What's the difference and why does it matter?

Putting the training myths to bed

Dog Behaviour Clinic only uses positive, relationship centred methods.  We do not believe in using ANY force, pain or fear when training animals. We do not use aversive tools or techniques, we do not use pressure tactics or compulsion.

Some of the criticisms used by "balanced" trainers or “pack leader” trainers::

·         Only using positive reinforcement does not work for some dogs

·         Positive reinforcement is permissive

·         Positive reinforcement means giving food forever

·         There's no discipline. You just shove treats down a dog's throat

Positive reinforcement works for ANY and EVERY dog.  In fact, it works with any animal.

Positive reinforcement is not permissive. Humane discipline is a key part of positive training. But that “discipline” involves teaching a dog to make the right choices by giving them alternatives, not 'correcting' them. 

Treats or play used as a reward for reinforcement can be faded out once behaviours are learned. They are not a permanent feature for the rest of the dog’s life although…….it is still nice to occasional reward a behaviour now and then. It’s a bit like getting a bonus from the boss at work!

I found the following quote on a balanced trainers website

"The problem with the all-positive training method is that you can never teach your dog to obey you simply because you are the "pack leader".  Touch-free training, clicker training... they all involve coaxing, luring with treats and simply put - pleading for your dog to listen."

The main elements in the balanced dog training method are negative correction and positive reinforcement.  Dogs live for the moment, so both reward and correction must be for the moment, too. For negative correction, we use "startle tactics".  A simple, humane leash and collar correction (which is tight for only 1 second) is given, NOT hitting the dog or yelling "Bad dog!" The objective is to startle the dog in the midst of the undesirable behaviour. "

Sadly, they clearly do not understand the concepts of learning theory, scientific research or for that matter - dog behaviour!

Let's examine their "theory" step by step.

1. "you can never teach your dog to obey you simply because you are the "pack leader"  

Of course we can't and we would not want to. We will never be a pack leader to our dogs. A pack is a group of related same species animals! The true meaning of the word “pack” implies, those that are born into the social group. Dogs kept as pets live in a family unit with us. They also know we are not of the same species!

2. "Touch-free training, clicker training... they all involve coaxing, luring with treats and simply put - pleading for your dog to listen."

We do not coax - we reward and reinforce the wanted behaviour.  Would you go to work if your boss stopped paying you?  We certainly do not lure - luring is outdated and not force free. We capture wanted behaviour.

3. "The main elements in the balanced dog training method are negative correction and positive reinforcement."

Negative correction - there is no such term.  I think the writer actually meant negative reinforcement and positive punishment.

Negative reinforcement (-R) is a term described by B. F. Skinner in his theory of operant conditioning. In negative reinforcement, a response or behaviour is strengthened by stopping, removing, or avoiding a negative outcome or aversive stimulus. Aversive stimuli tend to involve some type of discomfort, either physical or psychological. 

Positive punishment - (+P) is a term described by B. F. Skinner in his theory of operant conditioning. Adding something that makes the behaviour less likely to be repeated.  “Positive” refers to adding something.  For example, a dog pulls on his lead while walking.  The owner adds an abrupt jerk on his collar. The dog may momentarily stop pulling. 

4. "Dogs live for the moment, so both reward and correction must be for the moment, too. For negative correction, we use "startle tactics".  A simple, humane leash and collar correction (which is tight for only 1 second) is given,"

Startle......! What they fail to mention is that startling a dog can lead to very bad consequences. Anxiety, stress, fear and even aggression.  Why force a dog to behave when we can get the same result without affecting the handler/owner relationship and causing another unwanted behaviour?

Let's look at this from the human point of view.  Your boss at work asks you to stay on beyond your paid hours to finish an urgent job.  What would influence you to do it?  Time off in lieu?  Extra money? Additional holiday? Or would you do it because he threatened you - docking your hours, ending your employment?

Dr Rachel Casey, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Bristol University, said:  

“The blanket assumption that every dog is motivated by some innate desire to control people and other dogs is frankly ridiculous.  It hugely underestimates the complex communicative and learning abilities of dogs. It also leads to the use of coercive training techniques, which compromise welfare and actually cause problem behaviours."

The use of leash jerks, choke and prong collar corrections, and use of electric shock might stop the behaviour temporarily, but what are you really teaching the dog?  All you have done is temporarily suppress the unwanted behaviour. There is nothing "balanced" about a dog that is in a state of learned helplessness after being constantly corrected or has become anxious or fearful of you.

Another term often bandied about is LIMA. LIMA stands for Least Intrusive Method Available.  In other words, it is a blanket statement that really means if positive methods don’t work we can use whatever does work….! If positive reinforcement has not worked it is our job to find out why. Did we start the training in a low distraction place? Is the dog unwell or injured? Is he tired? Is he anxious about something? Have we been clear in our communication?

Research clearly shows that that punitive training methods harm dogs and cause unintended behavioural fallout. Science has proven that R+/operant conditioning/positive reinforcement/shaping/clicker training/capturing is superior in teaching animals and aids in their learning.

Ziv G 2017. The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs—A review. Journal Of Veterinary Behavior

Cooper J et al 2014. The Welfare Consequences and Efficacy of Training Pet Dogs with Remote Electronic Training Collars in Comparison to Reward Based Training. PLOSone

Blackwell et al 2007. The relationship between training methods and the occurrence of behavior problems, as reported by owners, in a population of domestic dogs. Journal of Veterinary Behavior

Herron, M.E., F.S.Shofer and I.R. Reisner (2009) Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesirable behaviors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 117:47-54.

Hiby, E.F et al  2004. Dog training method: their use, effectiveness and interaction with behaviour and welfare. Animal Welfare