PUNISHMENT

What has this got to do with training dogs?

Every time you give a treat to a dog there is also the possibility that you won’t give them the treat. If the dog is expecting a treat and you do not fulfil that expectation you punish the dog.

Taking away the possibility of earning a reward is negative punishment. It can be an extremely effective way of not only changing behaviour in dogs, but also of communicating that change.

Every time we prevent our dog doing something that it wanted to do we inflict a little punishment.

Standing still to teach no pulling on the lead : PUNISHMENT.

Painting Chew-Stop on the furniture legs so they taste bad: PUNISHMENT.

Saying No when your toast drops on the floor to stop them eating it: PUNISHMENT.

Being put in the crate or back room for jumping at visitors: PUNISHMENT.

NOT ALL PUNISHMENTS ARE ACCEPTABLE

We must draw the line at punishments that might cause the breakdown of a relationship, or have welfare concerns for the dog, such as dragging around on the lead, digs in the ribs, hold downs, alpha rolls, and the like, because we have no desire to have a relationship based on fear.

What you want is a relationship based on mutual rules. No one gets everything they want. No one gets their way every time. Teaching a dog that they can earn rewards, be they treats, the chance for a game or our affection, for doing the right thing, has the consequence that when they do the wrong thing these opportunities disappear. Rewards and punishments go together.

Rules are necessary, consistency is vital, firmness can be appropriate, but brutality is not.