Dog training glossary
Extinction
Quick answer
The gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a behavior that stops being reinforced.
Written by the TailorPup team, updated September 2026. See our editorial approach.
What it means
If a behavior stops earning whatever reward was maintaining it, whether that reward was a treat, attention, or something else entirely, the behavior typically fades out over time. This is a normal, expected part of how learning works, not something that requires punishment to achieve.
A real example
A dog that used to get let outside every time it whined at the back door stops whining once whining reliably no longer opens the door, and a quiet sit does instead.
Common mistake
Giving in partway through an extinction burst (see below), which accidentally teaches the dog that trying harder eventually works.
Related terms
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