Positive reinforcement training strengthens the bond between you and your dog, making learning fun and effective.
By Siddhika Bhat, certified dog trainer and behaviorist, founder of Wagabonding: Dog Training and Beyond
When it comes to dog training, the key is to build a bond… Not a barrier! The method you choose decides the structure of your relationship with your pup and, believe it or not, impacts their cognitive abilities and mental health. Aversive trainers may do the rounds with their viral videos; but don’t be fooled: just because you see immediate results with aversive methods doesn’t mean they’re not leaving a mark (and it’s often not a good one). Sure, you may get a quick fix, but in the long run, you're not just training your dog, you’re shaping their entire personality! So, let’s dive deep into why positive reinforcement is the clear winner for raising a happy, healthy, and mentally sharp dog.
Cracking the Code on the Four Quadrants of Dog Training
To truly understand different training methods, it helps to look at the science behind them. Dog training is largely rooted in a concept known as operant conditioning, which breaks down behavior into four categories.
Quick Look at Operant Conditioning
In simple terms, Operant conditioning is a simple method that uses rewards and punishment to teach or modify a behavior. In this method of learning, a dog is rewarded every time they perform a desirable behavior. On the other hand, behaviour that is punished is prone to happen less frequently. The scientific principle of operant conditioning was developed by BF Skinner, a behavioral scientist in the 1950s. The purposes of this article, we shall keep our focus primarily on four important words –
- Positive: Means something is added
- Negative: Means something is taken away
- Reinforcement: Behavior is likely to increase or strengthen
- Punishment: Behavior is likely to decrease or extinguish
Positive Reinforcement
Rewarding a dog with something desirable such as a treat, toy or praise when they perform a behavior that we deem “correct”, “desirable” or “good” is the simple definition of positive reinforcement. It essentially means adding something desirable (from the dog’s perspective) in order to encourage them to exhibit the behavior more often. This phenomenon is also called associative learning. Remember that the addition of a positive stimulus is not a bribe to get the dog to perform the behavior, but a reward for a behavior that has already taken place.
An example of positive reinforcement in dog training would be instructing a dog to sit using words or hand signals and rewarding the dog after they have sat. Another example would be noticing your dog being calm in the crate and rewarding them with praises and/or treats to encourage them to keep going.
Pros
- Promotes voluntary behavior
- Fosters long term learning
- Ideal for all kinds of dogs – regardless of their personality, age and size
- It can be adapted across different species
- Builds trust and strengthens human-canine bond
- Helps build a dog’s cognitive abilities
Cons
- May encourage over reliance on rewards
- May not be as effective when interrupting undesirable behaviors
- Requires patience and consistency
- Timing is an important factor in positive reinforcement training. If the reward is given at a wrong time, the dog may associate it with an undesirable behavior
- Maybe less effective in situations that demand immediate compliance
Rewarding good behavior with treats helps reinforce positive habits and builds confidence in your dog.
Positive Punishment
As misleading as the words sound, there is absolutely nothing positive about positive punishment. Positive punishment is punishment in the most familiar sense. It comes from the technical language of operant conditioning, where “negative” and “positive” refer to removing or adding something. The outcomes to this may be good or bad. Positive punishment means adding a stimulus that is undesirable to the dog every time an unwanted behavior takes place. So, when we bop the dog on the nose under the pretext of “correction”, if it is an undesirable experience to the dog, it is a punishment.
Aversive trainers often use positive punishment as a way to foster associative learning in dogs. Slipping a prong collar on a dog’s neck and tightening it every time the dog pulls on a leash is a classic example of positive punishment. The stimulus (pain from the prong collar) is added every time the behavior (leash pulling) takes place.
Pros
- Force-stops unwanted behaviors on an immediate basis
- Has a straightforward application
- Helpful in addressing dangerous behaviors in urgent situations
Cons
- Puts the dog at high risk of aggression in near future
- Erodes trust and damages the human canine bond
- May instill fear and anxiety in dogs
- May cause physical pain and damage
- Adds to internal frustration
- Doesn’t teach anything to the dog
Negative Reinforcement
Negative reinforcement means an unpleasant stimulus is taken away in order to increase the frequency of a behavior. The goal of negative reinforcement is to increase the likelihood of the dog repeating the desirable behavior.
For instance, when a dog doesn't sit when told, you can push their bottom down until they do, then release the pressure. There is a fine line between positive punishment and negative reinforcement which can create confusion in their use cases.
In this article the example of prong collars has been included in positive punishment. Some trainers might argue that the prong collars are used as negative reinforcement as it removes discomfort when the dog stops pulling. However, the initial application of pressure to correct behavior aligns more closely with Positive Punishment.
Here is a step by step scenario of teaching a dog to go to bed using negative reinforcement.
Scenario: a dog is afraid of the vacuum cleaner.
Action: the owner starts the vacuum and directs the dog to their bed. Once the dog stays in the bed the vacuum is turned off.
Thus, the scary noise, in other words, the negative reinforcer stops when the dog goes to bed.
Pros
- Builds the understanding of clear cause and effect
- Can be used as an immediate correction
- Motivates avoidance of certain behaviors to some extent
- Encourages self correction and regulation
Cons
- May lead to unpredictable responses
- Risks the possibility of learned helplessness
- May inadvertently reinforce anxiety
- May correct the wrong behavior but does not always teach the right one, Which can be detrimental to a dog’s learning
- Undermines trust with the handler
- May create over reliance on stressful stimuli
Negative Punishment
The final quadrant is negative punishment and it should come second to positive reinforcement in your training tool belt. Negative punishment refers to removing a stimulus that is pleasant to your dog in order to decrease the frequency of a behavior. A human equivalent example of negative punishment could be your parents taking away your phone or a toy when you lie to them.
For example, if your dog starts biting or tugging too aggressively on a toy, you take it away for a short time. The dog learns that overzealous play leads to the toy being removed. The combination of negative punishment and positive reinforcement is often considered a more balanced approach to training a dog without the use of aversives.
Pros
- Reduces undesirable behaviours on an immediate basis
- Does not cause harm to the dog
- Easier implementation
- Fosters associative learning in a better manner
Cons
- May cause frustration, anxiety or sadness if overused or poorly implemented
- Has a limited effectiveness if not combined with positive reinforcement
- Potential for misuse
- Poses a risk of extinction burst which means undesirable behaviors may temporarily escalate before decreasing
Consistent rewards create a happy, well-trained dog who associates learning with positive experiences.
Positive Reinforcement: The Clear Winner
Positive reinforcement stands out as the most effective and humane training method because it reflects our evolving understanding of dogs as sentient beings who thrive on trust, safety, and clear communication. While traditional methods relied on punishment to enforce obedience, modern approaches prioritize the human-animal bond and long-term well-being. Positive reinforcement not only builds lasting trust and a more focused learning environment but also strengthens memory, reduces fear, and encourages dogs to actively participate in training. Backed by evidence and endorsed by experts like AVSAB, it promotes consistent, compassionate behavior change with fewer risks and better outcomes for both dogs and their humans.
Ready, Set, Train: The Future of Dog Training is Positive!
In conclusion, while positive reinforcement shines as the gold standard in dog training for its effectiveness, empathy, and long-lasting results, it’s essential to remember that no method is a one-size-fits-all solution. Before committing to any training technique on a long-term basis, it’s important to thoroughly understand the full spectrum of methods available. It’s like picking the best tool for the job, whether you’re fixing a leaky sink or teaching your pup to stop chewing shoes! By arming yourself with knowledge and patience, you can create a harmonious training experience that both you and your dog will enjoy. After all, happy paws = happy owners!
Siddhika Bhat, Certified dog trainer and behaviorist and founder of Wagabonding.
For more tips and info from expert Dog Behaviorist Siddhika Bhat, check out these articles:
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Ask The Expert: The Biggest Myths About Puppy Training: And Why They’re Wrong
Potty Accidents: Is Your Dog Giving You a Problem or Having One?