EAT Problem Behaviors for Breakfast
Here at Dogfullife, we like to EAT problem behaviors for breakfast. We created an acronym for a framework you can use to solve common problem behaviors, because we all need another acronym in our lives. But really, it’s meant to help you remember it.
When your dog is doing something you don’t want, instead of yelling “NO” and labeling your dog a bad dog, think about 3 things:
Environment - How can I change the environment so that my dog can’t practice that problem behavior? How can I change the environment to set my dog up for success?
Alternatives - What alternative behavior do I want my dog to do instead? What alternative outlets can I provide for my dog to satisfy their natural needs or wants?
Test - Test it out. Is what I’m doing working?
White and black English Bulldog stands with paws on a table, staring at a bowl of crackers
Using the example of a dog that steals food from kitchen countertops when you’re cooking (counter surfing):
Environment - Keep the countertops clear when no one is there to supervise. Put up baby gates or use a leash to prevent access to the kitchen.
Alternatives - Teach your dog to go to mat when you’re cooking. Reinforce laying on the mat with food.
Test - Assess whether the behavior is changing.
Stealing those goodies off the counter reinforces your dog. So the key here is to change the environment, provide an alternative to build a new reinforcement history, and test whether your plan is working. Eventually you’ll be able to remove the baby gates all together. We know this is difficult, but continuing to keep kitchen countertops clear when no one is supervising means that in case your dog decides to test the waters and go exploring again, they won’t get any reinforcement.
Dog looking up through a hole in a grassy field
Using a different example of a dog that digs in your prize-winning flower bed:
Environment - Prevent access to the flower bed using covers, fencing, baby gates, or a long leash.
Alternatives - Build a sand pit in your yard. Reinforce your dog for digging in the sand pit with buried goodies like food and toys.
Test - Assess whether the behavior is changing.
Digging is a natural behavior for dogs, especially certain hunting breeds. Providing an appropriate outlet for your dog to “satisfy that itch” is enriching. After building up a strong reinforcement history with the sand pit, you can remove the fencing or leash. But if your flower bed is truly prize-winning, maybe you want to keep the covers on to prevent all those other critters from ruining your flowers.
In the professional dog training world, this framework is recognized under different names. In case you are already familiar with terminology from the professional dog training world or are conversing with other dog trainers, here is the translation. Environment is known as a management plan. Alternatives is known as a training plan to teach an alternate behavior and providing enrichment opportunities. Test is known as evaluating your management, training, and enrichment plan to make sure they’re effective at changing the problem behavior, and to iterate as needed.
Comment below and let us know what you think. Maybe I should hire my husband to come up with more acronyms. If you haven’t already, subscribe to the Dogfullife Digest and Dogfullife YouTube so you can get our latest nuggets of wisdom.