Types of Corrections

I opened the door, and immediately realised my mistake when I saw the cat on the steps. The dog saw the cat too, and quickly started past me. Just as they were about to chase the now wide-eyed cat, "Ah! No." They hesitated, and I pointed "Bed". They turned back into the room and back onto the sofa.

A correction is a controlled experience delivered to prevent or dissuade unwanted behaviour. This is distinct from a punishment.

Corrections are how we can stop unwanted behaviour from happening both in the moment, and in the future. While dogs have an innate understanding of corrections, their sensitivity to how they are delivered requires care and precision. Furthermore, as the intensity of the unwanted behaviour rises, so too does the intensity of the appropriate correction. If a dog is not first setup for success with good training of what they should do, and the trainer or handler equipped with a keen sense for their dog, intense corrections may quickly undermine your dogs trust. So to can badly timed, badly chosen, or missed corrections.

There are multiple types of corrections, but broadly we can consider the following:

• Pack corrections - some intuitive 'puppy' behaviours can be corrected without training, such as mouthing your hand too hard so you exclaim "no!".

• Interrupting Correction - doing something to snap your dog out of performing an unwanted behaviour, as they're preparing to do it. (e.g. your dog starts to leer at a passing dog, but your state their name firmly to regain their attention, and redirect their attention).

• Pressure Correction - applying discomfort to your dog sufficient that they decide to stop the unwanted behaviour they are currently practicing in order to switch off the pressure. (e.g. your dog is chasing a rabbit, so you recall them while applying stim with a remote collar to 'overpower' the drive for the unwanted behaviour)

• Consequence Correction - quickly following up a completed unwanted behaviour with an unwanted experience to create an unattractive association. (e.g. they steal a bite of their dinner early, so you put the food away and delay their dinner).

Further reading:

Leerburg: Theory of Corrections in Dog Training (PDF)