If someone offered you your favorite snack every time you did something right, wouldn’t you want to keep doing it? What about if you make a mistake? Are you more apt to improve if someone encourages you or if they hurl insults at you? Most likely, the positive reinforcement is what earns the bigger rewards, and that’s why it works so well when you train your dog.
What Does Positive Reinforcement Look Like When You’re Dog Training?
Positive reinforcement is all about rewarding your dog for the behaviors you want them to repeat. For example, if your dog does something you want them to do, you give them a yummy treat, plenty of praise, or gratuitous belly rubs.
The core idea is that your dog will get the connection between these specific behaviors and your happy response and repeat the desired actions. In other words, your dog understands the assignment.
Positive reinforcement is based on operant conditioning, which became popular thanks to psychologist B.F. Skinner. Skinner discovered that rewarded behavior was more often repeated when positive reinforcement was in play.
Examples of Using Positive Reinforcement With Your Dog
When it comes to training your precious pup, here are a few popular examples of how you can use positive reinforcement to help your pooch succeed.
- After your dog performs the basic sit command, you reward them with a treat.
- Your dog stays put after you tell them to stay, and you praise them profusely and give them a treat.
- You tell your dog to come, and they run to you without hesitation, so you shower them with affection (and a treat—starting to see a theme here?).
- Potty training is another area where positive reinforcement works wonders. When your dog pees or poops where they’re supposed to, applaud them.
- During crate training, give your dog their favorite toy (or a treat) when they go into their crate without a fuss.
- When you take your dog on a walk and are leash-training, reward them when they walk beside you without pulling.
- If your dog continues to give you their attention even when a squirrel darts by, reward them for ignoring the distraction.
You can also use positive reinforcement to teach other behaviors, like not jumping on visitors or remaining quiet when you ask. It’s also a good tool to use with any fun tricks you teach your dog. For example, perhaps you’re on a mission to train your dog to dance, roll over, or bring you your slippers.
Why Is Positive Reinforcement the Way to Go?
Remember the old-school, stereotyped way people trained their dogs? The classic rolled-up newspaper to the bottom. Not fun, for you or your pup, and it didn’t really do the job. Sure, your pet might start to associate certain behaviors with a negative consequence, but they also link that unpleasant swat with you.
Positive reinforcement keeps things, well, positive. Scientific research continues to show that rewarding your dog for desired behaviors is one of the most effective and humane ways to train them.
Punishment-based training could lead to anxiety or fear. On the flip side, positive reinforcement builds confidence and motivates your pup to keep up the good work, literally. The American Kennel Club (AKC) emphasizes that rewarding good behavior leads to more eager learning and strengthens the relationship between you and your dog.
How to Use Positive Reinforcement in Dog Training
Okay, so now that you know why positive reinforcement is the GOAT of dog training, how do you do it? Here are some pointers to get you started.
Use Treats Wisely
If you haven’t noticed a pattern by now, treats are a big factor in positive reinforcement with dogs. However, don’t just toss treats at your dog willy-nilly. Instead, choose high-value treats that are extra-special and particularly tasty so they really entice your pup.
For a bigger motivational boost, only use these treats for training, so your dog becomes super invested in the process. Give your dog the treat as soon as they perform the desired behavior. Immediate feedback is critical.
Keep your dog’s health in mind and use small treats. It’s essential to maintain small portions so you don’t overfeed your pooch.
Praise Like a Pro
Using verbal praise is also a big part of positive reinforcement training. Petting your pup while peppering them with praises like, “Good, boy! Yes!” is a must. Keep your tone upbeat and happy so when your dog reads your reactions, they understand you’re pleased with their performance.
Phase Treats Into Praise
Once your dog starts performing a command consistently, reduce the treats and continue the praise. The goal is to get your pup to a point where they’ll repeatedly do what you want them to without expecting a treat in return. (But always continue to praise your dog.)
Consistency Is Key
Consistency is crucial when it comes to any kind of training. If there are other people in the home, make sure they all know the commands you’re using for various behaviors. Continue to reward desired behaviors and don’t switch up commands, so you don’t confuse your pooch.
Ignore Unwanted Behaviors
Don’t punish or berate your dog for bad behaviors; just ignore them. Also, make sure not to inadvertently praise your dog for unwanted actions. For example, if you don’t want your pup jumping on people, don’t pet them as they jump on you when you come home from work.
Bonus tip: It’s helpful to have a training session after your dog has had an opportunity to exercise or play a little bit to blow off some steam. Also, provide your dog with ample mental stimulation, like interactive games or a Rolly Cannoli. These steps can help your dog focus and remain engaged during their training.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Training Your Dog
Even the most well-intentioned dog parents can slip up during positive reinforcement training. Here are the things you don’t want to do when you’re training your dog.
- Only give your dog a treat after they perform a desired behavior. Don’t hold the treat in front of them and then ask them to perform. This is more like a bribe than a reward.
- Avoid scolding your dog or using a harsh tone. This can stress your dog and backfire, undoing any success you’ve made.
- Don’t be wishy-washy with rewards. In other words, you give your dog a treat sometimes and ignore the behavior other times. Remember, consistency is key.
Boosting Your Positive Reinforcement Techniques
Need a little boost to your training routine? Here are some more advanced techniques you can use when training your dog with positive reinforcement.
Clicker Training
A training clicker is a small device that makes a clicking sound when you press it. The click marks the exact moment your dog does the desired behavior, followed by a treat. This helps your dog learn more precisely and quickly by reinforcing the desired behavior.
Variable Rewards
You always want to reward your dog, but earlier we mentioned phasing out treats to just praise. However, you could also try a variable reward schedule.
Basically, it means now and then you reward with a treat, then you do praise, then back to a treat. This method can make the behavior stronger, but don’t start this until your dog is consistently performing the desired command.
Keep Dog Training Positive for the Best Results
Positive reinforcement makes training enjoyable and effective. It’s all about encouraging good behavior with treats, praise, and consistency. Not only does this method lead to a well-behaved pup, but it also builds trust and a happy bond between you and your dog.
If you’re struggling to achieve the results you want with your dog, you may need a little extra help. It could be beneficial for you to find a professional trainer to work with you as you teach your pup. Ask fellow pet parents for recommendations or check with your vet. You can also search for a trainer near you via the Association of Professional Dog Training (APDT)
For more pet parenting tips, check out the rest of the Neater Pets blog. Then grab your pup’s favorite treats and get to work. Your dog is sure to be the best-behaved pup on the block (or at least in your living room).