{"id":536,"date":"2023-07-18T09:44:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-18T09:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/flipsideviber.net\/?p=536"},"modified":"2023-08-08T00:15:01","modified_gmt":"2023-08-08T00:15:01","slug":"why-you-shouldnt-use-no-when-training-your-dog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/flipsideviber.net\/index.php\/2023\/07\/18\/why-you-shouldnt-use-no-when-training-your-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Shouldn\u2019t Use \u201cNo\u201d When Training Your Dog"},"content":{"rendered":"

As dog owners, one of the first things we say to our dog is \u201cno\u201d to communicate with our furry friends when they are doing something we don\u2019t like \u2013 but should we?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sometimes you\u2019ll hear dog trainers, or \u201cexperts\u201d say to tell your dog or puppy \u201cNo!\u201d in a firm voice, or stern tone, and that will remedy your dog\u2019s behavior when things are going wrong, or when they\u2019re getting basic commands incorrect, but I\u2019m kind of here to tell you that it just doesn\u2019t help you get where you\u2019re going and, actually, can be massively counter productive!<\/p>\n

I often withdraw its use for most of my clients and recommend most puppy parents avoid it like the plague! Yet, contradictory to this, I (as a professional trainer) use no in my training sessions with my dog (I\u2019ll explain, I promise!) but it sounds hypocritical, right? But bear with me, I promise it makes sense.<\/p>\n

While it might seem like a natural way to correct unwanted behavior, using \u201cno\u201d in dog training is rarely recommended. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why \u201cno\u201d is usually not an effective training tool and suggest alternative approaches to help your dog learn the desired behavior.<\/p>\n

The Problem with \u201cNo\u201d<\/h2>\n

Traditionally, pet owners use the Stern \u201cNo!\u201d and a waggy finger to rebuke their dog for inappropriate behavior from biting, to peeing in the wrong space. But there are several reasons why using the word \u201cno\u201d in dog training is not something I often recommended for the average pet parent.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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  1. No Has No Meaning:\u00a0<\/strong>To begin with, No has zero meaning, so when we churn our this word when our new dog or puppy exhibits undesirable behaviors, they\u2019re going to start creating an association, because our dogs learn well, and they don\u2019t want us mad, so, they will absorb that word and build a pattern of when we use it\u2026 but it could mean anything from Jellyfish to quantum theory to them.<\/li>\n
  2. Confusion<\/strong>: There is too much variability in circumstances, timing, and behavior, which can lead to confusion for the dog. For example, if you use \u201cno\u201d when your dog is chewing on a shoe, they might not understand that it\u2019s the chewing on the shoe that\u2019s the problem, rather than the act of chewing itself.<\/li>\n
  3. Can cause fear:<\/strong>\u00a0we humans are chronically bad at managing our tone and frustration when it comes to animals. And when we say \u201cNo\u201d it often comes out as \u201cno.\u201d then \u201cNo.\u201d then \u201cNo!\u201d and quickly we escalate that tone and that becomes scary for our dogs. They may not know what No means, but now it\u2019s a scary word.<\/li>\n
  4. Learned Irrelevance<\/strong>: The word \u201cno\u201d can become subject to learned irrelevance, meaning the dog may lose its understanding of the word as it is used too frequently or without specificity. If you constantly say \u201cno\u201d for various reasons, your dog might start to ignore the command altogether.<\/li>\n
  5. Frustration and Miscommunication<\/strong>: Using \u201cno\u201d may indicate that the dog\u2019s needs are not being met, which can lead to frustration and miscommunication. For instance, if your dog is chewing on something because they are bored or anxious, simply saying \u201cno\u201d does not address the root cause of the behavior.<\/li>\n
  6. Lack of Direction<\/strong>: The command \u201cno\u201d is meaningless without additional direction, as it does not teach the dog what you want them to do instead. If you say \u201cno\u201d when your dog jumps on the couch, they don\u2019t know what the desired behavior is\u2014should they sit, lie down, or move away?<\/li>\n
  7. Counterproductivity<\/strong>: Overusing the word \u201cno\u201d can be counterproductive and may not effectively teach the dog what you want them to do. Repeatedly saying \u201cno\u201d can create a negative association, which might make your dog anxious or fearful, hindering their learning process even further.<\/li>\n
  8. Punishment Just Isn\u2019t Required:\u00a0<\/strong>Modern dog training (or animal training in general) just doesn\u2019t require punishment like No or physical correction. We\u2019re beyond that! And we know that this training method? Is simply not as effective in the long run.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    No can be a huge problem, and sure, it\u2019s hard to know the right thing, especially when the training process is such a fluid and there are so many trainers out there telling you how to do this, or that\u2026 But my biggest reason to stop my clients saying No in their training is\u2026<\/p>\n

    The Dreaded \u201cNo\u201d Cycle\u2026<\/h3>\n

    This is one of the worst things that can happen, particularly in puppyhood, but with any dog, and leans into our own pessimistic nature sometimes. But a No Cycle, is something I refer to as when I or my clients get into this obsession of saying No. And the more we say No, the less good behavior we notice. Which makes us come to the conclusion that we have theworst dog in the world.\u00a0<\/em>Which often isn\u2019t the case, it\u2019s just that we\u2019ve convinced ourself they\u2019re this way because we say No so much.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    This is a big reason I ban the use of No with some clients and ask them instead to focus on praise to break the No Cycle, and you\u2019d be amazed, it\u2019s the best way to get our dogs re-focused.<\/p>\n

    Alternatives to \u201cNo\u201d<\/h2>\n

    Instead of using \u201cno,\u201d I will always recommend we focus on positive reinforcement and teaching the dog what you want them to do, rather than what you don\u2019t want them to do. Here are some alternative approaches:<\/p>\n

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    1. Redirect<\/strong>: If your dog is engaging in an undesired behavior, redirect them to a more appropriate activity. For example, if your dog is chewing on a shoe, offer them a chew toy instead. In terms of a shoe, I\u2019d probably recommend a pig\u2019s ear or a cow hoof or something that\u2019s got that slightly pliable, animal by-product vibe a this will meet the need that your dog has to chew!<\/li>\n
    2. Teach and Reward<\/strong>: Teach your dog the desired behavior or a mutually exclusive behavior and reward them when they perform it. For instance, if you want your dog to sit instead of jumping on people, use a verbal cue like \u201csit\u201d and reward them with a treat and praise when they comply. This is an example of a mutually exclusive behavior because if you\u2019re sitting you can\u2019t jump!\u00a0<\/li>\n
    3. Give\u00a0good\u00a0<\/em>rewards:\u00a0<\/strong>It sounds simple, but in the use of positive reinforcement, we always talk about rewards, and that may be a tasty treat, it might be a tennis ball, it might even be a real-life reward. But getting that motivator right, will often decrease the amount of No you feel you need in your life.<\/li>\n
    4. Manage the Environment<\/strong>: This is probably the biggest component of ditching the \u201cNo\u201d. Prevent unwanted behaviors by managing your dog\u2019s environment. For example, if your dog tends to chew on shoes, keep the shoes out of reach or in a closed closet! It\u2019s a great way to be proactive about training.<\/li>\n
    5. Address the Root Cause<\/strong>: Identify and address the root cause of the undesired behavior, such as boredom, anxiety, overtiredness, or lack of exercise. Providing appropriate sleep mental stimulation, regular exercise, and addressing any underlying issues will be the\u00a0biggest\u00a0<\/em>step towards remedying any issue.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      And don\u2019t get me wrong, you\u2019re going to learn along the way. You\u2019re going to make mistakes, but when you do, you learn something new for next time, remembering that we really want to highlight positive behaviors and teach new skills.\u00a0<\/p>\n

      Note:\u00a0<\/strong>Clicker training is very good at getting you to focus on the good stuff, if you\u2019re struggling and need a strict methodology to follow.<\/p>\n

      When I Use \u201cNo\u201d \u2013 No Reward Markers<\/h2>\n

      I actually didn\u2019t use no for a long time. I found it created that \u201cno spiral\u201d for me and added to my frustration.\u00a0<\/p>\n

      Now, I use \u201cno\u201d as what is called a no-reward marker (NRM) when we\u2019re learning new tricks particularly with my Shepherd because I deliver it calmly! And if you deliver it in a calm, even tone and pair it with positive reinforcement for desired behaviours, then there\u2019s no reason to not use No \u2014 but this is a very very human problem as a lot of people will struggle, and I did too!\u00a0<\/p>\n

      I actually started with \u201cNope\u201d Because I could say that cheerily when we were teaching a new skill. But that can be difficult for new pet parents, and I get that. So, whilst I don\u2019t\u00a0ban\u00a0<\/em>it, I encourage my dog parents to not use it.<\/p>\n

      Yet \u2013 I don\u2019t use it with my hounds, because they\u2019re not as smart in the traditional sense, and I don\u2019t feel like it\u2019s going to achieve anything in everyday situations. Where as my Shepherd I feel is smart enough to understand the different ways I\u2019m marking what he does (my hounds arent stupid, they\u2019re smart in a different way to Indie).\u00a0<\/p>\n

      The point here, I think, is that it\u2019s very much down to you. It\u00a0can\u00a0<\/em>\u200bbe used, but it\u2019s very much no longer the stern, grouchy \u201cNo!\u201d most people associate it with.<\/p>\n

      So remember, if we\u2019re using No as a \u00a0no-reward marker, it is essentially a signal that lets your dog know that their current behavior will not result in a reward, but (importantly) it does not carry any negative consequences.<\/p>\n

      When using \u201cno\u201d as a no-reward marker, it\u2019s important to keep the following in mind:<\/p>\n

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      1. Consistency<\/strong>: Be consistent with your use of the NRM. Use the same tone and timing each time to avoid confusing your dog.<\/li>\n
      2. Timing<\/strong>: Deliver the NRM immediately after the undesired behavior occurs to help your dog understand the connection between their action and the lack of a reward.<\/li>\n
      3. Positive reinforcement<\/strong>: Pair the NRM with positive reinforcement for desired behaviors. For example, if your dog jumps on you and you say \u201cno\u201d in an even tone, immediately reward them when they have all four paws on the ground.<\/li>\n
      4. Avoid punishment<\/strong>: Ensure that the NRM is not perceived as a punishment. Keep your tone neutral and avoid any negative body language or facial expressions.<\/li>\n
      5. Clear expectations<\/strong>: Make sure your dog understands what is expected of them by teaching and reinforcing the desired behavior before using the NRM.<\/li>\n
      6. Watch for frustration:<\/strong>\u00a0I find that if I\u2019m not being clear and indie\u2019s not getting it (for whatever reason!) that rolling it back and making it simpler is better and more productive over all. I always look for frustration in his body language, but typically when he\u2019s done he\u2019ll bark at me \u2013 and I\u2019m fine with that! That\u2019s his way of saying he\u2019s done and I didn\u2019t make it work for him. I make a mental note to make that exercise easier. Typically though, we rarely get to that any more!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        By using \u201cno\u201d as a no-reward marker in a consistent and positive manner, I find it helps to effectively communicate with your dog and guide them towards the desired behavior without creating negative associations or confusion.\u00a0<\/p>\n

        It\u2019s good to note though, that the jury is out on NRM\u2019s in dog training and there is no scientific evidence in its efficacy or lack of efficacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

        To No Or Not To No\u2026<\/h2>\n

        Whether it\u2019s with an older dog or younger dogs, No isn\u2019t needed to get your puppy\u2019s attention, it\u2019s not needed in everyday life. It\u2019s important to remember that our dog\u2019s emotional state \u00a0is just as important as ours, and if you think you can manage No as a no-reward marker, then by all means! Go ahead. Just be very, very careful about that No Spiral. \u00a0Dog behavior is complex, but in daily life we need to have a strong method of communicating with our dog, and paramount to this is the use of positive reinforcement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

        If you\u2019re struggling on this, I can absolutely help! Reach out and let\u2019s get you working with a multi-award winning dog trainer!<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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        \"Ali<\/figure>\n

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