Dog training glossary
Differential Reinforcement
Quick answer
Reinforcing one specific behavior while withholding reinforcement for a different, unwanted one, so the dog gradually shifts toward the rewarded option.
Written by the TailorPup team, updated September 2026. See our editorial approach.
What it means
Differential reinforcement works by making an acceptable behavior consistently more rewarding than the problem behavior it competes with, rather than trying to punish the unwanted behavior directly. A common version rewards any behavior other than the problem one (for example, anything besides jumping on guests), while another version specifically rewards an incompatible behavior, like sitting, which physically cannot happen at the same time as jumping. Both rely on withholding reinforcement for the old behavior long enough for it to fade through extinction while the new one strengthens.
A real example
A dog that jumps on visitors for attention gets no attention at all while jumping, but an enthusiastic greeting and a treat the moment all four paws stay on the floor, so calm greetings become the more reliably rewarding option over repeated visits.
Common mistake
Rewarding the alternative behavior inconsistently while still occasionally giving in to the unwanted one, which keeps the old behavior alive on an intermittent schedule instead of letting it fade.
Related terms
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