Glossary

Extinction burst

A temporary increase in a behavior, often with more intensity, when a reward that used to follow it is stopped.

Also called: behavior burst, getting worse before better, extinction bursts

When a behavior that used to be rewarded stops paying off, it often gets worse before it gets better. A dog that has always been let out when it barked at the door may bark louder and longer when ignored, trying harder to make the old strategy work. This is called an extinction burst.

It often means the plan is working, though it feels bad. If the owner gives in during the burst, the dog learns that persistence pays, and the behavior becomes harder to remove. Owners should expect the burst and stay consistent, and reward the dog for something else, such as sitting quietly.

An extinction burst applies only to behaviors kept going by a reward. It is not a way to deal with fear, pain or illness. If behavior worsens in a way that seems unusual, seek help from a trainer or veterinarian.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Positive reinforcement Adding something a dog likes right after a behavior so that the behavior becomes more likely to happen again. Jumping up A dog's habit of putting its paws on people when greeting them, usually kept going by the attention it gets. Barking A dog's most common vocal signal, used to alert, greet, demand, play or express fear, frustration or loneliness. Operant conditioning Learning in which a dog changes its behavior because of the consequences that follow it.