3 things you need to know when Balanced Dog Training

Yes, one could argue that there are many different ways to humanely and effectively change canine behavior and teach necessary cues, but none of those methods requires you to physically intimidate, frighten, or inflict pain upon your dog. Find out with Petlandlove in the article below!

Balanced Dog Training

Whenever I hear people discussing balanced dog training, I can’t help but feel disappointed. This term has now come to represent a mix of positive reinforcement and physical punishment or corrections. It reflects the idea that there isn’t just one correct way to train a dog, a phrase often heard by those who believe in purely positive methods.

It’s true that different dogs respond better to various training techniques, such as clicker training, lure-reward, or Bond-Based Choice Teaching®. This new concept focuses on building a bond with dogs and meeting their needs rather than just teaching commands for human approval. Personally, I like to combine bonding with teaching cues gently, guiding dogs to learn and have fun in the process. These approaches are not only effective for basic training but also for dealing with aggression in dogs of all types.

While some may resort to harsh methods like using prong collars to control a dog’s behavior, it takes a deeper understanding of canine behavior to truly change how a dog thinks, feels, and reacts. There are many humane and effective ways to modify canine behavior and teach commands without resorting to intimidation, fear, or pain.

Science doesn’t lie

Research consistently demonstrates that punitive methods are no more effective than reward-based techniques in balanced dog training. Dogs subjected to punishment-based methods often experience heightened stress and anxiety during training. A study on shock collars revealed that even when used according to manufacturer guidelines, the collars caused significant distress to dogs, leading to repeated stress signals and disengagement from the handler and training environment.

Given the option, why not opt for a more compassionate approach that doesn’t cause unnecessary stress and discomfort to your furry companion?

One common misconception about positive reinforcement training is that it lacks discipline, with the belief that it simply involves giving treats and praise to dogs. However, this notion is incorrect.

Teach, don’t punish

Teaching a dog to make the right choices through positive training is essential, rather than just correcting them constantly. It’s important to provide alternatives and opportunities for these intelligent and emotional animals to think and learn, instead of treating them like robots that can be controlled with punishment and rewards.

While physical corrections may temporarily stop unwanted behavior, it’s crucial to consider what the dog is actually learning in the long run. Punishment can have lasting negative effects on a dog’s well-being and behavior, leading to learned helplessness and fear-based responses.

According to police K9 trainer Steve White, punishment can have severe consequences similar to a nuclear bomb, causing long-term damage to a dog’s behavior. Many trainers, including myself, often have to address issues caused by punitive methods used by previous trainers and work to rehabilitate the dogs.

A truly balanced dog tranning is one that is confident, guided towards making good choices, and allowed to learn without constant correction, regardless of age, breed, or drive. There are various effective ways to train a dog, but so-called balanced training involving punishment is not considered beneficial in the long term.

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