Positive Reinforcement vs. the Rest: Why It’s a Clear Winner for Dog Training

A woman in a winter coat training a large Rottweiler outdoors, with the dog sitting up on its hind legs.

Positive reinforcement training strengthens the bond between you and your dog, making learning fun and effective.

By Siddhika Bhat, certified dog trainer and behaviourist, founder of Wagabonding: Dog Training and Beyond

When it comes to training your dog, the goal is to build a bond… not a barrier. The method you use will shape the nature of your relationship with your pup and, believe it or not, influence their emotional wellbeing and mental development. Aversive trainers might be doing the rounds online with quick fixes, but don’t be misled: just because the results seem instant doesn’t mean they’re kind or sustainable. You might stop a behaviour in the moment, but in the long run, you’re not just training your dog, you’re shaping their personality. So let’s explore why positive reinforcement is the standout choice for raising a confident, happy, and well-adjusted Aussie dog.

Cracking the Code on the Four Quadrants of Dog Training

Before we break down the different approaches, it helps to understand the science behind them. Most training methods are based on operant conditioning: a behavioural framework that explains how consequences influence behaviour.

Quick Look at Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning is a learning process that uses rewards and punishments to encourage or discourage behaviour. A dog that is rewarded for good behaviour is more likely to repeat it, while behaviour that results in punishment usually fades out. This framework was introduced by behavioural psychologist B.F. Skinner in the 1950s.

There are four main components in operant conditioning:

Positive: Something is added
Negative: Something is taken away
Reinforcement: Increases the likelihood of a behaviour
Punishment: Decreases the likelihood of a behaviour

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement involves giving your dog something they like, such as a treat, praise, or toy, immediately after they display a behaviour you want to encourage. It’s about making good behaviour rewarding so they choose to do it again.

For example, asking your dog to sit and giving them a treat when they do, or rewarding your pup for calmly lying in their bed during a thunderstorm, are both forms of positive reinforcement.

Pros

Encourages voluntary behaviour
Builds long-term learning and reliability
Works for dogs of all ages, breeds, and personalities
Adaptable across species
Strengthens trust between dog and guardian
Enhances problem-solving and focus

Cons

Can lead to reward-dependence if not transitioned properly
Less effective for stopping dangerous or urgent behaviours
Requires consistency and clear timing
Rewards given too late may reinforce the wrong action
May not suit high-stakes, high-distraction environments without support

A person holding a heart-shaped treat in front of a happy black dog sitting on a forest floor.

Rewarding good behaviour with treats helps reinforce positive habits and builds confidence in your dog.

Positive Punishment

Despite its name, positive punishment isn’t “positive” in the usual sense. Here, “positive” means something is added, and “punishment” means it reduces a behaviour. So, this method adds something unpleasant to discourage an unwanted action.

A common example is using a prong collar that tightens when a dog pulls on the lead. The added pressure is intended to stop the pulling.

Pros

Can quickly stop dangerous behaviour
Easy to implement in the moment
Sometimes used in emergencies

Cons

May increase aggression or defensive behaviour
Damages the human-dog relationship
Often causes anxiety or physical discomfort
Doesn’t teach the desired alternative behaviour
Can lead to suppression or fear-based compliance

Negative Reinforcement

Negative reinforcement removes something unpleasant when a dog performs the desired action, with the goal of encouraging that behaviour.

For example, pushing gently on a dog’s back until they sit, then releasing the pressure. Or, turning off the vacuum cleaner once your dog settles in their bed, reinforcing the idea that calm behaviour makes the noise go away.

Pros

Teaches cause-and-effect
Can work quickly in specific scenarios
Occasionally useful for encouraging avoidance of unsafe behaviours

Cons

May reinforce anxiety or fear if misapplied
Can lead to unpredictable responses or stress
Doesn’t always teach the right behaviour, just stops the wrong one
May erode trust with the handler
Relies on discomfort to produce results

Negative Punishment

This quadrant involves removing something your dog enjoys in response to an undesirable behaviour. For instance, if your dog bites too hard during play, taking the toy away temporarily teaches them that rough play means no fun.

When combined with positive reinforcement, this technique can offer a balanced and non-harmful way to guide behaviour.

Pros

Non-invasive and easy to apply
Stops unwanted behaviours without causing pain or fear
Supports associative learning
Effective when paired with positive reinforcement

Cons

Can cause frustration or confusion if overused
Less effective on its own
May lead to escalation before improvement (extinction burst)

A golden retriever lying on a cozy rug, looking content next to a jar labeled "Good Boy" filled with dog treats.

Consistent rewards create a happy, well-trained dog who associates learning with positive experiences.

Positive Reinforcement: The Clear Winner

Positive reinforcement has emerged as the most effective and ethical method of dog training, not just here in Australia, but around the world. It reflects a deeper understanding of dogs as emotional, intelligent beings who thrive on encouragement, routine, and safety. Rather than forcing compliance, positive reinforcement builds a willing partnership.

It:

Builds lasting trust between dogs and people
Creates a more productive, less stressful learning environment
Strengthens a dog’s memory and decision-making skills
Reduces anxiety and fear-based behaviour
Helps dogs look forward to training sessions
Supports long-term behaviour modification without fallout
Improves your own handling and communication skills

As the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) puts it:

“Positive reinforcement, giving a dog something it wants, is the preferred, humane, and effective training method. The AVA’s policy indicates that “negative reinforcement and positive punishment methods are not recommended… positive reinforcement training methods are recommended for modifying the behaviour of animals.”

Ready, Set, Train: The Future of Dog Training Is Positive!

Whether you’re raising a working breed on a regional property or living with a spoodle in a Sydney apartment, Australian dog guardians benefit from choosing positive reinforcement. It’s not just about obedience: it’s about respect, understanding, and building a life together.

No training method is perfect for every dog in every moment, but when you lead with patience and compassion, you’ll get lasting results that are good for both you and your dog. So grab some treats, cue up that tail wag, and train the Aussie way: calm, kind, and positively effective.