to actually communicate their needs and the only way that they know how and unfortunately those behaviors have been reinforced because they eventually got what they wanted. Anyways, so there's going to be two sides to this in terms of decreasing that actual Behavior. So the first one is figure out what it is that you would rather have your dog do. Instead let's say for example you would prefer that when your dog wants something, they approach you and they sit quietly. So if that's the behavior that you want you're going to have to train the heck out of it. And what I mean by that is I would do multiple repetitions a day, I would be asking for the sit. I would be feeding it with a treat and then afterwards, giving them something else that they wanted. You want your dog to associate. If I do this Behavior, I get reinforced and then something else that I want also occur shortly afterwards and there's something else that they want. Could be things like getting at least put on getting their food bowl, put down access to going outside, maybe it's putting so throughout the day reinforce that as much as you want or as much as you can and then follow that with a thing that your dog wants. And eventually your dog is going to make the connection that when I do this Behavior, I frequently get what I want the other side to that though, is that if your dog does start engaging in, some of the old unwanted behaviors, I do what I call changing the picture. So changing the picture means I'm going to do something drastically different than what I am currently doing. I'm not going to turn my back to the dog and wait for them to stop doing what they're doing. I'm going to go check the mail or gosh. Time to go take a shower. I'm just going to do something totally different so that way my dog is learning. Wow! Well when I did that behavior, my human does something completely different. That doesn't involve me at all so this Behavior doesn't actually work for me. So I think between the two of those things, it's going to be the easiest way that you can stop that reinforcing your dogs to Man Behind

To stop reinforcing your dog's demand behaviors, you should train the behavior that you would rather have your dog do (like sitting quietly when they want something) as much as possible and reinforce it with treats, and then if your dog starts engaging in unwanted behaviors, change the picture by doing something drastically different.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/hzfujv1s2u1fndwunn8p.vtt

To stop reinforcing your dog's demand behaviors, it's important to reframe the situation. Understand that your dog is trying to communicate their needs, but their behaviors have been reinforced because they eventually got what they wanted.

To decrease these behaviors, first, determine the alternative behavior you would prefer. For example, you may want your dog to approach you and sit quietly when they want something. Train this behavior extensively by asking for the sit, rewarding with a treat, and then providing the desired item or action. Repeat this process multiple times a day to reinforce the association between the desired behavior and getting what they want.

However, if your dog engages in the old unwanted behaviors, it's important to change the picture. Instead of simply ignoring them or waiting for them to stop, do something completely different. For example, go check the mail or take a shower. This teaches your dog that their previous behavior no longer works because it doesn't result in any attention or desired outcomes.

By combining consistent training of the desired behavior and changing the picture when unwanted behaviors occur, you can effectively stop reinforcing your dog's demand behaviors.

Is my dog stressed because they do not have enough exercise?

Is lack of exercise stressing your dog? Find out the signs and solutions.

Is my dog stressed because they do not have enough exercise, that's very possible. I would be curious as to the behaviors that you are seeing that. You are perceiving as your dog being stressed because that's going to help us better understand how your dog is responding to exercise. And whether the question of if the exercise is long enough in terms of meeting, your dogs needs, or maybe it's the type of exercise that has to be the Bigger question here. So in general, if you have a dog who comes home after exercise and they are relaxed and they can rest and or sleep the majority of the time afterwards. Then you're likely meeting your dogs needs, and there aren't typically going to be signs of stress on the other side if you are perhaps not exercising or dog for long enough which is again hugely dependent on an individual dog. But I would say In general, a young adult dog is probably not going to get their needs met by 20 minute. Walk around the block, they're going to need some type of exercise, that is longer allowing them to move their bodies more freely. So it could be the type of exercise that you're doing. And the other piece to keep in mind, is that your type of exercise might actually be overstimulating to your dog. I see a lot of dogs that go and play fetch for, you know, 45 minutes, straight or play really hard with other dogs, for a long period of time. They come. Home. They appear to be physically exhausted for about 20 or 30 minutes and then they're up and they're ready to go again. So if you find that, then I would be looking at the type of exercise that you are providing for your dog, assuming that it's likely to overstimulating for them and focusing on exercise that maybe has a little bit about play. But then perhaps has a lot more time where your dog could move freely and sniff and engage in more relaxing behaviors which will therefore decrease their stress.

Stress in dogs can often be linked to a lack of exercise, but the type and amount of exercise is important to consider. If your dog appears to be overstimulated after exercise, try a different type of exercise that allows for more freedom and calming behaviors.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/ipeyzffzwkvnfnho5mvs.vtt

It is possible that your dog is stressed because they do not have enough exercise. To better understand your dog's behavior and determine if exercise is the issue, it would be helpful to know what specific behaviors you are observing. This will give us insight into how your dog is responding to exercise and whether the duration or type of exercise is meeting their needs.

In general, if your dog comes home from exercise and is able to relax and rest for the majority of the time afterward, then you are likely meeting their exercise needs, and signs of stress are less likely. However, it's important to note that the amount of exercise required can vary depending on the individual dog. A young adult dog, for example, may not have their needs met by a short 20-minute walk around the block. They may require longer periods of exercise that allow them to move their bodies more freely.

Consider the type of exercise you are providing as well. Some dogs may become overstimulated by certain activities, such as intense fetch sessions or extended play with other dogs. They may initially appear physically exhausted but quickly become ready for more activity. If this is the case, it may be beneficial to focus on exercise that includes some play but also allows for more relaxed behaviors, such as free movement and sniffing, which can help decrease stress levels.

Understanding your dog's specific behaviors and adjusting the duration and type of exercise accordingly can help ensure they receive the appropriate amount of exercise to alleviate stress.

E-collars: Mixed Feelings and Ongoing Conversation

What are your thoughts on e-callers? So I would like to think of myself as somebody who can take an objective viewpoint and look at both sides of any equation. My thoughts on e-callers, my feelings on e-callers, you know, obviously stem from my own personal experiences with them. So for example, I had a colleague who was fostering a deaf dog and conditioned some tactile cues for that dog using an e-caller. The dog was perfectly happy to respond, was not stressed by it, and to me that was a perfectly acceptable use of that tool. On the flip side, I have also had a number of personal clients who have come to me after using an e-caller and whose dog's behavior and behavior problem actually got much worse because of the use of the e-caller. And some of those cases were almost bordering, in my personal opinion, trauma. The dog was literally traumatized by the misuse of that tool. And so for that reason, I have just kind of some mixed feelings about this tool. I think that it's something that can easily be misused, but at the same time, I can also see situations in which it could be used in a way that did not put undue stress onto a dog. So it's a conversation that I feel like is coming out more in the dog training world. I think it's going to be really helpful for us to continue talking about this. So I'm not sure who asked me this question, but I'm really glad that you asked because I hope that this is part of something that might be a much larger and ongoing conversation regarding this.

I have mixed feelings about E Collars, as they can be misused and traumatize dogs, but also used in a way that does not put undue stress on the dog. It is important for us to continue talking about this in the dog training world.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/tom5jsiijx8er07ncwmf.vtt

Regarding e-collars, I strive to maintain an objective viewpoint and consider both sides of the equation. My thoughts on e-collars are influenced by my personal experiences with them. For instance, I've seen a colleague successfully use an e-collar to condition tactile cues for a deaf dog without causing stress or harm. In that case, it was an acceptable use of the tool.

However, I have also encountered clients whose dogs' behavior worsened due to the misuse of e-collars. In some cases, it seemed to border on trauma for the dogs. These experiences have left me with mixed feelings about e-collars. While I acknowledge that they can be misused, I can also envision situations where they may be used without causing undue stress to the dog.

The topic of e-collars is gaining more attention in the dog training world, and I believe it's important to continue discussing and exploring this subject. I appreciate the question and hope that it contributes to a larger ongoing conversation on this matter.

How does past trauma or abuse impact a dog's behavior?

Dogs' Trauma Response: Varying Impact on Behavior

How does past trauma or abuse impact a dog's behavior? Response to trauma or abuse is highly individualized. I think both of people and dogs. When I read this question I thought about some of the studies that I've read about people who have experienced traumatic events and when they look at those people's lives a few years after the event, their responses were often very different. Some people took that traumatic event and it changed their life for the better. Other people went through that same exact event and their life was forever changed in the sense that because of the pain and everything that they went through they were not able to live their life the same way that they had beforehand. And any one of those responses is also something similar that I see with dogs. Sometimes I meet dogs who have dealt with a significant amount of trauma and you would never know. And then other dogs that I've seen that have dealt with trauma you can absolutely see in the sense that they either avoid, are fearful of, or sometimes even aggressive towards the things that were involved in the trauma or abuse that they had experienced. One of my dogs is a tripod and he got hit by a car on the freeway and was brought into the shelter and had his leg amputated. And from that experience he now avoids most human contact and it took me a significant amount of time to build enough trust with him even just to do daily things in the house. Him not running away when I came to enter the same room, me just getting a leash to put on him, and things like petting or having like really close contact with humans was actually completely out of the question until about two years after I had him. So for him his trauma response was more on the extreme side in the sense that it's taken him so long to kind of get back to who he is but I still see those little layers still unpeeling as time goes on.

The impact of past trauma or abuse on a dog's behavior is highly individualized. Responses can range from seemingly no effect to extreme responses like avoidance or fear. It may take time and patience to help the dog feel safe again.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/cc3tx3hpotq4afxanegl.vtt

The impact of past trauma or abuse on a dog's behavior is highly individualized, similar to how it affects people. Just as some individuals may thrive after a traumatic event while others struggle, dogs can also have varied responses. Some dogs may have experienced significant trauma but show no visible signs of it, while others may exhibit avoidance, fear, or even aggression towards triggers associated with their past trauma or abuse.

For example, I have a dog who lost a leg after being hit by a car and going through amputation. As a result, he now avoids most human contact and it took a long time to build trust with him even for simple daily activities. It took about two years for him to feel comfortable with me entering the same room or putting a leash on him. Close contact or petting was completely out of the question until much later. His trauma response was on the extreme side, and I still see him slowly recovering and regaining trust over time.

In summary, the impact of past trauma or abuse on a dog's behavior can vary greatly. Some dogs may show no visible signs, while others may exhibit avoidance, fear, or aggression. It takes time, patience, and understanding to help them heal and regain trust.

How can we effectively manage a reactive dog in public settings?

Mastering Public Management of Reactive Dogs: Key Strategies for Success

How can we effectively manage a reactive dog in public settings? The first piece to effectively managing a reactive dog is to really understand that individual and then being very careful about which situations or public settings you're putting that dog in. So let me give two examples. So let's say there's a reactive dog who is really early in their training journey with their human, meaning the dog's thresholds are quite low, can't see a dog from you know a couple hundred feet away, that type of situation where they just don't have the skill set to navigate your typical neighborhood walk, that's going to be a dog that's going to benefit from being exercised elsewhere where you have a bit more control over what you're going to come across. So that might look like renting a sniff spot, which I'll put a link at the bottom of this so you can check those out, might mean walking in an industrial space, industrial or like business park space where you're probably going to see some people but it's very unlikely that you're going to be seeing other dogs, or just really any sort of other quiet space where there's just going to be less traffic that's coming along that might trigger that individual dog. On the flip side, if you have a dog who actually has some skills under their belt, it's just certain situations as in if another dog gets a little bit too close or pops out suddenly or something along those lines where they're having a little bit more difficulty in those specific situations, effectively managing a dog in that scenario involves the handler being really in tune to their dog and really in tune to the environment and it might mean using things like moving behind a car to serve as a visual block, it might mean doing things like a treat scatter just to distract the dog as another dog happens to go by, it might mean tightening up on that leash and kind of getting at a dog as quick as you can. So any of those things can be options depending on the individual.

The most important part of managing a reactive dog in public settings is understanding the individual dog, and being careful about which situations and settings you're putting them in. If the dog is early in their training journey, it's best to exercise them in places where there is less traffic and fewer triggers. If the dog has developed some skills but still needs help in certain situations, the handler should be in tune to the environment and use techniques such as visual blocks, treat scattering, or tightening up on the leash to help the dog navigate the situation.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/s1dc5dk1vv71icbalw2h.vtt

Effectively managing a reactive dog in public settings requires a deep understanding of the dog's behavior and careful consideration of the situations they are exposed to. Let's explore two scenarios.

If the reactive dog is in the early stages of training and has low thresholds, meaning they struggle with even seeing a dog from a distance, it's best to avoid typical neighborhood walks. Instead, consider exercising the dog in controlled environments such as rented sniff spots or walking in industrial or business park spaces where encounters with other dogs are unlikely. Choosing quieter spaces with less triggering stimuli can greatly benefit the dog's progress.

On the other hand, if the reactive dog has some training skills but struggles in specific situations, such as when another dog gets too close or appears suddenly, effective management involves the handler being highly attuned to the dog and the environment. Techniques like using a car as a visual block, distracting the dog with a treat scatter, or quickly tightening the leash to redirect their attention may be employed. The appropriate strategy will depend on the individual dog and their specific needs.

By understanding the dog's capabilities and employing appropriate techniques, it is possible to effectively manage a reactive dog in public settings.

How do genetics and breed traits affect a dog's behavior?

Influences of genetics and breed traits on dog behavior: Expert insights and surprising exceptions

How do genetics and breed traits affect a dog's behavior? I am not an expert in dog genetics, but you know who is. That is Dr. Jessica Hegman, and I put a link to a podcast that she did last year that goes over this very topic. She was involved in a study that examined the influence of a dog's breed and their behavior, and in that podcast she actually goes over the nuances and the findings of that study much better than I could ever explain myself, so I highly recommend that you listen to it if that is a topic that you are interested in. In a general sense, genetics and breed traits affect a dog's behavior in that they are more likely to exhibit specific behaviors that they have been selectively bred for. So for example, a golden retriever, we can reasonably expect that they are going to be friendly towards people, bitable, and enjoy retrieving things. And let's say for a jack russell, we can reasonably expect that they are going to be fast moving, potentially higher energy, and that they really enjoy chasing, hunting, and or killing small animals. Now there isn't any like good or bad in terms of the golden retriever is really great because they're not out hunting small animals and the jack russell is. It just has to do with what we have selectively bred them for. There also is no guarantee that a dog is going to exhibit those behaviors. There are many jack russells out there that have don't have any prey drive at all and there are some golden retrievers. I actually consulted with one that was killing small animals which was unusual. So I look at it more in the sense of dogs being more likely to exhibit certain behaviors and less likely to exhibit others, but at the end of the day I'm always going to understand that while genetics has a big influence over a dog's behavior, it's not the entire picture and every dog is an individual.

Genetics and breed traits can affect a dog's behavior in that they are more likely to exhibit behaviors that they have been selectively bred for, but no two dogs are the same and their individual personalities will play a role as well.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/ysemlidjqajwzv14gzxn.vtt

Genetics and breed traits can influence a dog's behavior by making them more likely to exhibit certain behaviors they have been selectively bred for. For example, a golden retriever is often friendly, trainable, and enjoys retrieving, while a Jack Russell terrier may be more energetic, have a strong prey drive, and enjoy chasing or hunting small animals.

It's important to note that these breed tendencies are not guarantees, as individual dogs can deviate from these expectations. Factors such as upbringing, training, and individual personality also play a role in a dog's behavior.

Dr. Jessica Hegman, an expert in dog genetics, conducted a study on the influence of breed and behavior. I recommend listening to her podcast, where she delves into the nuances and findings of the study. She can provide a more in-depth understanding of how genetics and breed traits impact a dog's behavior.

While genetics have a significant influence, it's essential to remember that every dog is an individual, and their behavior is not solely determined by their genetics.

Neither AnyQuestion nor its Experts provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment or otherwise provide professional healthcare services.

Physician disclaimer

Jessica Wheatcraft answers your Pets questions. See all the advice Jessica Wheatcraft has and get answers to your own Pets questions.

Follow me on AnyQuestion

Jessica Wheatcraft has been in love with dogs since childhood. As a teen, she began volunteering at a local shelter and discovered her passion for helping dogs. She soon joined the Prison Pup Program, taking service dogs home for the weekend to help them transition to the real world. She was majoring in Psychology when she adopted a pit bull mix named Harley. Harley's behaviors led her to hire Nan Arthur CDBC, CPDT-KSA, and KPA CTP, who asked if she'd ever considered becoming a dog trainer. She was hooked and soon started teaching basic manners and private lessons. In 2013, she started her own business, Synergy Dog Training, focusing on behavior cases. She became a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant in 2015. In 2018, she expanded her business to include a team of trainers and began mentoring others. Synergy Dog Training merged with an Instinct Dog Behavior and Training location in 2021.