What is Positive Dog Training?

Positive Training is a hot word in the dog training community right now, but what does it really mean?  Lots of trainers throw the word around, but do they really understand and adhere to positive training?

Positive Training is based in science, specifically Pavlov and Skinner. Operant conditioning and classical conditioning work for teaching all species. Actions which are reinforced or rewarded will be repeated. Plain and simple. 

Would you continue to do a job when you were never paid, or no one said thank you?  What if you were always told you were wrong, but never advised what the "right" thing was or how to earn your reward? Sounds tough!

How about instead you were given information on how to do the “right” thing and information on how to improve to earn even more rewards in the future? This highlights the difference between positive training and force based/traditional training. Positive training focuses on what our dog is doing right and reinforcing it.  Ignore the less desired behaviors and they will naturally go away. 

For example, if your dog jumps up on you to say hello, turn away and give the behavior no attention. No touch, piercing gaze or anything. When your dog has all four feet on the floor, praise and pet for this behavior, possibly even offer a tiny tasty morsel. With practice, your dog will learn that there is no reinforcement for jumping up.

A reward or reinforcer is defined by the receiver. Some dogs will work for praise, others may need something a bit higher value such as a tasty morsel.

This principle can be applied to all of our relationships and interactions with each other. Give it a try and tell me how it goes!