POSITIVE PUNISHMENT

has long been a commonly used technique in old-school dog training. This simply means using something that the dog finds aversive. This is added to their environment. It can be a word or gesture — such as shouting at the dog or tapping it on the nose — or even something as simple as a stare. These are all forms of punishment that are introduced when the behaviour of the dog is undesired.

There is a lot of criticism of this approach and rightly so in many cases. Bullying or the physical abuse of any dog is never required. However, used correctly light positive punishment is valuable.

Like children, all dogs need boundaries.

It is also extremely important that all dogs — whether they are a pet or working dog — have respect.

Some dogs rarely require any form of positive punishment. Their nature means that they need no more than a simple look or slightly altered tone of voice to understand. However, others by nature are more likely to test and push their boundaries. Tone of voice is invaluable and one thing I use with all my dogs. When they are displaying a behaviour I do not want, such as excessive licking or jumping up, I will use a firm ‘no’ or ‘ah ah’. The tone is very different to the one I use when they do something good.

Dogs can pick up on emotion very well through body language and tone of voice. This is why it is so important — particularly when they are learning and/or are young — to sound and act excited and happy when they have done something right. For the vast majority of the time your tone should be calm, confident and relatively quiet. The dog is much more likely then to respond if ever you do need to raise your voice.

“Some dogs by nature are more likely to test and push their boundaries”

Ellena uses tone of voice to let her dogs know she disapproves of their behaviour