How to Change Behavior in a Dog
Whether your dog is barking at the mail carrier, jumping on guests, or pulling on the leash, one thing is clear: you want to change that behavior. But where do you start?
The truth is, changing a dog’s behavior doesn’t require being “alpha,” using harsh corrections, or having years of experience. It just requires understanding how dogs learn, and how to use that to your advantage.
Let’s break down the basic science of behavior change—and how to apply it in real life.
Behavior Is Always Driven by Consequences
At its core, dog training is about understanding consequences. Dogs do what works for them. If a behavior is rewarding(in their eyes), they’ll do it more. If a behavior no longer gets them what they want, they’ll do it less.
This principle is called operant conditioning, and it’s the foundation of how behavior is learned and changed.
Key idea: Behavior that is reinforced gets repeated. Behavior that isn’t reinforced (or is replaced with something more rewarding) fades away.
Step 1: Define the Behavior You Want to Change
Be specific. Instead of saying, “My dog is bad on walks,” ask:
“Is my dog pulling on the leash when we pass other dogs?”
“Is my dog barking at people on bikes?”
The more clearly you define the problem behavior, the easier it will be to address.
Step 2: Understand Why the Behavior Is Happening
Every behavior serves a purpose for the dog. Ask yourself:
What is my dog getting out of this behavior? (Attention? Distance from something scary? A treat?)
What happens right after they do it?
This is known as finding the function of the behavior. A dog who barks to get people to go away has a different motivation than one barking for attention—and each will need a different training approach.
Step 3: Reinforce What You Do Want
It’s easy to focus on stopping unwanted behavior, but the real magic happens when you focus on building the behavior you want instead.
Replace the unwanted behavior with a more desirable one:
Instead of jumping → teach a sit for greetings
Instead of barking → teach “look at me” or “touch”
Instead of pulling → teach loose leash walking with frequent rewards
Reward the desired behavior immediately and generously. The more your dog succeeds and gets reinforced, the more that behavior will stick.
Step 4: Prevent the Unwanted Behavior from Being Reinforced
At the same time you’re building new behaviors, you also need to manage the environment so the old behavior stops working.
That might mean:
Using baby gates to prevent jumping on guests
Avoiding triggering areas while you train
Interrupting the reinforcement pattern (e.g., ignoring attention-seeking barking)
This isn’t punishment—it’s management. You’re setting your dog up for success while you train.
Step 5: Be Consistent and Patient
Dogs learn through repetition and clarity. Changing behavior doesn’t happen overnight—especially if it’s been practiced for a long time. The key is consistency:
Use the same cues
Reinforce the same way
Set up similar training scenarios
Celebrate small progress and keep sessions short and fun!
Changing a dog’s behavior isn’t about dominance or force—it’s about clear communication, motivation, and consistency. When you understand the “why” behind behavior and use positive reinforcement to shape what you want, you can build a better relationship and lasting change.
Remember: every dog is capable of learning. Sometimes, they just need a little help understanding what we want—and why it’s worth their while.
