“YES” training vs. “NO” training

Original Post March 24, 2021

Do you need to teach your dog what not to do?  I say NO!  LOL

I’m going to tell you lots about “YES” training soon, but first I want you to know about some of the pitfalls of using “No” and then mistakenly believing that we are training good behavior.

Dogs do not possess the ability to understand right from wrong in the way that human adults do. For this reason I would like to share with you why teaching a cue like “off” or “leave-it” or using the word “no” don’t work the way we might expect them to.

“Off” teaches the dog to put four feet on the floor when asked to do so.

“Leave-it” teaches the dog to come away from something when you tell them to.

“No” interrupts the dog from doing what they are doing in that exact moment.

In our human brains when we use these cues we have a further thought in our heads which is “and don’t do it again.”  Dogs do not think that way.  For the dog, there is likely little to no understanding of the value that humans put on these behaviors or scenarios.  They are simply leaving something or getting off something or someone in the same way that they would sit if we asked them to sit.  It’s just another cued behavior that they have been taught.

In reality, from time to time “NO” will escape all our lips, and there should be no shame felt for that.  Just always remember that it is simply a way to interrupt behavior, at the risk of repeating myself, it’s not a way to convey “and don’t do it again.”

So, you might ask, if “no” isn’t working what can we do? Use “YES” training.

With “YES” training we are focused heavily on humanely managing unwelcome behaviors while we teach the desired behavior.  During the training process management is critical, because it limits the pup’s ability to practice the unwanted behavior.  Remember “practice makes perfect.” That’s why it’s important to set up the pup’s environment so it’s close to impossible for them to do the things we want to discourage.

When trainers think of management we include things like:

• Leashes or tethers

• Gates or x-pens or crates

• Blocking access to areas where young animals can access valuable or dangerous items (electric cords, cleaning supplies etc.) or where they will notice and bark at things

• Offering appropriate enrichment and sanctioned activities is also crucial to management as a satisfied pup is less likely to make up their own entertainment.

In “YES” training we incorporate teaching the behaviors we want to see more often into our everyday interactions with our dogs.  Once again, “practice makes perfect.”  The icing on the cake happens when we make that training pleasant and worthwhile for the animal in question,  then they and we can enjoy the process.

“YES” training is most successful if we train throughout the day as part of our normal interactions with our dogs.  This sets a constant tone and relationship between you and your pup that will carry through from day one into their twilight years.  So be prepared to have the greatest success in every interaction by using happy praise, treats, and toy/play reinforcements.

What to have on at hand at all times:

• Wear a treat pouch, 

• Put treat stations around your house, 

• Prep food dispensing toys so you always have one or more at the ready when needed, 

• and keep a little squeaky toy in your pocket.

Some examples of “yes” training for common puppy and young dog problems follow.

This way of training accomplishes so much!  

• By training our dog to do the things we want them to do we are leaving less space for the behaviors we don’t like.

• The unwanted behavior is practiced less, the desired behavior is practiced more, and it begins to overtake and even possibly erases the behaviors we don’t like.

• It helps you create a super responsive dog, who at best is a joy to live with, and when less than a joy, is easily redirected to appropriate activities.  

• This is a dog that loves hanging out with you and doing things with you. 

We have these wonderful 4 legged creatures in our lives, for the companionship and love they bring to our lives. Using YES training will make you and your dog’s relationship the best possible.