· By Minou Tpain
Author: Denise Partlow
Instagram: @modernk9 Carolinas
Just like a positive marker (marking the moment a dog does something right), I also like to use a negative marker, marking the moment my dog does something wrong. Sometimes these are referred to as corrections but not necessarily punishments.
Some examples are using the words, “no”, “nope” or “ah-ah” the moment the dog does the wrong behavior or action-but it’s important to understand that your dog may not know what an acceptable alternate behavior is so you will most likely have to give another verbal cue after.
What does that look like in training?
Here’s an example:
I ask my dog to sit. He sits. I walk away and he gets up. I say “ah-ah” and then repeat “sit”.
One thing to note, though, is that it is really important that you intentionally use negative markers in your training, so your dog can develop an understanding of what they signify. If you just try using it in real life, your dog may only respond 50% of the time because they are guessing by the tone of your voice.
Behavioral Biologist, Karen Pryor, makes a really good point in her book, “Don’t Shoot The Dog.” She addresses the use of negative markers being paired with an aversive tool. She mentions that corrections, if given, should be associated with a negative marker; meaning using it as a sort of warning for the dog so the dog understands that when the negative marker is given, if the dog doesn’t follow through, something unpleasant is coming. This gives the dog the opportunity to avoid the aversive stimulus.
This post is not to encourage you to correct your dog physically, my goal is to educate those that do. Unfortunately, many dog owners don’t condition their negative markers, and so they end up over-correcting ultimately leading to bigger problems than they started with.
Providing our dogs with clear communication and fair expectations should be everyone’s goal.
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