You know about dog training and you may have also heard the term behavior modification. Do you know the difference between the two? And how does that difference matter for you and your dog?
What is training?
When we talk about training we are usually referring to teaching the dog to do something specific. Typical training lessons include sit, down, stay, off, etc. The primary goal is to teach the dog to do an observable, measurable behavior on cue or signal (i.e. when we ask) and in all situations.
For example, we can start by teaching the dog to sit in your living room and over time work up to getting the dog to sit at the corner before crossing the street. Initially the dog has no reason to like or dislike sitting, but will grow to love it with lots of positive reinforcement. Getting your dog to sit in the living room can be done in a few minutes while getting them to sit at a busy street corner might take weeks or months. The hardest part of this training is teaching the dog to ignore the distractions of the busy world. Even though it takes time, training specific behaviors like this tend to be a matter of practice and reinforcement.
Example behaviors could include:
- Sit instead of jumping up on a person
- Stay at the front door instead of bolting through the door
- Walk at your side instead of pulling ahead on leash
- Settle on a mat (“place”) instead of running around, counter surfing or getting underfoot
These are concrete behaviors that can be described, measured and learned. They can often be easily taught and practiced in a group dog training class.
What is behavior modification?
Behavior modification (often shortened to “b-mod”) is a different beast. By its very name and nature we are starting with a larger behavior that needs to be modified is some way. We are also starting with an existing behavior that the dog is already choosing to do. This inherently makes it different from training, where we teach a new, neutral behavior that becomes positively reinforced over time.
Example behaviors may include:
- Aggressive behavior toward adults, kids or other dogs
- Reactivity on leash
- Fear of people, dogs, loud noises, buses, trucks and more
- Separation anxiety when left alone
If your dog is panicking or if they’re showing aggressive behavior, it’s no longer a matter of just teaching the dog to do something. There is a very strong emotional component. Behavior modification almost always begins by attempting to modify the emotional state of the dog. We need fear to become acceptance and for anxiety to become security. This makes behavior modification is much more complicated than simple training. In a human example, this could be the difference between learning how to play the piano (new skill, or training) and overcoming a fear of spiders (emotional component, or behavior modification).
Behavior modification is very different in another way as well. Because of this strong emotional component, there is always the chance to for the original feelings, and their associated response, to resurface. This means that even though your dog may no longer be showing any outward signs of aggression or anxiety, we can’t assume that problems are just “fixed” and move on. Your dog’s environment should always be managed to support the dog’s comfort and mental health, and to reduce the danger that your dog could hurt themselves or anyone else if they have that one really bad day. Management is always a critical part of any behavior modification plan.
Behavior modification often requires one-on-one assistance from a certified private trainer who is also a behavior consultant.
Do you and your dog need training or b-mod?
These are questions we use to assess the best path forward:
- What is the nature of the problem?
- How severe is the problem?
- How easily does your dog respond to interventions?
- Is your dog just uneducated on the correct behaviors, or your dog having emotional difficulty with the problem situations?
Have questions or want more guidance on how to proceed on challenges that you and your dog are facing? Reach out any time — we’re always glad to learn more about what you need and offer suggestions.
Originally published on ArlNow.com, August 2015. Updated November 2025.
