Q: Is positive reinforcement always best?

A: Positive reinforcement – rewarding wanted behaviours rather than punishing unwanted ones – is the gold standard in modern dog training. It builds trust, motivation, and emotional safety, leading to stronger learning and a happier partnership.

However, ‘always best’ doesn’t mean ‘never boundaries.’ True positive training includes structure, timing, and clarity. Dogs thrive when they understand what earns reward and what ends the game. The key is fairness, not permissiveness.

Sometimes, what people call ‘positive’ is actually overstimulation – rapid-fire treats or excitement that pushes the dog’s arousal too high to think clearly. The best trainers focus on calm reinforcement and help dogs learn emotional regulation, not just tricks.

So yes, positive reinforcement is the foundation. But the real art lies in balance: clear communication, consistent feedback, and respect for the individual dog’s stress limits.