When a dog is performing an undesirable act, for example, pulling on the lead, barking, nipping at the kids etc, our instant assumption is to issue a correction to stop the dog doing the behaviour.
The correction in the behaviour circles, this is known as a positive punishment.
That is, something is given (positive) in the event the behaviour will decrease (punishment).
This is by far the easiest way us as humans know how to stop dog problems but it is by far the least effective.
However, for it to be effective, you must do 4 things in giving that correction or punishment, or it will not be effective or long lasting.
1.
It must be immediate.
You have a window of 1-2 seconds to use the correction.
Anytime after that, it is wasted and the dog has now idea what the punishment is for.
So don't even think of punishing the dog if you come home and find your shoe chewed, they will have no idea what they are being punished for.
2.
It must be big.
Rain fire and brimstone.
If you want a correction to be effective, it must be given in such a way that if is very uncomfortable for the dog.
If the correction is trite, it will not serve as an aversive in any way to the dog and you will be wasting your time.
3.
It must be given every single time.
If you are not consistent in giving out this correction every single time the dog does the behaviour, then you will probably extinguish the behaviour.
The dog must have no option but to think if it performs this behaviour, it will be corrected.
If the behaviour is strong and reinforced well (because that is the reason they are doing it in the first place) it will sample if it thinks it can get away with it.
4.
It must be associated with the unwanted behaviour.
Do not use correction on everything and sundry the dog does.
If you indiscriminately hand out the corrections, you will confuse the dog and it will all be a waste of time.
In using punishment in dog training, there are some side effects you must be aware of.
a) There will be association with the person giving the punishment and in turn, may effect your relationship with the dog, I mean, who wants to go to someone who always hurts you.
b) The dog may begin inhibiting lots of positive behaviour when you are around and this will make it hard to do any type of training.
c) The possibility of aggression on the punisher.
Like anything in life, if threatened enough, your dog's may retaliate in aggression, then you have a whole other kettle of fish on your hands.
I use corrections or positive punishment in training dogs, but I quickly try to use a positive re-inforcer very quickly to channel behaviours to another outlet.
This is but one article I have covered in overcoming behavioural problems in dogs.
I have many more on my website as well as many interesting police dog stories as well.