“Positive Reinforcement” has become a familiar term when considering how to train a dog. However, there is definitely a lot of confusion about what this means and how it applies to the dog being trained.
Let me clear this up. If the dog is doing something good, or if the dog stops doing the unwanted or negative behavior, THEN the dog should receive “Positive Reinforcement” by way of praise, hugs, belly rubs, treats, a toy; whatever the dog will perceive as a reward for good behavior.
Here is an example to help explain the difference. Let’s say that a large dog is jumping on a person and biting them or pulling at the person’s sleeve. If a trainer or family member offers the dog a treat to distract the dog and get the dog off a person; yes, the trainer or pet parent might stop the jumping and biting, but it is TEMPORARY and SHORT-LIVED. The worst part is that the DOG WAS REWARDED FOR BAD BEHAVIOR; thereby teaching / conditioning the dog to understand that if he jumps on a person or bites them again, he will get another treat.
In a more simplified and less benign situation, if your dog jumps up on you and you pet him, he will not learn to stop jumping. If you allow and unwanted behavior and reward the dog by petting him, you are condoning it and conditioning the dog to continue doing the unwanted behavior.
In short, the dog is receiving “POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT FOR NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR”.
Let me clear this up. If the dog is doing something good, or if the dog stops doing the unwanted or negative behavior, THEN the dog should receive “Positive Reinforcement” by way of praise, hugs, belly rubs, treats, a toy; whatever the dog will perceive as a reward for good behavior.
