For reward training to work well, we must first identify what our dog likes. Then,

• We encourage desired behaviors by giving him a reward (positive reinforcement), or
• We discourage undesired behaviors by taking away a reward (negative punishment).

Some common myths about reward dog training –

1. Reward dog training does not work with dominant, stubborn, or aggressive dogs.
   My Shiba Inu is all of those things and reward methods worked much better on him than aversive dog training. Aversive methods just made him more aggressive.
2. Using food in dog training is bribery, because the dog should be doing the command for us.
   Dogs, like us, are motivated by a variety of things. Some of them are more food motivated, while others are more people motivated. We should use the rewards that are appropriate, based on the temperament and preferences of our dog.
   Note that in aversive dog training, the dog is not doing commands just for us either, but rather to avoid the aversive stimulus (e.g. pain).
3. Reward dog training does not show my dog that I am the boss or pack leader.
   The truth is, reward methods allows us to become a better pack leader than aversive methods. In fact, alpha wolves primarily control their members by controlling the pack’s resources – which is basically reward dog training.

Reward dog training.

Reward Dog Training – Good 1

Reward Dog Training – the good.

Helps to build a relationship based on trust.

One of the biggest advantage of reward dog training, is that there is little danger of losing our dog’s trust, even if we make some training mistakes. If we do not do dog obedience training for a living, we may not always execute our techniques perfectly, or even close to perfectly.

Some mistakes will be made, while we learn how to effectively train our dog.

If we are using reward dog training, a mistake may get our dog a bit confused, as to why he is receiving a reward. A string of continuous mistakes, may inadvertently encourage unwanted behaviors, such as jumping, but that is about as bad as it gets.

Aversive dog training, on the other hand, can very easily cause loss of trust. It may even lead to aggression.

In fact this University of Pennsylvania 2009 study shows that at least 25% of the dogs that are trained with confrontational methods, exhibit aggression during training.

“This study highlights the risk of dominance-based training, which has been made popular by TV, books and punishment-based training advocates,”Herron said. “These techniques are fear-eliciting and may lead to owner-directed aggression.”

Reward dog training helps to build a relationship based on trust.

Reward Dog Training – Good 2

Will not damage our dog either physically or mentally.

With reward dog training, the worst that happens to our dog is the removal of a reward. He may look at us cross-eyed, but he will not go home with a hurt trachea or other bodily harm. In contrast, this type of physical damage can occur, when certain aversive methods are not implemented properly.

Note that prolonged use of choke collars may cause harm to our dog, even when the collar is fitted and used as directed.

Reward dog training will not damage our dog either physically or mentally.

Reward Dog Training – Good 3

Helps to create a dog that is happy and eager to work.

When we only use reward dog training, our dog will be eager to work because work time means reward time.

Aversive dog training, on the other hand, may decrease our dog’s interest in working. Our dog may decide to just lie around and sleep, because it is safe, comfortable, and painless, to do so.

Leash training or dog training is not much fun and very stressful, when a dog keeps receiving physical corrections, even when he does not understand what is required of him.

Reward dog training helps to create a dog that is happy and eager to work.

Reward Dog Training – Bad 1

May not always solicit a prompt response to our commands.

For most dogs, a reward may not be as strong a motivator as pain (e.g. leash jerk, slap on the muzzle, finger jabs). In fact, some dogs may dislike an aversive stimulus to such an extent, that they fear it.

Fear is one of the strongest motivators for dogs. Most dogs will respond more consistently, and more promptly to it, compared to a reward.

Consistent and prompt response to commands becomes important, when our dog is involved in a life or death situation, for example when he is running into traffic. However, it should be pointed out that with proper management, we can prevent our dog from being in such dangerous circumstances.

In addition, pain based aversive training is risky, and does not guarantee full behavioral control. In fact, training mistakes and inaccurate timing, may result in even poorer command control, and increased aggression. Therefore, the best way to prevent a dog from running into traffic, is through proper equipment (e.g. doors and leashes), and proper management, similar to how we prevent children from running into traffic. After all, putting a shock collar on a young child, even to prevent the possibility of a traffic accident, would be unconscionable and against the law.

Reward dog training may not always solicit a prompt response to our commands.

Reward Dog Training – Bad 2

May sometimes require creativity to out-think our dog.

With reward dog training, we may need to get creative and come up with our own obedience training methods. This is especially true when we are trying to stop bad behaviors such as jumping, leash biting, or hand biting.

While there are many reward methods for stopping these behaviors, they may not always work with our dog. I.e. he may decide that the reward from his bad behavior, outweighs our offered reward or negative punishment. As a result, we may need to experiment with a variety of methods and reward systems, before finding one that works well with our dog.

In contrast, fear is a more universal strategy. The same pain based aversive method, for example the leash jerk, can be applied to a wide variety of situations.

Reward dog training may sometimes require creativity to out-think our dog.

Reward Dog Training – Bad 3

May require that we bring along some food or toys when on walks and outings.

Remember though, that dogs do not care about the monetary cost of a reward. Many dogs consider sticks, pine cones, and leaves to be quite exciting and awesome. When I find myself in a situation where I need a quick reward, some are usually readily available in the environment around me.

In fact, it is often very desirable to use the dogs and people we meet during walks, as rewards for our dog. For example, if my dog does not jump, he gets to go up and meet the new person. Once he starts jumping, I move him back, do a sit, and restart the greeting.

As our dog training lessons progress, we can begin to phase out the food rewards. Be careful to phase the rewards out slowly, so that our dog stays motivated.

We may have to carry food or toys when on walks and outings.

Reward Dog Training – Bad 4

May cause our dog to gain weight.

Obesity can sometimes become a problem, if we give our dog too many dog treats.

This issue can be easily resolved by –

• Using part of our dog’s regular meals as training rewards,
• Using smaller sized treats, and
• Using a lower calorie food or treat.

All dogs have to eat. It is much more effective to make our dog work for his food, rather than giving it to him for free in a silver bowl.

Reward dog training is just better dog kung fu!

I started out with aversive dog training but now, I use reward methods almost exclusively. Aversive methods made my Shiba Inu develop even more behavioral issues, including aggression.

In my opinion, it is much better to start with reward dog training because it is safer, builds a stronger bond with our dog, and is easier to implement without harmful side effects. Reward training takes a bit more time, and may not be as visceral as aversive mathods, but it is a more comfortable, fun, and effective way for dogs to learn.

Reward dog training is just better dog kung fu!

Operant conditioning actually encapsulates both reward and aversive training. In its simplest form, operant conditioning says that to modify a dog’s behavior, we can either add or take away a reward stimulus (positive reinforcement, negative punishment); or we can add or take away an aversive stimulus (positive punishment, negative reinforcement).

Operant Conditioning and Dog Training.

Operant conditioning in itself is not pro-reward stimulus or aversive stimulus.

However, it is interesting to note that B.F. Skinner, who developed many of the operant conditioning principles, has expressed that reward stimulus is the preferable form of control.

When someone says "operant conditioning" trainer, it actually refers to all dog trainers because every trainer uses some form of operant conditioning techniques to modify a dog's behavior.

Operant Conditioning Trainer

When someone says “operant conditioning” trainer, it actually refers to all dog trainers because every trainer uses some form of operant conditioning techniques to modify a dog’s behavior.

Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer) uses operant conditioning techniques, Victoria Stilwell uses operant conditioning techniques, Brad Pattison uses operant conditioning techniques, and so does other television and non-television dog trainers.

Included in the operant conditioning framework are studies on timing, frequency, and schedules of reinforcement.

For example, operant conditioning studies tell us that a variable schedule of reinforcement is more effective than a fixed schedule of reinforcement. I.e. rewarding our dogs intermittently for behaviors is more effective than rewarding our dogs every time, or every other time.

Similarly, if you over-correct a dog, he will quickly get habituated to your corrections, and may no longer respond to future corrections.

Operant conditioning is based on many years of study, by scientists and psychologists.

It provides us with a useful framework to not only modify or shape the behavior of dogs, but also that of all animals.

When someone says that reward training does not work, or that aversive training does not work, it goes against all the scientific evidence that we have.

Operant conditioning is based on many years of study, by scientists and psychologists.

Modify Animal Behavior

Both reward and aversive techniques can be used to modify animal behavior.

This includes getting your dog to perform good behaviors (e.g. Sit, Down) as well as stopping your dog from performing bad behaviors (dog rehabilitation).

Personally, I use reward techniques almost exclusively with my own dogs because it is less risky, and the effects of making training mistakes are less serious.

When looking for a dog trainer, make sure to find one that understands the basic principles of operant conditioning and classical conditioning.

These two processes underlie much of what goes into dog training, and someone who understands these behavioral psychology principles will be in a better position to understand, guide, and shape your dog’s behavior.

Both reward and aversive techniques can be used to modify animal behavior.