Benefits of Positive Reinforcement Training

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At Wonder Dog Training, we don’t just use positive reinforcement because it’s force-free and kinder to your pups…

It’s also science 🤓

With positive reinforcement training, it’s all about giving your dog a choice. When your pup chooses to do the desired behaviors instead of being coerced into doing it through punishment, (shock collars, prong collars, choke chains, leash corrections, etc.), they’re more likely to repeat the behavior!

Studies have shown (see, we told you it was science!) that dogs that have had positive reinforcement training:

  • Show higher levels of obedience
  • Are less likely to show signs of anxiety or aggression
  • Are more likely to look forward to training

But there are even more benefits to force-free training than that! Here are 4 benefits of using positive reinforcement training with your dog:

  1. Better communication: To train your dog effectively, you need to be able to communicate with each other. Force-free training develops your and your dog’s communication skills and gives you a common language: rewards! Rewards vary since every dog has unique drives and motivations. The most common rewards are: play, praise, affection, games, and treats.
  2. A stronger bond: Is there anything better than the bond between a dog and their human? Because positive reinforcement training is all about rewarding good behavior (and not punishing bad behavior), you build a strong relationship based on trust, respect, and love.
  3. Great source of enrichment for your dog: This training style forces your pup to think through their actions, decode the behavior you’re asking for, and choose to do that behavior. All of that takes a lot of brain power! Positive reinforcement training also teaches your dog to pay attention to you and check in with you frequently.
  4. Builds your dog’s confidence: Pairing activities or environmental triggers that make your dog unsure, anxious, or scared with positive interactions, (like treats and toys), is a great way to desensitize your dog, help him overcome anxiety, and build his confidence.

Interested in learning more about using positive reinforcement with your dog? Call us at (760) 739-0580, and book a session with one of our fantastic trainers today!