Positive Reinforcement - Best way of training?

Positive Reinforcement - Best way of training?

You're training your dog, but what is the best course of action? What is positive reinforcement? Is it effective? All these questions will be answered below!

Positive vs Negative

POSTIVE - ADDING SOMETHING

NEGATIVE - removing SOMETHING

vs

reinforcement - Encouraging a behaviour

PUNISHMENT - PREVENTING A BEHAVIOUR

What is Positive Reinforcement

What is Negative Reinforcement

Negative reinforcement is where you remove something in hopes to encourage a behaviour

Positive reinforcement is where you add something in hopes to encourage a behaviour

For example... Pushing on a dogs bum to make them sit then removing the pressure when they do sit, will make them more likely to sit to avoid the pressure.

For example... Asking your dog to sit and giving them a treat when they do is positively reinforcing them. Adding the treat is making the "sit" more likely to occur!

What is Positive Punishment

What is Negative Punishment

Positive Punishment is where you add something in hopes to prevent a behaviour

Negative Punishment is where you remove something in hopes to prevent a behaviour

For example... Ignoring your dog when they jump up, will decrease the likelihood of them doing it again

For example... Adding a choke collar to stop a dog from pulling

Is Positive Reinforcement effective?

It is recomended by many professional dog trrainers/behaviourists that if you do use Punishment, ALWAYS follow it up srtraight after with positive reinforcement. Instead of telling your dog what they can't do, show them what they can do instead. Keeping the training positive can keep the dog focused and wanting to learn, meaning they learn quicker and more effectively.