Positive And Negative Reinforcement In Dog Training
Posted on March 7th, 2010 by Kurt Dorey

An obedient dog is a good dog, but they do not get this way naturally. In order to get a well-trained dog, one must begin the dog’s training and conditioning while the dog is still very young. For the most part, people attempt dog training on their own, however there are a few who may turn to an obedience school for very thorough dog training.
The first and most common form of training for dogs is positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement simply means doing something positive for the dog to reward correct behavior. This can come in the form of physical or audible praise, or more effectively, in the form of a doggie treat. Pet owners often give dogs a treat to reward good behavior, as this is one of the surest ways to ensure the dog repeats those good behaviors in the future.
On the other side of the coin, many pet owners use negative reinforcement to combat bad behavior. This can be as simple as the classic “bad dog” or a tap on their behind to let them know that they were bad. Many advanced forms of negative reinforcement use some sort of electric collar.
There are shock collars available that are widely used in dog training to curb a particular type of bad behavior such as excessive barking. These are commonly known as “bark collars” and will send a mild electric shock into the dog’s neck each time he barks. By wearing a collar for an extended period of time, the dog learns to curb her incessant barking.
Another form of electrical negative reinforcement that follows the same theory is the shock collar for the invisible fence. The invisible fence will set up boundaries for the dog. After the dog gets a few shocks from trying to cross the boundary, the dog will eventually learn where it can and cannot go.
House training a dog is a very important part of dog training. The best way to house train a dog is with a mix of positive reinforcement and mild negative reinforcement. Give the dog a treat when it goes outside, and discipline it when it goes to the bathroom inside. Dogs can often recognize tone, so use this to your advantage. One quick note: try and avoid using their name (as in just shouting their name when they do something bad) as they cannot distinguish this and may think that you are just calling them to go out.
Training a dog is by no means easy but is well worth the time and effort as a dog can serve as a companion, guardian, or helper. Exercising patience during the dog training assures great results and helps build trust between owner and dog. A well-trained dog is an untiring pleasure that everyone can enjoy.
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