Is There A Down-Side To Dog Training With Positive Reinforcement?

Quite a bit has changed for the better in the world of dog training in the last twenty years. Chief among the improvements is the broad approval of ‘positive reinforcement’ from many professionals in the field of dog training and behavioural sciences.

A very simple example of dog training using positive reinforcement would be to ask your dog to “sit” and then reward the dog with something he/she likes as soon as the dog’s rump touches the ground in the sit position.

By rewarding the dog for ‘getting it right’ the dog begins to build an association between (A) the cue to "sit", (B) his reaction to the cue, which then leads to (C) a pleasurable outcome. The positive association means that the dog is more likely to repeat his "sit" when given the cue so he can receive that pleasurable outcome again.

There are many up-sides to dog training using positive reinforcement. Examples include:

• Being rewarded for successes makes learning/training fun for your dog. 
• It’s a humane method of training.
• It builds up the dog’s confidence.
• Rewarding successes is a relationship-building process.
• There are no unintended negative side-effects. 

But is there also a down-side to using this method for training?

While the positive reinforcement method pushes all the right buttons for being effective and humane, a down-side does exist if the dog trainer focuses too heavily on just one type of reward and then does not move past that initial reward stage of the process.

Through no fault of their own, many dogs end up being trained to associate the "pleasurable outcome" in the A + B = C process solely with food instead of a wider range of pleasurable outcomes. So, by creating an association solely with a food reward, the dogs won't follow through with their cue unless food is present. In this scenario, failure for the dog to follow through on a cue is not a reflection on the dog or its ability to learn or perform the cue. Instead it’s a reflection of poor training by the trainer.

Having said that, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using food as one type of reward in positive reinforcement training. It is certainly a powerful motivator and can help many dogs get off to a quick and successful start in learning new behaviours, but the key is to use it as a reward (not a bribe) and to utilize a wider range of pleasurable outcomes.

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Dog Training and Praising Your Dog

Sometimes it's really hard not to generalize. I say that right up front in this article because I feel the need to do it now by saying: People don't praise their dogs enough!

I find that people are much more likely to admonish their dogs for doing something 'wrong' than praising them for getting something right. This just seems to be human nature, but how is your dog supposed to understand that by not admonishing him you are actually telling him that he hasn't done anything wrong? That's a pretty difficult concept for humans, so you can forget about your dog figuring it out.

► Praise To Create A Positive Association

Most people understand the concept of praising their dog for a job well done when they are teaching their dog something new, because positive reinforcement is the progressive and humane way to encourage your dog to act in a manner that you find desirable.

Dogs can also learn through unpleasant associations and conditioning but that topic takes us too far astray from the point of this particular article.

► Praise To Reinforce Good Behaviour

So, let's say your dog has successfully learned a new command, but over time you started to wonder whether your dog actually learned the new command at all because he's becoming more and more inconsistent with it.

One of the most common mistakes people make when training their dogs is to think that once the dog has been 'trained', the owners commitment to their dog's training is finished. This couldn't be further from the truth.

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Choosing The Right Breed Of Dog

In the Sales profession people are taught that buying decisions are generally based on emotional factors instead of logic and reasoning. In other words, people tend to let their hearts rule over their minds when it comes to buying.

It's certainly fair to suggest this is also the case when people choose a breed of dog to own. While pointing that out isn't intended to be judgmental, it is very good food for thought when you consider the large number of companion dogs being given up on in our communities.

So with several hundred dog breeds to choose from how will you choose which breed is the right one for you? Contact Premier Progressive Dog Training to assist you in evaluating the right breed, dog and temperament for you.

► The Type Of Breed

Most people pay little attention to the purpose behind a dog's breeding and that can definitely lead to problems. Remember - for countless centuries dogs have been specifically and purposely bred to fulfill roles and perform work for their human masters - the majority of which involved hunting, guarding or herding.

Just because dogs have become house-pets in the last fifty years or more doesn't mean that their instincts and DNA have been altered from their original purpose. Due to this it's important that you research your breeds of choice to determine if you have what it takes to fulfill the breeds needs. Failure to fulfill a dog's fundamental needs is the primary reason for so many behaviour problems in recent years.

► The Size Of The Breed

The size of the breed should be suitable for your living space. A large breed like a Saint Bernard or Great Dane in a one bedroom apartment might not be the most suitable pairing despite how beautiful or appealing you think the dog is.

Do you have children? Think about the dynamics that the size and energy level of the breed will have within your family. A large enthusiastic dog could turn young children into bowling pins and, of course, a delicate small dog amongst small children could be accidentally injured.

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