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Psychology

Positive reinforcement dog training, explained

What it means, what the research says, and what it looks like when your dog does something you don't want.

By Pawfessor Editorial TeamPublished 1 min read

A man sitting on a picnic blanket gently stroking his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Positive reinforcement means adding something your dog likes right after a behavior, so that behavior happens more often. It’s the method behind every guide on this site and every lesson in the Pawfessor app.

How it works

Your dog sits. You say “yes” and give a treat. Sitting becomes more likely. That’s positive reinforcement: positive because something is added, reinforcement because the behavior gets stronger.

Rewards can be food, play, praise, or access to something your dog wants: going outside, saying hello, sniffing a lamppost.

Frequently asked questions

Is positive reinforcement just bribery?

No. A bribe is shown before the behavior to get it. A reward comes after. Lures are faded quickly so your dog responds to the cue, not the visible treat.

Does positive reinforcement work for big or stubborn dogs?

Yes. Reward based methods work across breeds and sizes. Strong or independent dogs may need better rewards and more patience, not harsher methods.

Does positive training mean no rules?

No. You still set boundaries and manage behavior. The difference is how you teach: by showing and rewarding what you want, not by causing fear or pain.

Sources and further reading

  1. (2021). Position Statement on Humane Dog Training. American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB).
  2. Ziv, G. (2017). The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs: a review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 19, 50–60.
  3. Vieira de Castro, A. C., Fuchs, D., Morello, G. M., Pastur, S., de Sousa, L., and Olsson, I. A. S. (2020). Does training method matter? Evidence for the negative impact of aversive-based methods on companion dog welfare. PLOS ONE, 15(12), e0225023.
  4. Herron, M. E., Shofer, F. S., and Reisner, I. R. (2009). Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 117(1–2), 47–54.
  5. Hiby, E., Rooney, N., and Bradshaw, J. (2004). Dog training methods: their use, effectiveness and interaction with behaviour and welfare. Animal Welfare, 13(1), 63–69.

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