Positive Reinforcement: The Best Dog Training Method, Science Says

Introduction

So, you just brought home a puppy (or maybe you’re trying to retrain your older dog, who still thinks your couch is his personal chew toy). You Google “best dog training methods” and bam! You’re hit with an avalanche of conflicting advice. Some trainers swear by treats and belly rubs, while others insist you need to be the alpha (cue dramatic wolf howling). So, what actually works?

Science has spoken, and the verdict is in: positive reinforcement training is the way to go. But before we dive into why treats, praise, and play-based learning are the real MVPs, let’s talk about what’s lurking on the other side – the infamous world of aversive training.

Table of Contents

The Dark Side of Dog Training: Aversive Methods and Their Consequences

Picture this: Your dog jumps on guests, and instead of redirecting with a reward for polite behavior, you give him a quick yank or yell, “No!” Sounds effective, right? Maybe… but only in the short term.

Aversive training – aka punishment-based training – uses positive punishment (adding something unpleasant, like a shock collar zap) or negative reinforcement (removing something unpleasant, like loosening a prong collar when the dog stops pulling).

Here’s why that’s a problem:

1. It Works… But At What Cost?

Sure, punishment can suppress behavior quickly, but studies show it often comes with a side of stress, fear, and aggression (Ziv, 2017). Ever met a dog who cowers at his owner’s touch or growls when someone approaches his food bowl? Chances are, punishment played a role in shaping that behavior.

Dogs trained with shock collars exhibit higher cortisol levels (stress hormone) than those trained with positive reinforcement (Vieira de Castro et al., 2020). Even outside of training, police dogs subjected to shock collars still showed fear and avoidance behaviors toward their handlers (Schilder & van der Borg, 2004). Punishment can turn your dog into a tiny, furry stress ball – the opposite of what we want.

2. Punishment Can Backfire (Literally)

Here’s where things get spicy: Punishing a dog for something like growling can actually make aggression worse (Blackwell et al., 2012). Why? Because when you punish a growl, you’re removing a warning sign, not fixing the underlying issue. Next time, your dog might just skip the growl and go straight to biting.

Moral of the story? Corrections don’t teach dogs what to do – they just teach them what not to do, often in a way that leads to more confusion and stress.

The Treat-Filled World of Positive Reinforcement

Okay, so what’s the alternative? Enter positive reinforcement training, aka the method that helps dogs actually want to listen to you. Instead of punishing unwanted behaviors, we reward good behaviors so they’re more likely to happen again (Hiby et al., 2004).

And the best part? It works on pretty much every dog, from tiny Chihuahuas to stubborn Huskies – as long as it’s applied correctly (Hiby et al., 2004).”.

1. Science Says It Works Better (And Lasts Longer)

Studies show that dogs trained with positive reinforcement learn faster and retain behaviors longer than those trained with punishment-based methods (Rooney & Cowan, 2011).

In one study, dogs trained using treats and praise responded more reliably to recall commands than those trained with electronic shock collars (Cooper et al., 2014). Positive reinforcement also strengthens the dog-owner bond, making your pup more eager to engage with you instead of running the other way when it’s time to train (Vieira de Castro et al., 2020).

2. No Fear, Just Fun

Unlike punishment-based training, which can make dogs hesitant and anxious, positive reinforcement boosts confidence and builds a stronger bond with their owners (Deldalle & Gaunet, 2014).

Ever seen a dog enthusiastically sit, stay, and high-five like they’re auditioning for a talent show? That’s the magic of force-free training.

Wait, Is Positive Reinforcement Too Soft?

One of the biggest myths out there is that positive reinforcement is just throwing treats at your dog and hoping for the best. Let’s clear that up.

1. “But What If My Dog Only Listens When I Have Treats?”

This is a common concern, and it’s true that if you never fade out food rewards, your dog might become a little too treat-dependent (Dorey, 2020). The solution? Gradually phase out food rewards and start mixing in praise, play, or life rewards (like getting to go outside after sitting calmly at the door). That way, your dog learns to respond even when you don’t have a treat in hand.

2. “What About REALLY Bad Behavior?”

Sure, positive reinforcement won’t magically cure serious aggression or severe anxiety overnight, but here’s the kicker – it’s the best approach for fixing them in the long run.

Counterconditioning and desensitization techniques (in a nutshell, pairing scary things with positive experiences) have been proven to reduce reactivity and fear-based behaviors better than punishment (Overall, 2013). Research suggests that reward-based training helps dogs retain learned behaviors and reduces the likelihood of fear-based reactions compared to punishment-based training (Blackwell et al., 2012; Vieira de Castro et al., 2020).

So no, positive reinforcement isn’t about ignoring bad behavior, it’s about teaching dogs what TO DO instead.

Final Verdict: The Future is Force-Free

So, should you train your dog with treats and praise, or fear and corrections? Let’s sum it up:

Conclusion

At the end of the day, science has made it clear – dogs learn best when they feel safe, happy, and motivated to work with us (don’t you prefer a reward to be yelled at for doing something wrong ?). So, grab those treats (or a squeaky toy), and start building a training routine based on trust and teamwork – your pup will thank you for it.

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P.S. If you want to geek out further, here are other articles that could interest you:

The Science of Positive Reinforcement Training

What Does Dog Training Have To Do With A-B-C?

Aversive Dog Training: Impact on Canine Mood and Well-being

Psychology has Gone to the Dogs. Beyond Sit and Stay

References

(Because even fun blogs need solid science!)

Blackwell, E. J., Twells, C., Seawright, A., & Casey, R. A. (2012). The relationship between training methods and the occurrence of behavior problems, as reported by owners, in a population of domestic dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 7(4), 193-201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2007.10.008

Cooper, J. J., Cracknell, N., Hardiman, J., Wright, H., & Mills, D. S. (2014). The welfare consequences and efficacy of training pet dogs with remote electronic training collars in comparison to reward-based training. PLoS ONE, 9(9), e102722. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0102722

Deldalle, S., & Gaunet, F. (2014). Effects of 2 training methods on stress-related behaviors of the dog (Canis familiaris) and on the dog–owner relationship. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 9(2), 58-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2013.11.004

Hiby, E. F., Rooney, N. J., & Bradshaw, J. W. S. (2004). Dog training methods: Their use, effectiveness and interaction with behaviour and welfare. Animal Welfare, 13(1), 63–69. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0962728600026683

Overall, K. (2013). Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats-E-Book: Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Rooney, N. J., & Cowan, S. (2011). Training methods and owner–dog interactions: Links with dog behaviour and learning ability. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 132(3-4), 169-177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2011.03.007

Vieira de Castro, A. C., Fuchs, D., Morello, G. M., Pastur, S., de Sousa, L., & Olsson, I. A. S. (2020). Does training method matter? Evidence for the negative impact of aversive-based methods on companion dog welfare. PLOS ONE, 15(12), e0225023. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0225023

Ziv, G. (2017). The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs—A review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 19, 50-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2017.02.004