A simple formula for changing your dog’s unwanted behavior

Reprinted with permission from Journal Newspapers.

Jean Donaldson wrote a fantastic dog psychology and training book entitled “The Culture Clash”; in that book, she coined a simple yet important training mantra: Dogs Do What Works. As a trainer, this is the first thing I consider whenever attempting to solve a dog behavior problem: how is this behavior working for the dog? How can I make it not work for the dog, and most importantly, how can I make another, desirable behavior work instead?

Lots of dog owners struggle with a pesky little canine habit nicknamed “counter surfing,” describing the dog who jumps up onto the kitchen counter to snatch sticks of butter, loaves of bread, and (gasp!) a freshly cooked steak. Luckily, the solution is fairly simple and can be derived from the Dogs Do What Works formula.

How it’s working for the dog basically answers itself: jumping on the counter produces fabulous snacks, much better than his daily kibble. Jackpot! So, how do you keep the behavior from working? The best and easiest strategy may be one of management. Secure all food items in sealed canisters, push items back from the edge of the counter where the dog can’t reach them, and don’t leave exposed food on the counter. After a period of losing at the counter surfing strategy, your dog should abandon it as futile and move on to other things. (Remember, the dog is like any other animal and won’t expend energy on behavior that doesn’t increase his chances of surviving and thriving in the world.) If your dog has been rewarded heavily for the behavior in the past, he will keep at for a bit before giving up. He will probably go through an extinction burst, where he’ll try even harder (one last try) before completely abandoning the behavior. Be patient and persistent, and don’t give up when the going gets a bit rough.  

Alternately, you could remove your dog from the situation by putting up a baby gate, closing the door to the kitchen or placing your dog in his crate during meal preparation. At this point, you may be tempted to abandon your problem-solving strategy, since the unwanted behavior has now stopped (or is well on its way to stopping). However, don’t skip the final step: replacing unwanted behavior with a desired behavior. There are thousands of behaviors your dog can exhibit that you would consider unwanted, and only a handful of behavior you welcome on a daily basis. So take time to build and reward the behavior you do want your dog to exhibit. In the case of kitchen behavior, verbally praise him and offer a cookie or two whenever he is in the kitchen with all four feet on the floor. The science of learning tells us that rewarded behavior will be repeated, so lots of cookies and “good boys” for not jumping up on the counters will encourage that behavior in the future. Or teach him to lie down and stay on a small rug in the kitchen, so that he can be present during family time without causing trouble. A tasty chew bone will encourage him to stay on his rug and remove his need to surf your counters for a treat.

A similar strategy can be used for dogs who beg at the table. First and foremost, do not feed your dog from the table! Leftover scraps are fine to give him (as long as the food is approved for dogs), but don’t give them until after your meal is finished and be sure to deliver them in his bowl, or at least away from the table. Even the tempting smells of your tasty meal can be rewarding to your pup, so it’s best to remove him from the table area by placing him in his crate with a chew toy or tethering him (by leash) to a heavy piece of furniture away from the table. Over time, your pup will learn that meal times are a cue for him to settle down in his crate or on a rug. Finally, praise him heavily for settling down away from the table. That tasty chew toy is also a great reward for being in his spot and not drooling on your lap!

Next time your dog is exhibiting a behavior that is bothersome, step back and remember: Dogs Do What Works. By working through this formula, you can design practical solutions to most problems and replace them with good manners.

Amanda Brothers is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and owner of Sidekick Dog Training in Bothell. She can be reached at (206) 849-8921 or visit www.sidekickdogtraining.com.