How can I keep my dog from barking?
The first question you should ask yourself is, “What’s causing my dog to bark?” At Beyond the Dog, we focus on functional behavior training, which means we aim to understand the reason behind the barking, not just the barking itself. Does your dog bark by their food bowl, trying to tell you he is hungry? Or does your dog bark at the neighbors through your window, trying to make them leave? Because these functions have different causes, the treatments will also differ. Suppose you’d like more information on behavior modification. In that case, we discuss this in more detail in our articles “How Can I Help My Reactive Dog?” and “What is Behavior Modification with Dogs?”
What’s causing my dog’s aggressive behavior?
A dog can be aggressive for various reasons, including genetic factors, negative experiences, and not being socialized enough when younger. These behaviors can become self-reinforcing as time passes, resulting in more severe behavioral issues. For example, if your dog barks at the delivery driver, telling them to “leave,” their behavior will be reinforced because the delivery driver will always leave. The delivery driver didn’t leave because the dog was barking, but the dog learned that barking resulted in the delivery driver leaving. Each time a delivery driver arrives, the barking behavior is reinforced, worsening the behavior as time goes on.
Do you use punishers in training?
In behavioral modification terms, a punisher lowers the chances of the behavior happening again. At Beyond the Dog, we use only humane training methods, following the guidelines of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists. We do not use prong/pinch collars, choke chains, or electronic shock collars. Instead, Beyond the Dog uses positive reinforcement in its training but will implement consequences through leash pressure, time outs, and other non-painful, humane alternatives.
How is a dog behaviorist different from a dog trainer?
Dog trainers typically specialize in obedience training or teaching specific tasks, such as field dogs or agility. Dog behaviorists will perform obedience training and have a deeper understanding of how dogs learn and behave. This includes behavioral issues such as biting, reactivity, and housebreaking. A dog behaviorist can also identify behavioral issues in puppies at an early age.
Can trainers guarantee their results?
Unfortunately, behaviorists and trainers cannot guarantee results any more than a teacher can guarantee a student’s success. It is unethical to guarantee 100% results, as training success depends on various factors, including the owner’s commitment to reinforcing learned behaviors and consistency in maintaining the training over time. However, we can confidently say that Beyond the Dog has taught thousands of dogs with various behavioral issues. During this time, we apply science-based training methods to successfully modify behavior, leading to lasting results and happy clients.
Which is more effective for dogs: positive reinforcement or negative reinforcement?
What is the difference between positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement? An example of positive reinforcement in training would be giving your dog a treat after successfully doing the “stay” command. Your dog will be more likely to repeat the “stay” command due to the reward of a treat. Negative reinforcement is when behavior becomes more frequent because something unpleasant is taken away once the behavior is performed. An example of negative reinforcement would be a dog being shocked when it fails to follow the “sit” command, with the discomfort of being shocked being removed once the dog sits. Your dog will learn to sit in the future to avoid being shocked. People would choose positive reinforcement, and dogs are no different! A recent study has shown that dogs who receive negative reinforcement have considerably higher cortisol levels (a stress hormone) than dogs who receive positive reinforcement training.