Why Yelling Doesn’t Work
Yelling at a dog is counterproductive and can have long-term negative effects. According to a study, yelling startles dogs and makes them anxious because they don’t understand what they did wrong. It erodes the trust between owner and dog, increasing stress hormones like cortisol. Dogs want to please their owners, so yelling only confuses them. It’s better to use a firm “no” and redirect their behavior.
Use a Firm No
When telling your dog “no,” it’s important to use a low, firm tone that is not yelling or screaming. Yelling can make your dog think you’re punishing them or scare them, which is counterproductive. According to the article “How to Tell Your Dog No: 12 Steps” on wikiHow, you should use “a neutral, stern voice as opposed to the happy voice you use for praise.” This lets your dog know their behavior is unacceptable without making them fearful.
Be consistent when using the “no” command and make sure everyone in the household uses the same tone. Praise your dog for stopping the unwanted behavior after you say no. As the article “How to Discipline a Dog: 5 Non-Violent, Actionable Tips” on Kaufmann Dog Training recommends, “As soon as the pup stops in their tracks, offer effusive praise.” This reinforces the desired response to your “no” command.
Redirect Behavior
Redirecting your dog’s behavior is an effective way to tell them “no” without yelling or punishment. The concept is simple – immediately after you give a firm “no”, redirect your dog’s attention to a toy, treat, or other positive activity. This serves two purposes:
First, it prevents your dog from rehearsing the unwanted behavior by shifting their focus to an acceptable activity. The more they practice bad habits, the more ingrained those behaviors become. Redirecting breaks the cycle and reinforces good conduct instead.
Second, redirection transforms “no” from a purely negative cue into a positive learning opportunity. Rather than just scolding your dog, you’re showing them what you want them to do. This helps build cooperation and trust.
For example, if your dog jumps on a visitor, say “no” then immediately redirect them to sit and offer a treat. Or if they start digging in the yard, give a “no”, lead them inside, and reward them with a chew toy. Over time, they’ll associate “no” with good things happening.
The key is to redirect before your dog has a chance to continue the unwanted behavior. Have toys and treats ready to immediately refocus their energy. This technique, described in dog training guides like [insert cited url here], allows you to stop your dog’s bad habits without yelling or aggression.
Reward Good Behavior
One of the most effective ways to reinforce good behavior in dogs and prevent unwanted behavior is through positive reinforcement training. This involves rewarding your dog with praise, treats, playtime, or other things they enjoy when they demonstrate the behavior you want. According to the Humane Society, positive reinforcement training uses a reward for desired behaviors, which makes the dog more likely to repeat them (Humane Society, 2022).
To use positive reinforcement effectively:
- Identify behaviors you want to encourage, like sitting calmly or coming when called.
- Have tasty treats or a favorite toy ready to immediately reward the behavior.
- Verbally praise or pet your dog when they demonstrate the behavior.
- Be consistent and reward every time in the beginning.
- Slowly phase out treats as the behavior becomes a habit.
With this approach, yelling or scolding is never necessary. Instead, focus on rewarding wanted behavior so there’s no benefit to misbehaving. This positive training helps build a strong bond between owner and dog.
Remove Rewards
If you find yourself accidentally rewarding your dog’s bad behavior, removing those rewards can help reduce the frequency of the unwanted behavior. For example, if your dog jumps on you when you get home and you pet them while they jump, you are rewarding the jumping. Instead, ignore your dog until they have calmed down and have all four paws on the floor. Then reward them with attention. This teaches them that calm behavior, not jumping, will earn your affection.
It’s important not to rewarddemand barking, play biting, or other unwanted behaviors as well. Don’t give your dog what they want until they exhibit calm, polite behavior. If you’ve been feeding your dog scraps from the table, stop doing that to discourage begging. With consistency, your dog will learn that good behavior, not bad behavior, leads to rewards.
Remove Yourself
Leaving the room or area briefly after giving your dog a firm “no” can be an effective way to reduce their attention and discourage unwanted behaviors. As pack animals, dogs crave human interaction and attention. So removing yourself temporarily takes away that reward and social reinforcement.
For example, if your dog jumps up on the couch after you’ve told them “no,” simply leave the room for 30 seconds to a minute without giving them any attention. Then return and praise them if they are sitting calmly on the floor. Repeat this process consistently, and they will learn that “no” means to stop the unwanted behavior if they want you to stick around.
It’s important not to make a big deal out of leaving – don’t speak to them or look at them, just matter-of-factly remove yourself from the room. You want them to connect your absence directly to their disobedient behavior. This technique can work for many behaviors from begging at the table to chewing inappropriate items.
Just be sure not to leave for too long, as your dog may not understand why you’ve disappeared if you’re gone for an extended period. Keep it brief, and be consistent, and removing yourself can be an effective way to teach dogs the meaning of “no” without yelling or scolding them.
Sources:
[Are dogs capable of staying when you leave a room?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Dogtraining/comments/99u72g/are_dogs_capable_of_staying_when_you_leave_a_room/)
Use Hand Signals
Using hand signals is an excellent way to communicate with your dog in a calm yet firm manner, without having to raise your voice. Some common hand signals to train your dog include:
- Finger wagging – Hold your index finger up and wag it back and forth while saying “no” in a firm tone. This is a clear signal to stop whatever behavior they are doing.
- Palm out – Hold your palm out facing your dog and say “no” or “stay”. This warns them to not proceed with what they are about to do.
- Downward palm – Put your palm straight down facing your dog and say “down”. This tells them to lay down.
According to Woofz, using hand signals for commands like “no” are very effective because they provide a consistent visual cue along with your verbal cue. With regular training sessions, your dog will learn to respond appropriately to these hand motions. The key is being very consistent with the same gestures and verbal commands each time.
Hand signals are great for situations where your dog is too far to hear your voice, like at the park. They allow you to clearly communicate from a distance. Just be patient, as it may take 10-15 repetitions for your dog to associate the hand motion with the command.
Train an Incompatible Behavior
One of the most effective ways to tell a dog “no” without yelling is to train an incompatible behavior. An incompatible behavior is a behavior that makes the unwanted behavior impossible for the dog to perform. For example, teaching a dog to do a “down stay” when people approach is incompatible with jumping up. The dog can’t jump up if they are lying down staying (1).
Some other examples of incompatible behaviors include:
- Teaching loose leash walking for dogs that pull on leash
- Teaching a dog to go to a mat when guests enter to prevent begging/barking
- Teaching a dog to look at you on cue to prevent reactive/aggressive behavior (2)
The key is to reinforce the desired incompatible behavior so the dog defaults to that behavior instead of the unwanted behavior. With enough practice, the incompatible behavior becomes a habit. It’s an effective way to stop unwanted behaviors without any punishment or yelling involved.
(1) https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Dog-Training-How-to-Use-Differential-Reinforcement-of-Incompatible-Behaviors
(2) https://goldenpawsdogtraining.com/reducing-jumping-up-by-teaching-an-incompatible-behavior/
Consider a Head Halter
A head halter can give you more control over your dog’s head and muzzle to aid in training. As explained by VCA Animal Hospitals, “Head halters provide more physical control than standard harnesses or flat collars. As the dog pulls forward, the nose loop puts pressure on the snout, gently closing the dog’s mouth.” (Source)
The pressure on the nose and muzzle can act as an aversive for dogs who pull on leash, discouraging the pulling behavior. According to Better Pets & Gardens, “Training via a head halter for positioning, command obedience & turning, or stop to ‘focus’ helps turn dogs that are triggered by the environment into dogs that look to you for guidance.” A head halter may be a useful training tool, but make sure to introduce it slowly and positively to avoid injury or fear. Always combine with positive reinforcement for best results.
Consult a Trainer
If your dog’s unwanted behaviors are severe or aggressive, it’s important to consult a certified professional dog trainer or behaviorist. They can assess your dog’s specific issues and create a customized training plan. Severe behaviors like aggression can be dangerous, so get professional help to correct them safely and humanely.
Look for a trainer that uses rewards-based, force-free methods. Avoid punishing techniques like scolding, yelling, shock collars, or other aversive methods, which will likely worsen behaviors. A good trainer will meet you and your dog to evaluate the unwanted habits in person. Then they’ll design a positive reinforcement training regimen catered to your dog’s unique needs.
For the best results, the entire family should participate in training sessions. That way everyone learns to handle the dog properly and consistently. Stick to the plan during and after working with the trainer. With professional guidance and commitment to rewards-based training, you can curb your dog’s problematic behaviors for good.