Why Positive Reinforcement works

I am by no means the first to ever write anything on the topic of positive reinforcement training. Nothing in this article will break the mold of what science has proven through extensive study. However, I hope that my explanation of why positive reinforcement dog training will provide more clarity and explain why this trending method is the new norm in modern pet training.

So let's get technical. If we are going by straight definition: positive reinforcement means a desirable stimulus is introduced to encourage certain behavior and increase the frequency that the behavior occurs. In dog training, this reinforcement tool involves rewarding the animal with something they want for doing something we like. The simplest example is getting a dog to sit on command, then giving them a cookie. Pretty simple right?

If we zoom out of pure definition to practical usages, we see that this technique encourages dogs to actively participate or cooperate with us out of desire to earn good things. They learn faster and more efficiently when there is the potential of reward from the teacher (you the training human). We utilize reward to continually mark and clarify what it is that we like the dog doing. Loose leash walking for example. If the dog is relaxed and walking next to us, we continue moving and reward that behavior pretty frequently. Over time, the dog learns a loose leash gets them to the park more quickly.

Humans ask: But do I have to always have a treat? Will my dog only listen to me for food?

In the beginning of teaching a dog anything, yes we use a lot of rewards, treats are the lowest hanging fruit. However there are other options like praise, petting, and toys that also act as reinforcers. Over time we begin to set higher criteria for the behaviors, adding more layers to the skill. Also, payment can become intermittent, meaning not all the time. I know that sounds very technical, here is an example. If we teach a dog to go to his bed when a guest comes over, most likely we are rewarding that skill heavily for the first 25 guests. We need to convince the dog that going to his bed is what he is supposed to do before he gets loved up by your aunt Caroline. Then we layer a “stay” until your guest takes off their shoes (duration and criteria). Soon, the dog offers that skill when guests come over and we reward only when it's someone new or very exciting (intermittent reinforcement). Eventually, we stop giving in cookies and pay in affection, toys, or attention.

What is my dog won’t do what I ask?

What if they are being bad?

Let's break this down. If your dog will not do something it might be because they are too excited, too close to a trigger or simply don't have enough practice with the skill you are teaching. Set up for success! If they jump all over the place and won't sit, you probably need to move away from whatever is causing this reaction and try again when the dog has calmed down. They don’t get the cookie if they don't do the task. It simply does not work for them to behave in an undesirable way. But it is your job to teach them what they should do and how to get rewarded.

Punishment might be a whole other article, but in short it has been proven that positive reinforcement strategies (along with other humane behavior modification techniques) actually work better than punishment for training long term. When humans add something aversive (scary, hurtful, intimating) to get a dog to stop doing something, the result might be a halt in behavior momentarily but there are often long term consequences. Adding punishment can break trust with your dog and thus learning has stopped. So instead of “adding’ stress to the situation we remove it by teaching skills, practice setting up situations for success and keeping expectations realistic.

Furthermore, positive reinforcement techniques can effectively address a wide array of behavioral issues. Whether it's curbing excessive barking, reducing separation anxiety, or improving socialization skills, positive reinforcement and other behavior modification techniques offer humane and effective long term solutions.

In conclusion, positive reinforcement as a base for dog training has gained immense popularity in modern dog training because it builds curiosity, communication and a harmonious relationship between dogs and their owners. By focusing on good experiences and rewards, dogs are not only trained effectively but are also happier, well-adjusted, and more eager to participate in the world around them.