Positive reinforcement dog training utilizes rewards to mark correct behaviors in order to create new habits and commands; using this style of positive reward based operant conditioning creates a foundation of trust and understanding between human and dog. Other styles of training that may be labeled as "aversive" or "balanced" will include or focus on punishment based conditioning; the dog will be subjected to a negative physical and verbal stimulus in response to an undesired behavior.
The advantages to using positive reinforcement over other styles are limitless, and there is very minimal drawback. Your dog will perform wanted behaviors out of the desire to please, this leads to enthusiastic training sessions that will boost your dog's intelligence and confidence. The dog will obey commands given by any person out of the belief that the best things will happen when they cooperate with their human companions. The relationship between dog and human will be one of love and compassion, this means that the dog will look to the human for leadership and will not act out of fear. Command response will be much more consistent because the dog had to "learn" the desired behavior step by step until it was fully understood. The most beneficial aspect of this method is the growth it will create in your furry best friend, the sky is the limit when they are allowed to thrive with your support.
In contrast we have "aversive" or "balanced" training. Your dog will perform behaviors out of fear of being physically and verbally punished, these methods sometimes yield fast results but lead to anxiety and fear disorders in many dogs. The dog will only be on its best behavior when the handler is in control and in possession of correction/punishment devices, this is because the dog has learned that they will be punished when a certain set of requirements have been met (such as the handler being present with the feared device). The relationship between dog and human will be based on dominance and fear, this means the dog will never relax in order to avoid doing anything that will lead to a punishment. While the learning curve may be faster with these methods, the dog will have trouble with certain behaviors because they do not understand the "learning process" only how to avoid punishment. Any dog trained under these conditions will not be as happy, well balanced, and well trained as a dog brought up with positive reinforcement.
So why doesn't everyone use positive reinforcement? It's much faster to physically put a dog in a "sit" or "down" than it is to teach them step by step, and it's cheaper and faster to buy a choke/prong collar one time than it is to buy treats and train with them on every walk. The world we now live in is deeply based in instant gratification and an absence of responsibility, and due to this people are inherently impatient and don't like a style of training in which any failure is the owner's responsibility. Take ownership of the responsibility you accepted when you became a pet parent by investing in the development of your dog, celebrating and sharing your successes. Always be patient and know that there is nothing your dog wants more in this world than to please you and make you happy. If your dog fails, know that you simply asked for too much too soon, and they will get there with your support. There is something very special about the connection between dogs and humans, and the only way you can experience that lifelong bond is by using positive reinforcement.
