Giving a dog something appropriate to do instead of an unwanted behaviour, in the moment it's happening.
Redirection means giving a dog something appropriate to do instead of an unwanted behaviour, in the moment it's happening. Rather than only stopping a behaviour, redirection offers a clear alternative, which tends to work far better than simply saying no and leaving the dog unsure what to do next.
A common example is offering a chew toy the instant a puppy starts mouthing hands during play. The behaviour, chewing, continues, just aimed somewhere more appropriate.
Redirection works best when the alternative is offered early, before the unwanted behaviour is in full swing. A dog who's building up to jumping at a visitor is much easier to redirect towards a sit or a toy than a dog who's already mid-jump.
It's also commonly used for behaviours rooted in a genuine need, such as chewing, digging, or scavenging. Rather than trying to eliminate the underlying urge entirely, redirection channels it towards something acceptable, a chew toy instead of a shoe, or a digging pit instead of the flower bed.
Redirecting too late, once a dog is already fully engaged in the unwanted behaviour, is far less effective than catching it early. It also helps to make the redirected option genuinely appealing, since a boring alternative is unlikely to compete with whatever the dog was originally drawn to.
They're closely related. Distraction pulls attention away from something, while redirection specifically offers an appropriate alternative behaviour to replace the unwanted one. In practice, most redirection also distracts.
Not on its own. It manages the moment well, but a persistent unwanted behaviour, such as regular counter surfing, usually benefits from addressing the underlying cause too, whether that's boredom, hunger, or lack of exercise.
Yes, it's a common tool for reactive dogs, offering a known cue like a hand target or a "find it" scatter the moment a trigger appears, before the dog has a chance to react. It works best combined with the broader distance and threshold management used in reactivity training.
Teaching a dog to touch a specific object — usually a hand, stick, or disc — with their nose or paw on cue.
An intense, often disproportionate response to a specific trigger such as other dogs, people, or vehicles.
A dog's ability to pause before acting on a strong urge, such as grabbing food or chasing something moving.
