Positive Reinforcement Training: What Is It?

Have you heard of positive reinforcement training recently? You might well have, considering the waves it’s making in the dog world. It’s got a long and complicated-sounding name, but the concept is actually pretty straightforward. And now, science is showing it to be a super-effective training method for our canine companions. So, if you've ever wondered what all the fuss is about, this is the post for you.

Growing up, did you ever get treats for being good? Your favourite dessert when you achieved a great score on that test? A dollar for cleaning the house? … And when you received those treats or rewards, didn’t it make you want to do it again?

That's positive reinforcement!

In a dog's world, praise is everything.They’ve evolved over the generations to work alongside us, so it makes sense that pleasing their human companions is a major motivation for them. Science backs this up too:

This 2020 study found that “training with positive reinforcement was found to be more effective at addressing the target behavior as well as general obedience training. This method of training also poses fewer risks to dog welfare and quality of the human-dog relationship.”

In search dog training, this study found that “positive training methods were preferred and were associated with performance success.”

Another research project found that “training methods based on positive reinforcement are less stressful and potentially betterfor (canine) welfare.”

While this study found that positive reinforcement in the form of food “shortened the time taken for the responseto the command to be completed.”

This 2020 study found that “training with positive reinforcement was found to be more effective at addressing the target behavior as well as general obedience training. This method of training also poses fewer risks to dog welfare and quality of the human-dog relationship.”

In search dog training, this study found that “positive training methods were preferred and were associated with performance success.”

Another research project found that “training methods based on positive reinforcement are less stressful and potentially betterfor (canine) welfare.”

While this study found that positive reinforcement in the form of food “shortened the time taken for the responseto the command to be completed.”

So how do you use positive reinforcement with dogs?

Positive reinforcement training means finding your dog’s preferred reward and using it to encourage desired behaviors. Typical rewards include:

Food- Most pups are pretty food-driven, so using small amounts of treats, kibble, or other dog-friendly food can be a universal training tool.

P.S. - Once your dog has the idea of a command or trick, you can begin to very slowly phase out any food treats, and transition to other types of praise. This’ll help make sure that waistline stays healthy!

Toys - Some dogs have an incredibly high prey drive, which means they may be way more interested in a game of tug of warthan a piece of chicken.

Praise - Some pooches just love to please,so a “good girl” or a belly rub can be their favorite treat.

So how do you use positive reinforcement with dogs?

Positive reinforcement training means finding your dog’s preferred reward and using it to encourage desired behaviors. Typical rewards include:

Food- Most pups are pretty food-driven, so using small amounts of treats, kibble, or other dog-friendly food can be a universal training tool.

P.S. - Once your dog has the idea of a command or trick, you can begin to very slowly phase out any food treats, and transition to other types of praise. This’ll help make sure that waistline stays healthy!

Toys - Some dogs have an incredibly high prey drive, which means they may be way more interested in a game of tug of warthan a piece of chicken.

Praise - Some pooches just love to please,so a “good girl” or a belly rub can be their favorite treat.

But don’t be limited to these, find whatever makes your pup tick and use it!

General guidelines

Whilst simply rewarding desired behaviors may sound easy, practice, timing and technique are everything when it comes to successful positive reinforcement training. Here are some general guidelines to keep you on the right track:

Timing - Correct timing is absolutely essential. Why? Because positive reinforcement is about making connections. A connection between a behavior and a reward. So to capture the behavior and really help your dog understand the concept, a reward must occur at exactly the moment of the behavior. For example, if you are training a sit, don’t wait for your dog to stand back up before you reward! In this scenario, you’d have to try again, and get your timing on point for when that butt hits the ground.

But don’t be limited to these, find whatever makes your pup tick and use it!

General guidelines

Timing - Correct timing is absolutely essential. Why? Because positive reinforcement is about making connections. A connection between a behavior and a reward. So to capture the behavior and really help your dog understand the concept, a reward must occur at exactly the moment of the behavior. For example, if you are training a sit, don’t wait for your dog to stand back up before you reward! In this scenario, you’d have to try again, and get your timing on point for when that butt hits the ground.

Simple commands- Simplicity and consistency is always going to make for more effective training. Keep your commands to one word and use clear hand gestures, and make sure the whole family follows this word and gesture, so that everyone who interacts with your dog is on the same page. Start by getting the behavior you want (by luring with a treat) and phase in commands once your pooch starts to get the hang of what you’re asking them to do.

Short and sweet - Learning new things is hard on the brain. So be sure to give your dog plenty of breaks. Keep training sessions to no more than 30 minutes at most too. If you notice your dog yawning, mouthing or barking excessively they may be getting frustrated or tired and need a recess.

Shaping - For harder to grasp concepts, work in simple steps and ask for something close to the desired behavior first. For example, if you wanted to teach roll over, start by getting your dog used to being on their back first, before proceeding to teach them how to turn completely over.

Simple commands- Simplicity and consistency is always going to make for more effective training. Keep your commands to one word and use clear hand gestures, and make sure the whole family follows this word and gesture, so that everyone who interacts with your dog is on the same page. Start by getting the behavior you want (by luring with a treat) and phase in commands once your pooch starts to get the hang of what you’re asking them to do.

Short and sweet - Learning new things is hard on the brain. So be sure to give your dog plenty of breaks. Keep training sessions to no more than 30 minutes at most too. If you notice your dog yawning, mouthing or barking excessively they may be getting frustrated or tired and need a recess.

Shaping - For harder to grasp concepts, work in simple steps and ask for something close to the desired behavior first. For example, if you wanted to teach roll over, start by getting your dog used to being on their back first, before proceeding to teach them how to turn completely over.

Top tip: Cause and effect

Be aware that anything your dog actively enjoys is technically a “reward”. So be sure to think through the cause and effect of any behavior-related issues you are working on. For example, if you let your dog outside when they are barking - in a bid to try and quiet them - then this teaches your pup that barking gets them outside to play!

So really think through anything you feel isn’t working.Ask yourself how you can make it simpler, easier to understand and move more towards desired behaviors.

We hope this guide gives you an overview on how to incorporate positive reinforcement into your training regime...

For a happy, healthy dog and many more successful tricks!

Top tip: Cause and effect

So really think through anything you feel isn’t working.Ask yourself how you can make it simpler, easier to understand and move more towards desired behaviors.

We hope this guide gives you an overview on how to incorporate positive reinforcement into your training regime...

For a happy, healthy dog and many more successful tricks!