There has been a shift in many peoples view of discipline, including when it comes to our dogs. Many newer trainers are saying we should never discipline our dogs anymore and to only use positive reinforcement methods. However, we think it is often more harmful (and frustrating to the dog) to never tell them if we dislike something, often these dogs live long periods in a frustrated, anxious or overly-stimulated mindset. However, we do agree it is unfair to never tell them you dislike something, and then blow up at them because you are fed up with it. Discipline often does not need to be harsh and can make a world of difference in helping our dogs live happier and healthier lives in our human world and in turn earn more privileges where they can do more things with us as we can trust them to be polite and safely under control in a variety of settings!
Corrections are Natural:
Consequences are not a bad thing. Our human world is full of consequences. If you decide to rob a bank, you will likely end up in jail. If you don't show up to work, you may risk getting fired. If you don't do your homework, you will likely get a bad grade. The world would be chaos if there wasn't any consequences for undesirable actions or behaviors.
Many people think corrections are unfair or mean to the dog, when in reality the world is full of natural consequences. I would rather my dog learn that there is a consequence for not listening when I call them to come to me in a training session vs them experiencing a real life consequence by getting hit by a car because they decide to chase a bunny across a road. If your solution is to have the dog on leash or always in a small fenced in yard I would argue that most dogs would consider that just as aversive if not more so than implementing consequences to follow through if they don't respond to a command so your dog can live a fuller life where they get to do more things like getting to go off-leash hiking or playing fetch in a large grassy field.
Most dogs take to corrections (consequences) very readily. When a puppy is being annoying to their mom, the mom may growl or snap at them to tell them to knock it off. In general there are corrections/consequences in life. Why did we all of a sudden start thinking that there shouldn't be any consequences in our dog's lives? It's a part of the learning process and helps us learn what is right and what is wrong.
On a day to day basis, I am surprised at how much people are willing to put up with with their dogs in the home as well. Some constantly taking things off the counter, chewing up things they shouldn't, etc. Instead of simply adding an appropriate interrupter for things we dislike, people often are constantly frustrated with the dog (putting strain on their relationship with their dog) or putting the dog away in a kennel or room so they can have some peace. Many of these behaviors are very simple and quick to get rid of with implementing an appropriate interrupter for the dog. Seeing how much less stress the human (and dog) have after clear communication is used is amazing!
Corrections vs. Interrupters:
There are many types of corrections or consequences, but I generally categorize them into one of two categories. A "correction" is some kind of consequence for not following a command. Whereas an "interrupter" is an automatic consequence for an inappropriate behavior.
Barking is a good example to explain both of these. Some people want their dogs to bark to alert them when someone comes up to the door. If we look and it is our friend we may teach a "Quiet" type of cue, and if the dog barks after the cue to be quiet is given, then there is a consequence of some kind. Some people want zero barking whatsoever, so they may decide to use an interrupter where a consequence happens immediately after or as they bark so the dog learns that the act of barking receives an immediate consequence.
Generally speaking, corrections are consequences given for not following obedience commands (that the dog already knows/understands), such as not listening to "come!". Generally, you will have taught the skill through positive reinforcement and when the dog understands the skill, but decides another temptation is too exciting or they just would rather not do what is asked, then a correction is given in order to increase the reliability of the command.
Interrupters are often used for things where the dog is allowed to do anything (they are not being asked to do a specific behavior), but they just are not allowed to: jump on the counter, dig in the yard, chew on the shoe/plant/furniture, etc. There is no verbal command given, the interrupter/consequence happens as soon as the undesired behavior occurs. (Such as when you touch a hot stove, there is an automatic consequence and you will think twice before touching a hot stove again). We want the dog to have the association that the counter, the plant, the shoe, does something whenever they interact with it causing them to learn to avoid doing those behaviors. If we yell at our dog for jumping on the counter, many dogs will learn to not jump on the counter while you are watching them, but when you get distracted they will take the opportunity to snag something off the counter vs. if we implement an interrupter that happens as soon as they touch the counter without saying anything at all, they think the counter gave the consequence. We often find the use of a vibration collar, citronella collar, or high quality e-collar to be the most useful to implement interrupters as you do not need to be near the dog or get up and can quickly teach your dog to only make good decisions in the house and then we do not have to manage them for as long or they earn more time out of a crate, etc!
At the end of the day, we have seen time and time again that discipline makes things much more clear to the dog and therefore makes things less stressful. Both people and dogs thrive in environments where there is structure with clear rules and expectations and understand the consequences for not doing what is expected.
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