When it comes to training dogs, there are different approaches, and two popular ones are negative reinforcement and positive punishment. While they can work in certain situations, it's essential to know their potential drawbacks.

In this guide, we'll explore dog training techniques and focus on the cons of negative reinforcement and positive punishment. We'll talk about possible stress and confusion in dogs, the risk of aggression, and the importance of clear communication and timing.

Whether you're new to dog training or experienced, join us as we learn about different methods and how to create a positive and enjoyable training experience for our dogs! Let's build a loving and strong bond while teaching them good behaviors in the best way possible!

If you haven't already, take a look at the 4 Different Methods to Dog Training first to better understand the other dog training methods.

Negative Reinforcement

Understanding Negative Reinforcement in Dog Training

Negative reinforcement dog training can be useful in certain situations, but it also has some downsides to be aware of:

Stress and Anxiety

Confusion and Miscommunication

Risk of Overuse

Focus on Avoidance

Limits Problem-Solving

Potential for Aggression

Timing is Crucial

Doesn't Address Underlying Causes:

Negative reinforcement may stop unwanted behaviors, but it might not fix the root cause, leading to recurring issues. This usually happens when you take your dog to a board and train, your dog behaves well for a few months post-training. However, that "good" behavior doesn't last long, and the dog is back to square 1.

Inconsistent and Tool-Dependent:

Some negative reinforcement methods use tools like aversive collars, making consistency difficult and creating a reliance on these tools. Some people might say this can happen with Positive Reinforcement as well, but it's a bit different. We can slowly faze out treats and the dog will still perform the behaviors without them. With Negative Reinforcement, the dog will get rewarded if not punished, causing a lot of confusion.

Positive Punishment

Understanding Positive Punishment in Dog Training

Positive punishment dog training means using aversive stimuli to discourage bad behaviors. While it can work in some cases, there are downsides to consider:

Fear and Anxiety:

Aggressive Reactions

Temporary Behavior Suppression

Confusing Communication

Risk of Overcorrection

Negative Associations

Impact on the Relationship

Emotional Shutdown:

With this training method, the dog will become reliant on the punishment, the same with Negative Reinforcement but more intense. If the dog is not punished, because you were not physically there to punish, then the dog gets rewarded for the behavior, as opposed to a neutral consequence of forgetting to treat during Positive Reinforcement.

With both of these training methods comes more risks than rewards, because there are more chances to accidentally punish the right behaviors and see inconsistencies with the results.

Here are a few examples

Negative Reinforcement:

• Stopping the shock on a collar when the dog gets into the heel position
• Stopping the shock from an invisible fence when the dog gets back in the yard
• The choke chain releases when the dog stops pulling

Positive Punishment:

• Adding a shock when the dog barks
• Banging on the crate when the dog barks
• Adding a loud sound when the dog barks
• Doing a "leash pop" when the dog pulls on the leash

Aversives

Example of aversive tools:

• Shock collar
• Invisible fences
• Prong collar
• Choke chain
• Spray collar
• Bark collar
• Shaker cans (cans filled with coins or rocks)
• Spray bottles
• Pet corrector (loud sound)
• Air horn

Aversive training methods:

• Physical corrections
• Leash pops (tugging at the leash sharply and quickly)
• Alpha roll (physically turning the dog on its back and holding it down)
• Yelling, scolding
• Intense staring, or confrontational body language
• Holding the dog's mouth closed
• Imitating the mother dogs behavior, like pinching the back of the dog's neck
• Anything to do with alpha or dominant behaviors

The main takeaway here is that your dog can find anything aversive (negative). Since they are sentient beings, they determine what is negative and what is not. Some dogs may be afraid of men, or children, others might be afraid of anything moving in their environment. Even if you are the trainer, you don't get to choose what is aversive and what is not. This makes training this way even more difficult.

The punishment isn't a punishment.

For a punishment to be effective, it has to be intense enough to stop the behavior the first time. If not, the dog can become tolerant of the punishment and then continues the behavior even when you punish.

Example: You might notice this when you start using a shock collar, you're on level 1 and the dog stops most behaviors due to fear of being shocked. Then you start to notice that you have to continue increasing the shock level to stop the behavior, as a result, the dog continues to become tolerant of that level. Another more common example is yelling at your dog for barking. The dog will continue to bark even after you have yelled to the point where your throat hurts. This is because, to the dog, this isn't scary or painful enough to stop what they are doing. Thus, a continuous cycle of increasing the intensity of your punishment.

Fallout:

Fallout is referred to when a dog performs another behavior to escape or avoid punishment.

Example: You scold your puppy when they potty inside. You think they are learning that potty inside is bad, however, they might be learning that potty in front of you is bad, so they learn to not go when you're around, even if they are outside.

Escape/Avoidance:

The dog may learn to associate the punishment with the person, the situation, or the environment.

Learned Helplessness/Generalized Apathy:

We see this often in the homeless community, as well as in some dogs. This is when the dog just gives up trying anything new, due to confusion, or lack of consistency.

Example: You punish your dog for jumping on others, for barking, for pulling on the leash. Without rewarding the dog for the right behaviors, it can learn that trying anything new can be scary and unpredictable. So it doesn't do anything new. This may seem like a well-trained dog to most. You might have seen this kind of behavior in dogs when you get them back from a board and train (not all board and trains use aversive methods). Your dog's personality is almost nonexistent. They have no emotions, which by that point, is it still a fun-loving family member?

Learned Aggression:

Some dogs may become aggressive to their punisher or the punishment area.

Example: I worked with a white German Shepard some odd years ago. This dog was the best-trained dog I have ever worked with. He would perform any cue given to him; sit, down, place, come, back up...but... he was extremely aggressive to anyone entering the household. We learned this was because, in the past,

 the only way anyone besides the owner could enter was to spray him with a water bottle. He learned that he didn't like that and associated it with anyone entering the home (generalized).

Redirected Aggression:

I have seen this happen so many times, the owners are confused and scared. Redirected aggression is when the dog turns its aggression towards someone or another animal when they were not present in the initial punishment.

Example: The most common example I have seen comes from fearful dogs who are put in situations they don't want to be in. You take your dog to a social gathering, the park, or a busy outdoor mall... they react aggressively to something in their environment, the owner then tries to step in and stop the behavior, and the dog turns around and nips or bites at the owner. Even though, the owner wasn't the initial reason the dog started acting aggressively in the first place.

Generalization:

Dogs can associate several different elements in a training session. They can associate the punishment with men, or all men if the punishment comes from a man. They can even associate it with what the person was wearing; ie hats, color, the facial features. Other things that can be generalized are the location or the way the punishment was delivered.

Overall, training using these methods have more risks than positive reinforcement methods. We are humans, not robots, so we can't be perfect 100% of the time, even if we want to be. Learning involves being consistent and providing rewards and consequences. Why choose a method that has more risks? Because it's easier, faster, and less tedious... for now. Dogs are living beings, you can't expect them to obey simply because you said so, they need to be TAUGHT what is right and wrong.

Be a teacher to your dog, not a master.