Force-Free Training and Behaviour Modification

Let’s briefly have a look at the core differences between force-free/positive reinforcement/rewards-based training and behaviour modification and aversive/balanced/positive punishment/negative reinforcement methods.

1. Force-free/positive reinforcement/rewards-based methods: 

• • Using rewards to encourage a specific behaviour.
  • Focusing on patience, trust, clarity, encouragement, kindness, and guidance to encourage a dog to learn.
  • Reinforcing desired behaviours.
  • Taking the dog’s emotional state, previous experiences, external environmental conditions, and the dog’s age and breed into consideration when training.
  • Encouraging a relationship of love and trust between a dog and their guardian.
  • Using methods that are based on how dogs learn.

2. Aversive/balanced/positive punishment/negative reinforcement methods:

• • Using equipment such as choke chains, shock collars, slip leads, prong collars, spray bottles, shaker cans, invisible fences, anti-barks systems or any product that hurts, surprises, intimidates, or scares an animal.
  • Using behaviours such as yelling, smacking, kicking, rolling, pulling, or holding the dog’s mouth closed.
  • Using any methods that is aversive to the dog i.e. something that is unpleasant or uncomfortable to the dog.
  • Doing anything that may cause a dog emotional, mental, or physical harm.
  • Focusing on terms and definitions such as assertive; dominant; alpha; pack leader.