26/10/2024
How Effective is Redirection with Dogs? Or is it Effective at all?
I’ve been pondering the effectiveness of redirection with dogs, especially after a conversation I had with a foster dog mom yesterday. In her case, using redirection seems to have created more problems than it solved.
**The Scenario**
The new dog, Roxy, has been growing bolder in the house and is starting to control space and take resources from the other dogs, even biting them in the face. Roxy has what I would describe as a sharp/shy temperament—she is insecure but also possesses a feisty side. When Roxy approaches another dog with a bone, the foster mom redirects her by calling her away and invites her up onto the couch. The mom mentioned that Roxy "isn't listening" and is becoming increasingly brazen around the other dogs.
To understand the drawbacks of this approach, we need to analyze what this scenario means for Roxy. Roxy is a previously stray cattle dog/border collie mix (best guess) and has been in the house long enough to display her true inclinations. While the foster mom is trying to stop the behavior in the moment, she isn't addressing it for the future. But is Roxy really "not listening?" My belief is that Roxy lacks clear feedback about what behaviors are acceptable. Redirect means "direct (something) to a new or different place or purpose." By definition, redirecting doesn't stop behaviors. For Roxy, there is nothing to "listen" to. When she attempts to take another dog's bone, she isn't corrected; instead, she is rewarded with attention and affection from her foster mom when she jumps onto the couch. This creates reinforcement for trying to steal another dog’s resource.
Roxy’s actions are forming a chain of linked behaviors that begins with her attempting to take a bone and ends with her getting praise and affection on an elevated surface. It’s worth noting her breed; herding dogs, particularly those that have had to survive in the wild, can quickly link behaviors.
**The Impact of Elevation**
Elevating a dog onto furniture or higher surfaces has significant implications for them. While I use outdoor elevation to help insecure dogs build confidence, in Roxy’s case, it can further her tendency to challenge others. By allowing her onto the furniture, she may interpret this as an elevation in her status within the pack. If she perceives herself as higher in status than the other dogs on the floor, she may feel entitled to their resources and try to assert control over them.
It’s easy to underestimate a dog's ability to link behaviors. For example, think about how your dog knows when it's time to eat or go for a walk. My dogs know when I finish my coffee and grab my shoes, we are going for a walk. This is about 5 steps before I actually grab their leashes. My own dog, Tipton, remembers where I placed mouse traps and checks them the next morning, demonstrating his understanding of cause and effect 12 hours later.
**Addressing Roxy’s Behavior**
The pressing question is how to prevent Roxy from stealing the other dogs' bones and possibly causing bigger issues. The most straightforward method is to tell her "no." For the sake of fairness, dogs need to know what is desired and must also understand what behaviors are not acceptable. Simply redirecting Roxy does not teach her that stealing is wrong, which could lead to serious issues for her in the foster home.
This situation is similar to telling a child not to touch a hot stove. If we only reward the child for coming to us when they approach the stove but never explain that it’s hot, they will never learn the potential danger.
With dogs, we can’t communicate these things verbally, so we must utilize clear dog language. There are several options for communicating "no" to Roxy. One effective method is to use a leash. Keeping a leash on her in the house is essential until her behavior improves. This allows for quick pop on the leash and moving her away, enabling mom to firmly convey "no" when necessary. Another way to communicate for Roxy to leave the other dogs alone is to move her out of their space with intensity and physical presence. A verbal "no" or "uh-uh" adds to the effectiveness. Dogs add verbal communication when their body language is not effective. Dogs do this all the time and people can successfully imitate it.
One might worry, “Will this make the dog afraid of me and lead to aggression?” Many people believe this myth, but it simply isn’t true. If that were the case, dogs would be terrified of each other, as they regularly reprimand one another. Providing clear and fair communication through correction is beneficial for a dog; it helps keep them in a safe environment. Saying "no" is not abuse, nor will it instill fear, even in the most feral dogs. (In fact, sometimes, this is where I start with the feral dogs if they are trying to bite through the leash.) Plus, the other dogs in the house will be grateful mom is handling this annoying new dog so they do not have to. Dogs may eventually retaliate against a dog like Roxy, and if mom controls the pack, the dogs won't have to.
Even though Roxy is insecure, she still needs to learn the rules of the house to feel secure. Clear guidelines on what is and isn't allowed will help her understand her boundaries better. There is a study titled "Does Pet Parenting Style Predict the Social and Problem-solving Behavior of Pet Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)?" by Brubaker and Udell that found authoritative parenting style helps dogs be more secure and happy. The authoritative (not autoritatiran) style is respecting and responding to a dog's needs and feelings but also setting clear boundaries.
Sometimes, redirecting is useful. Many times I will just call my dogs away from doing a behavior I don't want them to do and praise them for coming when called. For example, if they want to sniff a bush on a walk longer than I want them to, I just say, "Come on, guys," and they trot up to me. I also don't care if they sniff another bush in the future. Also if the dog may redirect (it's aggression) onto you, consult a professional. But there are rules in the household that need to be clear for stability and safety, things the dog cannot continue to do. We can't blame the dog for "not listening". We can only blame ourselves for not communicating what we wish effectively.
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