Show 57: Dog Timeouts: Why Dogs Need It + How To Do It The Right Way

Timeout for dogs is a powerful dog training tool that enforces correct behavior WITHOUT hurting your relationship with your pets. As a dog trainer, I am a big advocate of timeout for dogs as a way of discipline. In my training, I value connection before correction. I absolutely know that shouting, scaring, and threatening our puppies and dogs to obedience can only work so much. But I get it — training puppies and dogs can be hard and frustrating so furparents often resort to the old ways because nothing seems to work. This blog aims to remind you, dear dog owner, that there’s a powerful tool that you can still use: TIMEOUTS. In this blog, I’m going to talk more about timeouts, how to do it right, and how to make them truly work for your dogs. Key Takeaways: You can discipline and train your dog without using force or threatening them. In fact, this form of discipline is more effective. You can make timeouts more effective by understanding the foundation for timeouts including the appropriate time duration, and how to do timeouts with love. Dogs respond fast. Calm and consistent consequences is your powerful partner to ensuring negative behavior is stopped. DOG CALMING CODE: THE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR RAISING CALMER, WELL-BEHAVED DOGS Table of Contents: Timeout for Dogs: How Timeout Taught a Dog to Stop a Bad Behavior Do Timeout for Dogs Work in Improving Dog Behavior? The Truths About Timeout for Dogs That Dog Owners Should Understand Timeout for Dogs: Things to Know Before Starting the Process When to Start Giving Timeout for Dogs Timeout for Dogs: How to Make Timeouts Effective Best Benefits of Timeout for Dogs and Dog Owners Timeout for Dogs: How to Communicate Love to Dogs Even While on Timeout Timeout for Dogs: How Long Should Timeouts Be? Conclusion: Timeout for Dogs Can Be Your Powerful Partner in Training Your Dog and Encouraging Correct Behavior   Timeout for Dogs: How Timeout Taught a Dog to Stop a Bad Behavior I worked with a dog who had this habit of chewing wires. Check out the full video below for the story.   Now chewing wires is not just generally unsafe for Jack, the dog, but it also posed a risk for damages. The first time Jack chewed on the wires, I quietly took him into the bathroom and left him for a few minutes. After the first timeout, Jack continued to head over to the wires. Calmly, I once again led him to the bathroom. After he got out of the second timeout, he looked at the wires then looked at me as if saying: “I’m going to try again to see if you’re really putting me in timeout because of this.” He went to the wires for the third time. However, after the third timeout, he caught on: he was placed in the bathroom because he was chewing the wires. When he came out, he totally stopped going to the wires. It was a beautiful thing to witness! PUPPY COACH: START TRAINING YOUR PUPPIES WITH THE PROGRAM THAT HAS HELPED THOUSANDS Do Timeouts for Dogs Work in Improving Dog Behavior? In my years as a dog trainer, I have stopped multiple bad behaviors without raising my voice or threatening dogs. But it’s understandable that dog parents — like you — hesitate to give timeouts for puppies and dogs. “Doggy Dan, is leaving my dog alone really going to work?” To answer that, let me share a quick analogy. Timeouts for Dogs are Like Timeouts for Kids Raising a dog is similar to raising a child in many ways — they're both naturally curious and adventurous. However, as parents would know, shouting or telling off a child does not always work. It can lead to arguments, tears, and lots of negative emotions for both the parent and the child. While I believe that boundaries and consequences are important for children, I don't condone the use of fighting, shouting, or hitting. The same holds true for dogs. Teaching good behavior and correcting bad habits can be stressful, but adding more stress doesn't help. In fact, in my previous blog about dog anxiety and stress, I explained that when dogs a