Positive reinforcement is the safer, more enjoyable way to train for both pups & their people!
Studies show Positive reinforcement is not only a more effective way to train animals, it is also more humane than past methods that rely on intimidation, force and pain, which have been known to actually increase aggression and anxiety.
Animals trained with positive reinforcement methods look forward to training and have a strong bond with their humans through shared positive experience!
They have shown less stress, more confidence and stronger problem solving skills! Since they know they can work to gain something they want instead of only work to avoid physical and psychological discomfort they have a very optimistic outlook on their world and a better quality of life!
Who should use positive reinforcement?
Anyone can learn how to use positive reinforcement training, both kids and adults can be skilled at it in no time!
Reward Based Training works for ALL species, from killer whales to humans!!
We are all just trying to get what we want or need out of our environment. We try things until we find something that we think works best and will continue doing it until we are shown something that works better! To the dismay of trainers and parents alike, often the things that work are annoying,disruptive or even harmful...Think a dog stealing items to get you to chase them( FUN) or a child acting out in the store in order to be offered a bribe to stop the behavior. Thoughtful positive reinforcement training is how we teach the better options and can be a LIFE changer for us ALL!!
Things you can train range from cute to complex. From fun tricks to life saving skills.
You can train your pet bird to count, your puppy to come when you call, an Alligator to safely stand still for a bath or change how a Lion feels about getting its blood drawn!
The options are pretty much limitless!! If you, like many of us, don't feel right about harming or threatening your animals to get them to do what you want them to do, then positive reinforcement is right for you too!
What the humans say about using positive reinforcement to train their pups;
People report feeling much happier when training their dogs and have a more positive outlook on life in general after training with a positive reinforcement. They say they feel their dogs are smart and enjoy a much better relationship with them. Both the pups & the people look forward to training!
However, many owners say they feel stressed, frustrated and disappointed in their dogs and themselves when using physical or verbal punishment. They feel they are betraying their pups trust and hurting their relationship.
Since punishment does not work better than rewards there is no reason to use it! We can have confidence choosing to train in a way that improves the quality of life for both us & our pups!
What the pups say;
They sure seem to LOVE it!!
Dogs trained with positive reinforcement tend to be more willing and confident learners. They look forward to training and share a strong bond with their people. They have shown to be more emotionally reliant and are able to cope better with stressful situations.
If a pup is fearful, reactive, anxious or aggressive then the experts insist positive reinforcement is the ONLY way to safely train!
Why-We-Dont-Punish.
What Science says;
The scientific community agrees that using reward- based training is not only effective but the clear ethical choice! A new study suggests that “Dogs from the Group Aversive( force and pain used in training) displayed more stress-related behaviors, spent more time in tense and low behavioral states and more time panting during the training sessions, showed higher elevations in cortisol levels after training and were more ‘pessimistic’ in the cognitive bias task than dogs from Group Reward.( Working to gain a reward) These findings indicate that the use of aversive-based methods compromises the welfare of companion dogs in both the short- and the long-term”
Dogs trained with reward based methods have been found to work longer with more vigor at difficult tasks because they find the work rewarding! On the contrary, when using punishment based methods, dogs show a lot more signs they are under stress and tend to need more breaks from training. Because working to avoid corrections that are physically or physiology uncomfortable and even painful is stressful! In recent years there has been a noticeable shift in the industry towards Positive Reinforcement and humane treatment of animals.
An article in the Times sites; Over the past 15 years, handlers with Guide Dogs for the Blind, have discontinued most of its aversive training techniques and are thrilled with the results! “ A dog can now be ready to guide its owner in half the time it once took, and they can remain with an owner for an extra year or two, because they’re so much less stressed out by the job”, says Susan Armstrong, the organization’s vice president of client, training and veterinary operations. Even bomb-sniffing and military dogs are seeing more positive reinforcement in their training. Armstrong says. “These dogs love working. They love getting rewards for good behavior. It’s serious, but it can be fun.” As more people realize they do not need to cause their dogs pain and fear to train them, the movement will continue to gain momentum! Saturating every part of the animal training industry. https://time.com/5880219/science-of-dog-training/
Study On punishment
But don't I need to be the pack Leader?
Short answer; nope! Punishment and dominance based methods popularized by Cesar Millan and others in the past are seen as antiquated and do not align with what science tells us about dog behavior!
Training that uses force, fear and pain is now not only deemed inhumane by the veterinary and behavior community, but has been proven to create dangerous behavioral and emotional fallout in many dogs. Leading to aggression, anxiety and serious bites.
DOMINANCE THEORY IS Dead!
In fact the very study that the pack/dominance training is based on is now known to be deeply flawed. The “alpha theory” a product of Rudolph Schenkels, 1947 study of wolves, in which animals from different packs were forced into a small enclosure with no prior interaction and observed to fight, is known to be wrongly interpreted as a battle for dominance to become the “Pack Leader”.
Schenkel would later admit the study was not an accurate representation of natural and healthy wolf pack behavior. It is said he spent the rest of his career trying to retract the “Alpha theory". Unfortunately once the public had embraced the term and the thought process. The alpha theory quickly became a part of popular culture and there was no taking it back.
Luckily through the tireless work of many advocates and scientists we are now able to access and rely on accurate and up to date behavioral science! We now use outlines like the “hierarchy roadmap” and LIMA to guide us in our work with animals.
“LIMA” is an acronym for the phrase “least intrusive, minimally aversive.” LIMA describes a trainer or behavior consultant who uses the least intrusive, minimally aversive strategy out of a set of humane and effective tactics likely to succeed in achieving a training or behavior change objective.