How can punishment be used to correct behavior problems?
The key to successful punishment is to associate an unpleasant consequence with undesirable behavior. Punishment must take place while the behavior is occurring, so that the pet learns what behavior leads to an unpleasant outcome and eventually learns to cease the behavior or avoid the situation. Physical or direct interactive punishment should be avoided since the pet may become fearful of the owner or of being around the owner in particular situations. The pet justifiably might become defensive when punished, leading to aggressive responses. Furthermore, even if the behavior ceases when the owner is watching, it might continue in the owner’s absence. In particular, whenever the hand is used as a punishment, whether hitting, pinning or grabbing the collar, this could lead to fear of the hand. This is an unacceptable consequence, since the hand should always be associated with something positive and never with anything negative. The use of punishment products may be more appropriate and more effective, since they are less likely to be associated with the owner, and are more specific and immediate than an owner’s voice or physical handling. Many of these devices actually serve to interrupt or disrupt the inappropriate behavior, so that the dog can be directed to perform an appropriate behavior, and as such may not be a true form of punishment. For example, the dog that is barking could be interrupted with an air horn or shaker can and immediately taught to approach the owners to play with a favored toy. On the other hand, if the pet is frightened of repeating a behavior because the environment is set up (booby-trapped) to deter the pet, then the owner does not even need to be present to stop the behavior.
Punishment should never be used to train a pet. Pets should be taught what we want them to learn through reinforcement and shaping rather than attempting to train them what we don’t want them to do. It is illogical to wait until the pet misbehaves and then administer something unpleasant. Punishing the pet can lead to fear of the owner, fear of handling or fear of particular stimuli (approach, reaching out, pulling leash) and the real possibility of aggression. If punishment is effective it can at best stop the behavior from recurring in that location, but will not stop the behavior (e.g., chewing, elimination) from being repeated at other times or locations. With owner-initiated punishment, the pet may soon learn to inhibit the behavior in the owner’s presence (and continue the behavior in the owner’s absence). On the other hand, when punishment is not sufficiently unpleasant, it may serve as a reward (attention). If the pet continues the behavior after two or three applications of the punishment, then it is ineffective and should be discontinued. Punishing the pet while the owner remains out of sight is a better way of teaching the pet to avoid the behavior altogether, whether the owner is present or not. This is known as remote punishment (punishment administered by the owner while remaining out of sight) and takes a great deal of preparation, time and forethought. Perhaps the only practical application of punishment is to booby-trap the area (sometimes known as environmental punishment), so that the dog is punished even in the owner’s absence.
What is negative punishment, and how does it work?
All of the punishment techniques discussed above are forms of positive punishment, in which the application of an unpleasant stimulus decreases the chance that the pet will repeat the behavior. Another form of punishment occurs when a reward is removed as a consequence for a behavior. In other words, the removal of something pleasant is punishing the pet because it is learning that good things are taken away if the behavior is repeated. For example, if the puppy is playing and this escalates to play biting and you stop the game and walk away, this is known as negative punishment.
How to discipline your dog: Be consistent and time it right
Dog trainers recommend disciplining or rewarding a dog for a behavior no more than five seconds after the incident or action occurred. For instance, if you found your dog biting the couch, don’t wait 10 minutes later to dole out the consequence. Chances are, they’ll forget what they did even a minute later. Do it right then and there.
Heres what that might look like:
Step 1: See your pup doing something naughty.
Step 2: Tell them “no” (or your preferred command) in a stern voice.
Step 3: You may choose to remove your dog from the environment or redirect their behavior–more on that below. Whatever you choose, follow through immediately.
Step 4: Do this again and again, as consistently as possible. For the first few weeks or months, this might mean keeping a close watch over your dog to ensure they’re not misbehaving when you aren’t looking.
How To PUNISH A Dog | The Right and The GENTLE Way
It might surprise you to hear this, but living with a dog is not all fun and games. No matter how cute our four-legged friends are, sometimes it’s necessary to correct their behavior.
But, what is the right way to discipline your dog? Some people think that punishing a dog is the only way to get them to behave, while others propose a positive reinforcement method, where your pooch learns through a reward-based system.
Knowing how to encourage good behavior in a dog will save you a lot of trouble in the long run, so it’s crucial to learn about the most efficient methods and training techniques. Trust me, your furball will thank you for it.
With the use of a remote interactive pet camera, you can use the power of a verbal, “No!” even when you’re at the office.