Positive Reinforcement Dog Training: 3 Dog Training Tips

Positive reinforcement is a method of dog training that uses rewards to encourage desired behaviors. Also known as reward-based or force-free training, positive reinforcement training teaches dogs to associate rewards, such as dog treats or kibble, praise, or toys, with established or new behaviors. It encourages your dog to repeat the behaviors to receive more treats. Many professional dog trainers and pet parents use positive reinforcement training and consider it one of the most effective dog training methods.

Negative reinforcement, also known as positive punishment, corrects unwanted behaviors with aversive tactics that make the dog uncomfortable enough to stop the behavior. Aversive actions include training a dog to sit by pushing down on its rump until the dog sits, or using shock collars or prong collars to prevent lunging.

There are several pros to positive reinforcement training. It can lead to increased:

1. 1. Communication: Positive reinforcement training clarifies communication with your dog. A reward eliminates any confusion or fear about what you want your dog to do by helping it to associate a specific behavior with things that it likes, such as treats or affection.
2. 2. Confidence: When you train your dog with a reward-based system, you give it the confidence to try new tasks or behaviors. Your dog is more willing to accept challenges or correct behavior if it knows a reward is coming.
3. 3. Connection: Positive reinforcement training techniques build and strengthen bonds between you and your pooch. Consistent training sessions with rewards instill trust, which makes your dog want to repeat behaviors that please you.

As with all dog training, there are also cons to positive reinforcement dog training. This training method can result in:

1. 1. Confusion: Positive reinforcement clarifies communication between you and your dog, but only if your directions are clear and consistent. Your dog needs simple, easy-to-understand commands—sit, come, stay—that never change between training sessions.
2. 2. Dependency: Some dogs may simply perform the desired behavior to get treats and not repeat it without the reward. However, clicker training can help eliminate this concern by teaching your dog to associate the sound of a clicker with specific behavior and a treat; over time, the dog will repeat the behavior without the need for a treat.
3. 3. Distractions: Dogs easily lose focus when outside stimuli break their concentration. Positive reinforcement training requires regular practice, which might be hard to accomplish in your backyard or at a dog park. If focus is your dog’s problem, training classes are an alternative.

Use these training tips as you use positive reinforcement to teach your dog new skills:

• Eliminate the treats over time. Rely on other forms of rewards instead of treats as training progresses. Consistent affection or play can replace the treats as an equally valuable reward.
• Never reinforce bad behavior. If you fail to use training tools to curb each instance of unwanted behavior, it decreases the efficacy of your training sessions. For example, a new dog may jump up to greet its owner when they enter the house; hold back on showering them with attention if you want that behavior to stop.
  
• Reward good behavior right away. Always reward good dog behavior immediately after it happens. Dogs may struggle to connect their actions with the treat if there is a gap in time between them.

Your dream of having a dog who understands words like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and—crucially— “no” is just a MasterClass Annual Membership away. The only things you’ll need to train up a well-behaved pup are your laptop, a big bag of treats, and our exclusive instructional videos from superstar animal trainer Brandon McMillan.