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Education - Care & Training Tips

Sample Aversives For Dogs

"Aversive" is relative! Determining an effective aversive reaction is definitely a case of trial-and-error, as individual preferences will vary with the animal (and with the owner). Remember: "Aversive" doesn't mean "punishment." This is often the best method to discourage an animal from a particular action or place, but will seldom work effectively without an alternative, convenient, and rewarding behavior being offered.

Texture: Will need to be firmly grounded with weights to stay put! To protect furniture or floor finish from sticky substance, attach to another piece of foil or heavy plastic and secure THAT with weights or light tape. These are more effective for pups, small dogs, and low-energy dogs than for those who won't let a little obstacle stand in their way!

Indoors: Shelf paper (sticky side up) or double-sided carpet tape

Outdoors: Irregular/sharp rocks, firmly set into dirt. Chicken wire, firmly set into dirt (sharp edges rolled under)

Both: Heavy plastic carpet runner (pointed side up)

Taste: May damage furniture or floor finishes; test in a hidden location before wide-spread use. Except for hot sauce and cayenne pepper, all of these substances should be safe to apply to most people's skin, however, individuals may be sensitive so use caution.

• Bitter Apple or similar sprays/gels marketed specifically for taste aversion
• Insect repellent, especially those containing citronella and/or citrus odors (check for toxicity; if safe for young children, is generally safe for pets)
• Some hot sauces
• Cayenne pepper
• Some muscle rubs/ointments
• Citric odors from colognes, concentrated juices, fresh peels, etc.
• Aloe gel

Surprise

Timing is everything! (WARNING: For fearful animals, try everything else before trying these techniques, especially those using noises.)

Remote Controlled:

• Motion detector which reacts with startling sound
• "Snappy Trainer," upside-down mouse trap (securely taped under paper to avoid contact)
• Tin pie pan containing water, or beans, or pebbles (place the beans or pebbles so that the pan is balanced)
• Scat Mat (very slight electrical shock)

Human controlled: to get the dog's attention and thereby offer an appropriate alternative.

• Spray bottle or squirt gun filled with water or combined water and vinegar (NOTE: Avoid the "super-duper" water guns which have very forceful spray)
• Loud air horn
• Whistle
• Shaker can (soda can containing several nails, pennies, beans, or pebbles, securely taped shut)

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*Many thanks to the Denver Dumb Friends League for providing this content!