Dog training glossary
Extinction Burst
Quick answer
A temporary spike in a behavior's intensity right after reinforcement for it stops, before it fades for good.
Written by the TailorPup team, updated September 2026. See our editorial approach.
What it means
When a behavior that used to work suddenly stops earning a reward, dogs often "try harder" for a short period before giving up, a normal and expected phase of extinction rather than a sign the plan isn't working. Recognizing an extinction burst for what it is (and holding steady through it) is often the difference between a behavior fading out and it getting accidentally reinforced at a higher intensity.
A real example
A dog that used to get picked up when it pawed at its owner's leg starts pawing harder and more insistently for a few days once pawing stops working, before it tapers off completely.
Common mistake
Interpreting the burst as proof the approach has failed, and reverting to giving the old reward, which teaches the dog that escalating gets results.
Related terms
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