Replacement Behaviours

Replacement Behaviours

A replacement behavior is what you teach your dog to do instead of the problem behavior.

The key to making this work is when replacement behavior becomes a more efficient or more effective way for the dog to earn the functional reward than the original problem behavior(s).



Let’s go to the example of the dog who rushes across the room, barks, and scratches the door when you reach for your keys or their leash. If you clip on the leash and open the door to let the dog out after they do all of that, you are providing them a functional reward (the fun outing) for this behavior and you will have to repaint your door much more often.

If that has happened with your dog, your best strategy is to start requiring them to sit before you clip the leash on. If the dog is bouncing around, simply set down the leash and patiently, silently refuse to clip the leash to the collar until they sit. Sitting becomes the replacement behavior for jumping and acting crazy because you have made going for a walk contingent upon polite behavior: your dog gets to go on a walk if, and only if, they are calm.

Making the functional reward of walks and car rides contingent upon sitting will quickly calm down the situation at your door.

Still having trouble?  then book a private session and we will come and step you through it because that's what we do.

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