Stop shouting 'no': a gentler training trick for dog owners

Stop shouting 'no': Gentle parenting trick will help 34% of owners struggling with dog behaviour

A recent nationwide survey has revealed 34% of dog owners are unsure about training, with recall, loose-lead walking and reactivity among the most common issues.

Telling your dog off by shouting or repeatedly saying "no" is a common way for owners to try discipline their dogs, but past studies have revealed using a negative reinforcement-based methods is actually the least effective method.

With gentle parenting becoming more popular as seen in wider parenting discussions and also now appearing in conversations about dog behaviour, Chris Maxted, director of retractable dog safety gate supplier Dog-G8 shares this key gentle parenting technique that can help dogs learn in a positive way.

Dog-G8 is a British family-run business leveraging over two decades of pet care expertise to design and manufacture high-quality dog safety gates. With over 20 years of pet care experience and recognition on BBC One's Dragons' Den in 2023, he has helped grow the company into a global brand, shipping dog safety gates worldwide.

Using the 'time out' technique when your dog misbehaves

"Separation works best when it acts as a reset rather than a punishment. By briefly removing access to attention or stimulation, dogs can calm down and understand that certain actions lead to consequences they don't enjoy, without adding fear or stress to the situation."

Creating boundaries without causing distress

"Leading your dog to plain areas like the laundry room and using a dog gate as the physical boundary allows owners to create instant boundaries without shouting, grabbing or chasing and they keep dogs safely separated while still being able to see and hear what's going on.

"That visibility helps dogs remain settled and supports faster understanding compared with full isolation behind a closed door."

Act instantly when your dog misbehaves

"Dogs respond to what happens in the moment, so any correction or separation needs to happen as the behaviour occurs or within a second or two.

"Reacting later often leads to confusion rather than improvement, which is why immediate, calm separation is commonly used to interrupt unwanted behaviour."

Consistency helps dogs learn faster

"Clear physical boundaries make it easier for everyone in the home to respond in the same way. When separation happens consistently, dogs learn faster and unwanted behaviour is less likely to continue.

"Mixed responses, where some people ignore behaviour and others react strongly, slow progress and can reinforce confusion."

Follow the 60-second rule

"For separation to be effective, it needs to be short and consistent. In most cases, under a minute is enough, with puppies needing even less. Once calm behaviour is shown, dogs should regain access and be redirected towards a more positive activity, such as settling on a bed or engaging with a toy.

"This approach allows owners to address behaviour while protecting the relationship, using clear boundaries, calm timing and consistent responses rather than force or raised voices."

Redirection shows what to do next

"Once a dog is calm and released from separation, they should be guided towards a better option such as chewing a toy or engaging in a calmer activity. This helps dogs learn not just what not to do, but what behaviour is expected instead."