When you start exploring dog training and trainers in your area, you will often hear words such as “Force free, balanced, positive reinforcement only, Dominance training, Relationship based” etc. So what do they all mean? These words encompass the science behind training dogs, although not every trainer will use every scientific method behind dog training. One of the most common training types emerging now is Positive Only. What this means is that out of the four scientific quadrants, trainers prefer to use only one - adding something to increase the frequency of a behavior. While this is one of the quadrants that works, it is not the only one and often clients will soon find their dogs choosing to not follow through with their training as there has not been follow through on the human’s part to enforce the command.

On the other side of the spectrum is “Dominance training” which again, only uses one quadrant - positive punishment - adding something to decrease the frequency of a behavior. With this style of training, clients will often see that although their dog will perform a command, they do so with no motivation to please their owners and the relationship is very broken, if there at all.

So is there a middle ground? I’m so glad you asked! This is where you will hear the term “Balanced Training”. With balanced training, a trainer will use all four quadrants of the scientific method of how dogs learn in order to make communication as clear as possible. We use R+ to increase the frequency of a behavior, R- to remove something to increase the frequency of a behavior, P+ to add something to decrease the frequency of a behavior, and P- to remove something to decrease the frequency of a behavior.

Through the different ways I have trained under different organizations and through training countless dogs, I have found that the best way to communicate with them exactly what our expectations are is through balanced training. I absolutely love showing dogs exactly what I want and giving them big parties with treats, praise, play (and a few dance parties) when they understand and perform something correctly. I will also use clear communication through discipline to let them know boundaries and when they do something that is not correct. This minimizes a guessing game for our dogs and allows them to perform the correct answer more often and quicker.

My biggest goal through all of training is to be as clear as possible in communication between you and your dog. I always strive to train the dog in front of me. Some dogs will need only motivation to achieve what is asked of them, and others will need more clear discipline especially when they are not heavily motivated. Every dog will require a different balance of all four quadrants; no two dogs are the same in what they need. But because we have all 4 quadrants to move with and work with, we can help every single dog exactly the way they need. Through this scientific method and hands on experience with countless dogs, I have found that rewards based balanced training has allowed the clearest of communication, removes any uncertainty for the dogs, and allows you and your dog’s relationship to grow and last a lifetime.