Alexandria, VA – Over the last few decades, dog training has experienced a significant philosophical and methodological movement from a punitive/coercive approach toward a philosophy and methodology known as “reward-based positive reinforcement training.” What started with a handful of dog trainers back in the early 80s seeking a more humane way to train dogs, coupled with several decades of scientific research on how dogs think and learn, along with recent studies on the negative impacts of using aversive tools and techniques in dog training, started an evolution in our industry.
Reward-based training is steeped in behavioral science and works on the premise that all living things will repeat reinforced behaviors and avoid behaviors that are not. Reinforcement drives behavior. Positive trainers think about what they want the dog to do instead of what they do not want them to do. With the old-fashioned punishment or correction methods, the trainer waits for the dog to do the wrong behavior, such as pulling on the leash, jumping up, or not coming when called, and then corrects it with the use of aversive tools such as choke chains, prong or shock collars. Fortunately, more and more studies on dog training overwhelmingly point to the benefits of using reward-based training over punishment and correction.
What is reward-based dog training? Simply put, it’s using rewards as reinforcement to teach dogs behaviors and skills. These rewards can be anything that the dog finds enjoyable, such as treats, toys, or praise. For example, giving a treat when the dog sits on cue or playing tug with your dog when they come when called. Food is a dog’s biggest motivator, so when training new behaviors, it’s important to start with high value reinforcers.
Instead of using outdated theories of dominance or being an alpha to train dogs, reward-based training builds value in the desired behaviors. Instead of suppressing behaviors through punishment, which research shows can lead to a psychological phenomenon termed “learned helplessness,” positive training teaches dogs alternate behaviors to what are often normal but inappropriate dog behaviors.
It’s important to ask questions about a trainer’s methods before hiring them so you can make an informed decision. It can confuse first-time dog owners as some trainers wear treat bags but also use punishment with shock and/or prong collars. Considering the vast number of current studies and research, there is no reason to still use aversive tools and techniques. Below are seven great reasons to hire a trainer who uses evidence-based positive training methods:
1. Professional organizations strongly recommend positive reinforcement. In recent years, many professional training and behavior organizations have agreed that using correction and punishment in dog training carries risks and fallout because these methods suppress behavior rather than change it. The American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior published a position paper endorsing positive training methods that use reinforcers instead of fear, pain, or startle techniques to punish unwanted behaviors.
For example, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) requires its members to attest to using humane, positive training methods instead of aversive techniques.
2. Dog owners can look forward to achieving faster, more desirable results with positive reinforcement. As a general rule, studies have shown that owners using positive reinforcement report more reliable, consistent, and better-behaved dogs than reported by owners using aversive techniques. One study found that the dogs of owners who used punishment (whether or not they also used rewards) often encountered problem behaviors such as aggression and excitability (Arhant et al., 2010). Of particular concern was the finding that people who used physically confrontational “training” methods–such as yelling at the dog or using prong, choke, or shock collars—ran the risk of eliciting physically aggressive responses from their dogs (Herron et al., 2009). This dangerous outcome was never reported by those using positive reinforcement methods.
These studies relied on owner reports, but the authors of another study designed an experiment to compare positive reinforcement to the use of shock collars. They looked at teaching recall in the presence of livestock. Contrary to popular belief, they found that shock collars did not lead to better-trained dogs (Cooper et al., 2014). The dogs trained using shock showed signs of stress, bringing us to the next point.
3. Reward-based training is a testament to responsible animal welfare. Animal welfare is an essential consideration in dog training. Research shows that reward-based training aligns better with the dog’s overall welfare and well-being. In contrast, training with aversive methods has risks for the welfare of the dog and the owner. The shock collar study concluded that “immediate effects of training with an e-collar give rise to behavioral signs of distress in pet dogs, particularly when used at high settings.”
Another study examined dogs’ body language at two training schools where the dogs were trained to sit and perform loose-leash walking. One school used positive reinforcement, while the other used leash pops (jerks) or physical manipulation of the dog until it performed the required behavior. Dogs trained with the aversive techniques displayed more stress-related behaviors, such as lowered body posture (crouching) and looked less frequently at their owners (frequent eye contact is very desirable) compared to those trained with positive reinforcement (Deldalle & Gaunet, 2014). A review of the scientific literature concluded that reward-based training has fewer risks than aversive methods and has far better results from a canine mental health standpoint. Reward-based training avoids the negative psychological toll of aversive techniques, including stress, anxiety, or fear. It is clearly better for both dog and owner!
4. Positive reinforcement dog training is good enrichment. Research has shown that dogs who work to earn rewards are happier during the training process. Scientists call this the “Eureka Effect” because the dog anticipates being rewarded for good behavior. Learning becomes rewarding and enriching once we give dogs opportunities to earn their reinforcements.
5. Dogs get better at learning with rewards. Dogs trained using positive reinforcement do better at learning new tasks. In one task, the study authors asked owners to teach their dogs to touch a spoon with their noses. Rewards included treats and balls. The dogs who learned the new task more quickly were the ones whose owners had used rewards in earlier training. Scientists say that “a history of reinforcements increases a dog-owner partnership’s success in future training, possibly by increasing the dog’s motivation and aptitude to learn, because it learns to anticipate rewards.”
6. Reward-based training focuses on reinforcing the desired behaviors. Jumping, pulling, chewing, and barking are all normal dog behaviors and are very self-reinforcing to the animal. Focusing on correcting “bad” behavior is frustrating for both the dog and the owner. By contrast, teaching your dog a repertoire of good behaviors allows the dog to make the right behavior choices. In positive training, we ignore or interrupt unwanted behaviors, redirect them to acceptable alternate behaviors, and reinforce those behaviors. For example, we reinforce the alternate behavior of keeping four paws on the floor rather than jumping.
7. Reward-based dog training is fun and builds an extraordinary bond! Dog training should be fun for pet parents, their families, and their dogs! Reward-based training focuses on the connection between you and your dog. When looking to train your dog or hire a professional dog trainer to help you, research concludes that using a reward-based training strategy will be a more effective and humane way to train your dog.
Sandy Modell, CPDT-KA, is the Founder and CEO of Wholistic Hound Academy, Alexandria’s award winning, premier canine training and learning center — offering classes and private lessons in puppy training, adult dog manners, behavior modification, agility, dog sports and canine fitness and conditioning, kids and dogs, pre-pet planning and pet selection. Classes starting soon! Visit www.wholistichound.com to enroll in our programs, and like us on Facebook.com/wholistichound.
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