Reward-Based Training

All Pawsitive Results classes feature dog-friendly, reward-based training. We use the principles of operant conditioning, which are scientific laws of learning. These principles have proven results. There are a lot of myths concerning training with rewards. Learn the facts!

If I train with food, I'm bribing my dog.

There's a difference between bribing and rewarding. Is your paycheck a bribe for you doing a good job? Of course not -- it's what you deserve for a job well done! We'll teach you how to use food as an effective paycheck for your dog.

If I'm not tough with my dog, he'll think he's the alpha and be dominant.

You need to set rules for your dog and stick to them. You need to control his resources (his food, toys, etc.) in order to be a good leader. You should NOT be a bully. All that alpha-rolling, scruff shaking and yanking a dog around is not teaching him what you may think. In fact, it can lead to aggressive behavior. Veterinary researchers at the University of Pennsylvania completed a study demonstrating that owners who use aggressive techniques with their dogs ended up with dogs who were aggressive.

There has been so much talk about "dominance" from some trainers and television shows, that now every time a dog looks you in the eye it's cause for alarm. In truth, dominance is rarely an issue, and dominance theory should not be the basis for training your dog. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has released a position statement against the use dominance theory on the behavior modification of animals.
 

You can effectively discipline your dog without using physical methods. For example, marine mammal trainers get killer whales to do all sorts of things, without using harsh methods. If they can achieve that, why should we have to push or yank our dogs into obedience? They're a lot smaller and more forgiving than killer whales, so it should be easier to get them to do what we want! It is -- we'll show you how.

If I train with food, I'll have to use food forever.

Not if you do it right! Food is the fastest way to your dog's brain. It's a powerful motivator. Once your dog learns what you want, you start to wean off the food. We'll show you how to do it right.

Reward-based training is only for easy dogs.

I've faced huge, snarling dogs with severe histories of aggression, armed with only a hot dog. With great success. (I still have all my limbs to prove it!) Reward-based training works with dogs that yank you down the street, jump all over your family and growl over their food bowls. It's actually a better method for these types of dogs than the old-fashioned power plays. It takes strength to muscle a dog into doing what you want, and all family members may not be able to do it. But almost anyone can motivate a dog using rewards.

I'll get faster results if I use a choke chain or prong collar.

The secret to successful training is you, not your equipment. The students who get the fastest results are the ones who apply themselves and do their homework. It sometimes may seem that punishment-based collars get fast results -- but dogs then often won't respond unless they're wearing those collars. They can also cause fallout -- potential problems with fear or aggression. For example, if a playful dog gets overexcited around other dogs, and he gets yanked every time he lunges toward them, he may become aggressive towards other dogs because he believes they are causing his painful correction. With reward-based training, you can teach your dog to want to pay more attention to you, rather than having to force him. 

Contact: 803-356-9170 or PawsitiveResults@sc.rr.com

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