You may have come across the term “positive reinforcement training” when researching training classes for a new puppy. Or, you’ve come across the term while looking up how to solve your older dog’s shoe-chewing problem. What is positive reinforcement, and how does it differ from other training techniques?
While it may be all the buzz in today’s dog training world, is it the right technique for you and your dog? Learn more about positive reinforcement training, other training “types”, why positive reinforcement is the right choice for you and your dog, and how to find the right local trainer to help.
The Four “Quadrants” of Training
Before getting into the details of positive reinforcement training, it’s best to know the definitions behind the different training “types” of training.
Traditional training relies on operant conditioning — which consists of rewards for “good” behavior, and “punishments” for bad or unwanted behaviors. These are divided further into four “quadrants” of training: positive, negative, reinforcement, and punishment. Alone, each word doesn’t mean much, but together, they signify a way to increase or decrease a behavior.
- Positive refers to the addition of something. It does NOT mean good or bad.
- Negative refers to the removal or deprivation of something. It does NOT mean good or bad.
- Reinforcement increases a behavior.
- Punishment decreases a behavior.
Positive Reinforcement focuses on rewarding good behaviors to increase them. The reward makes your pet want to work harder, thus increasing the behavior. For example, when you ask your dog to sit and then give them a treat, you are reinforcing the good behavior (sitting) with a positive (the treat).
Negative Reinforcement is the removal of something to increase the behavior. Negative reinforcement can happen innately to cause “problem” behaviors. For example, if the mailman walks away from your house when your dog barks — not because your dog is barking, but because they are moving to the next mailbox — it will increase the likelihood of your dog barking, because your dog thinks that barking equals removal of the mailman, thus reinforcing the behavior.
Positive Punishment is the addition of something to decrease a behavior. When you hit your dog with a newspaper it decreases his chewing on an object. (Not recommended!) A shock collar or choke collar is also positive punishment — it decreases the behavior by giving a painful shock/tug.
Negative Punishment is the removal of something to decrease a behavior. If you hold down your dog’s training collar button to cause a shock until he stops digging, you are inflicting negative punishment by removing (negative) the shock when your dog decreases the behavior (stops digging).
Why Positive Reinforcement Training?
In recent years, positive reinforcement training has taken over the dog training world — and for good reason. It is now considered to be the most humane choice in training because it utilizes rewards, along with other training techniques such as redirecting behaviors (and creating replacement ones with positive rewards) instead of instilling pain or fear. Pets that aren’t worried about receiving a hit or shock are also more likely to want to work with you instead of because they are afraid of you.
It’s also been shown that building a bond of trust with your dog increases their desire to want to work with you, making training less of a hassle and decreasing the amount of time it takes to train your dog. And, a relationship built on trust is more likely to prevent behaviors such as hiding accidents, chewing in secret, or causing anxieties that can lead to destructive results. It also decreases the incidence of reactive aggressive behaviors.
Positive reinforcement involves more than just treats as well. Praise, play sessions, cuddling, or even grooming sessions (if your pet enjoys it) can all be ways to positively reinforce a behavior. You can also use it in everyday situations, such as when you catch your puppy chewing on a chew toy instead of your shoe (praise them!) or goes potty without making a big mess.
One caveat is that positive reinforcement training can sometimes take longer than other methods to see long-term results. While it may be quick and easy to shock your dog into submission, it also breaks trust and instills fear, worsening your relationship with your pup. Taking longer, while requiring extra patience, can help you build that bond and as a result, prevent future problems.
How Can You Get Started?
Luckily, positive reinforcement training can start right at home! Focus on techniques that help you bond with your dog, such as a daily training session involving a favorite treat or toy. Trust-building exercises can also help increase the bond between you and your dog. Avoid training tools that cause harm, such as shock collars or punishing methods.
If you’re still struggling, or feel you’d benefit from some training sessions with a pro, a local trainer can be a great option to get those methods down. Here are four in the Detroit Metro to try:
Trust & Obey Pawsitive Dog Training – Plymouth, MI
Website: https://www.trustandobeydogtraining.com/
Phone: (734) 718-3541
About: Trust and Obey offers puppy classes, targeted issues classes, and private lessons in a positive format to help your dog.
My Sidekick Dog Training – Detroit, MI
Website: https://www.mysidekicktraining.com/
Phone: (313) 444-5852
About: Train with Ash Rose, the Detroit-based Certified Behavior Consultant & Dog Trainer, specializing in fear, aggression, anxiety, and reactivity. Harness your superpower & find the realistic strategies that provide relief for you and your dog.
Serenity Dog Training – St. Clair Shores, MI
Website: https://www.serenitydogtraining.org/
Phone: (313) 207-1175
About: “As much as I train dogs, I train humans to become Mindful Canine Leaders.” In-home dog training obedience, potty, and leash walking skills for Grosse Pointe, Macomb & Oakland Counties.
Petco/PetSmart – Various Locations
Website: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/s/petco-dog-training and https://services.petsmart.com/training
Phone: NA
About: Can’t to a professional trainer? Petco and PetSmart both offer local lessons at most stores, focused on positive reinforcement. They’re best with owners of new puppies or dogs just needing basic obedience, but they can be a great way to start a foundation of positive training techniques.
Do you have a favorite dog trainer? Share in the comments below!
The Detroit Barker 
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