Should I Ignore My Dog’s Unwanted Behavior?

Ignoring a behavior does not modify it. You are literally ignoring it. If I say something disrespectful to you and you ignore me, but praise me when I say something kind, have you taught me not to be disrespectful? No. You have taught me that I can take advantage of you, that I can disrespect you and still benefit from our relationship.

Call me out on my disrespect, educate me on what I have done wrong, give me an incentive to change, and I will no longer disrespect you. I will still get the praise when I am kind and I will be kind because you have taught me that my actions affect others.

The same goes for a dog. Ignore a moment of disrespect, fear, anxiety, aggression, or overstimulation and that moment goes unchecked. The dog doesn’t learn anything about that moment, they don’t learn that they need to modify that behavior. Lean too heavily on rewards to modify your dog’s behavior and you start to form a relationship where the dog learns that they don’t have to be mindful of their actions, they will get a reward no matter what. 

Consequences for our actions are part of nature. The implementation of consequences actually gives us a healthy brain chemistry and promotes learning if they are used properly. If you are not sure how to begin the conversation with your dog about accountability or consequences, hire a balanced trainer who can help you bridge the communication. There is nuance to discipline, and it goes hand in hand with an immense amount of empathy, respect, and understanding.