When people hear the word extinction in dog training, it often sounds harsh or intimidating. In reality, extinction is not about ignoring your dog, withholding care, or letting behaviors spiral out of control. Extinction simply describes what happens when a behavior that used to “work” for the dog no longer gets the result it used to get. Understanding this process is critical to long-term behavior change, especially when we are teaching dogs better, more appropriate ways to meet their needs.
Most modern training relies on something called differential reinforcement, even if it isn’t labeled that way. Differential reinforcement means we actively reward one behavior while not rewarding another. For example, we might reward a dog for sitting calmly instead of barking, or for looking at their handler instead of lunging at another dog. The moment we stop rewarding the old behavior and start rewarding a new one, the old behavior is placed on extinction. This is not optional—it is built into the process. You cannot teach a replacement behavior without changing what gets rewarded.
When a behavior is placed on extinction, dogs often don’t stop the behavior immediately. Instead, we commonly see what trainers call an extinction burst. This looks like the behavior getting worse before it gets better. A dog might bark louder, jump higher, or react more intensely for a short period of time. From the dog’s perspective, this makes sense. The behavior worked before, so the dog tries it with more effort, hoping to get the same result. This phase is uncomfortable to watch, but it is a sign that learning is actually happening.
Another normal effect of extinction is behavioral variability. During this phase, dogs may try different behaviors—some appropriate, some not—as they search for something that works. This is often misinterpreted as the dog being stubborn or defiant. In reality, the dog is problem-solving. If the training plan is clear and the alternative behavior is reinforced consistently, the dog will eventually discover which behaviors lead to success and which do not.
Even after a behavior appears to be resolved, it may briefly return. This is called spontaneous recovery. A dog may revert to an old behavior after a break in training, a stressful day, or a change in environment. This does not mean the training has failed. It simply means the behavior has a learning history and can reappear temporarily. With consistency, the behavior typically fades again more quickly than before.
The success of extinction during differential reinforcement depends heavily on reinforcement quality and timing. If the reward for the new behavior is not meaningful enough, delivered too late, or given inconsistently, the old behavior may remain more appealing to the dog. This is especially important when behaviors are tied to excitement, stress, or instinctual drive. A calm behavior practiced in the living room may require very different reinforcement when the dog is outdoors, over-stimulated, or emotionally charged.
One of the most common mistakes during extinction is introducing punishment too early. When owners see an extinction burst, they may feel compelled to correct the dog to stop the behavior immediately. While this can suppress behavior in the short term, it often interferes with learning. Punishment does not teach the dog what to do instead—it only teaches what to avoid. When used too soon, it can prevent the new behavior from becoming clear and reliable, and may introduce stress, confusion, or avoidance into the training process.
For example, consider leash reactivity. If a dog previously learned that barking and lunging made scary things go away, those behaviors were reinforced. When we begin reinforcing calm behavior or attention to the handler instead, barking is placed on extinction. An initial increase in reactivity is common. If the handler responds by correcting the dog during this phase, the dog may suppress behavior without ever learning the alternative. A better approach is managing distance, reinforcing early calm choices, and allowing the extinction process to resolve naturally.
Another example is demand barking for toys or attention. If barking has consistently resulted in access to play, stopping that access places barking on extinction. The dog may bark more intensely or try other attention-seeking behaviors. Reinforcing calm behavior quickly and consistently, while never giving the toy during barking, teaches the dog a clearer and more effective strategy for getting what it wants.
Extinction is not a sign of failure—it is a sign that learning is underway. When paired with thoughtful reinforcement, clear expectations, and patience, extinction allows old behaviors to fade and new ones to take their place. Understanding this process helps owners stay calm, consistent, and confident during training, even when behavior temporarily looks worse before it looks better. In the long run, this understanding is what creates durable, reliable behavior change rather than short-term suppression.
