| Positive Training |
Traditional Training |
| Dogs repeat behaviors that are rewarded. |
Dogs must be forced to behave. |
| Teaches alternatives to unwanted behaviors. |
Corrects mistakes without teaching alternatives. |
| Dogs & their humans enjoy training. |
Dogs & most humans do not enjoy training based on punishment. |
| Based on research on how dogs and other animals learn. Zoos and aquariums use positive training too. |
Based on dominance theory rooted in outdated research on wolves. Intimidation is used to show your dog who’s boss. |
| Dogs learn to trust their owners. |
Can lose your dog’s trust using punishment (yelling, shaking, squirting, hitting, yanking, throwing something at a dog, shocking, etc). |
| Reinforcement makes behavior stronger when applied randomly. |
Punishment is ineffective when applied randomly. |
| Looks at the root of a behavior problem (i.e., most aggression is fear-based; so, you want to create positive associations with the trigger, not punish your dog). |
Suppresses a behavior without addressing the problem (ie, choke chains to suppress aggressive barking). The problem may reappear in a new unwanted behavior. |
| Cannot create fear & anxiety issues. |
Can create fear & anxiety issues. |
| Creates positive associations using rewards. |
Can create negative associations leading to reactivity/aggression. (If your dog is yanked for barking at another dog, he may start to blame other dogs for the discomfort or pain.) |
| Provides mental stimulation. Dogs think. |
Some dogs shut down to avoid punishment. |
| Manages the environment to help dogs practice wanted behavior. |
Dogs are corrected for unwanted behaviors. |
| Builds a cooperative relationship with a willing partner. |
Dog is punished as a teaching tool, even before the dog knows what’s expected. |
| Doesn’t cause injury to dogs or people. |
Dogs and people can be injured using force. |
