When it comes to our dogs, we all have to deal with a variety of undesirable behaviors from our dogs to some extent. Of course, some behavioral issues are a bit easier to navigate, while others tend to be more (or a LOT more) challenging!

That said, the first step in stopping any unwanted behaviors in your dog is to interrupt your dog when they are exhibiting that behavior. That’s because you don’t want your dog to continue practicing the behavior and transform that unwanted behavior into an unwanted habit.

Unfortunately, while examples within popular culture also recognize the importance of interrupting the unwanted behavior, they often depict these methods doled out in a surprising, fear-inducing, and painful way, as exemplified in the example below:

Instead of doing it like that, let's explore ways to interrupt undesirable behaviors while staying within the fear free, force free and positive reinforcement philosophies!

Today, we'll focus on the power of a “positive interrupter” vs a verbal correction with a firm “no” when our dogs are doing something we don't like such as chewing on furniture or digging in the backyard!

What is a “positive interrupter”?, you may ask!

A Positive Interrupter

A positive interrupter in dog training is a technique used to redirect or stop a dog's undesirable behavior by introducing an attention grabbing sound. The positive interrupter aims to get the dog's attention and encourage them to disengage from the unwanted behavior and refocus on you.

To teach it, you can start by pairing your sound of choice, such as a kissy sound, with a reward such as a treat or a play session. The goal is for your dog to look at you and come to you when they hear this sound because they've associated it with something good coming from you.

Once your dog recognizes and responds to the sound, it's time to incorporate it in real life scenarios.

A Real Life Example of How to Use a Positive Interrupter

For example, if your dog is chewing on a piece of furniture, you can use your positive interrupter aka “ the attention grabbing sound” to redirect their attention on you and away from your furniture.

Then, you can redirect them to an alternative activity such as an appropriate chew. I recommend matching the surface that they gravitate towards as much as possible, so something hard like a Benebone, may be a good option.

Remember that your dog is not doing the action to make you upset, they are simply satisfying a need that they have.

Addressing the Root Cause of Undesirable Behaviors in Dogs

When we focus on addressing our dog's needs and the root causes for their behaviors, we are better able to understand them and thus teach them which behaviors are appropriate in our human world.

Reprimanding or Correcting a Dog Using a Firm “No”

Now, let's examine the use of a firm “no” in the same context and the potential downfalls of this approach!

Your dog is chewing on a piece of furniture, you see them and you feel upset, so you naturally yell “no”!

The truth is that your hope in this context is that your dog will startle or become afraid so that they stop what they are doing.

What Are Some Potential Downfalls from a Verbal Correction?

First, you may need to shout louder next time in order to achieve the same effect.

Second, a firm "no" delivered with a harsh tone can make a dog fearful or anxious. It may damage the trust and bond between you and your dog, leading to stress and insecurity in the dog.

Third, this approach is not focused on addressing the root cause. A firm "no" may temporarily stop a behavior, but it doesn't address the underlying cause of the behavior.

For example, if you have a teething puppy, their instinct may be telling them to chew on this surface in order to get some relief from the pain and discomfort caused by teething.

Simply suppressing the behavior can cause the puppy to seek additional chewing items, and likely do so in your absence.

Let’s Summarize Why You Should Use a Positive Interrupter to Interrupt and Prevent Undesirable Behaviors in Your Dog

A positive interrupter is a more humane, more effective, and relationship-building method as it emphasizes redirecting a behavior with positivity and clarity, while a firm "no" can lead to confusion, fear, and negative associations.

Let us know what you think in the comments!

Happy training!