Pure Positive Training or Balanced Dog Training? Which is Better (and Why)?

I care for and walk a lot of dogs. But, first, allow me to state that I am a dog walker. I am not a dog trainer. If you have a dog that is causing trouble, barking incessantly, aggressive or reactive, seek a qualified trainer with good reviews — preferably recommended to you by someone you know and trust. Not all trainers are effective. Some can actually harm your dog. Do your research. If the trainer doesn’t provide the results you need, do more research, check references, ask to sit in on a class, check reviews, and try another trainer.

What is Pure Positive Training? Simply put, it is training that is focused on positive reinforcement only. The idea is to not punish your dog for misbehaving but rather teach them what they should be doing and reward them for doing good things. Some go so far as not even to teach your dog the word “no.” Again, rather than being punitive for wrong behavior, the idea is that you should be teaching them what to do instead.

Balanced Training, by comparison, includes the reward-based training techniques that pure positive trainers use. But, they add adverse training techniques when necessary, such as prong collars, e-collars, slip leads, etc. Hence, the name “balanced” because utilizes both positive and adverse training techniques.

So, which is better? My training philosophy has evolved. When I first started caring for dogs, I believed that Pure Positive training sounded the kindest and hopefully was the most effective training. I wouldn’t say I liked the idea of crates, prong collars, muzzles, and e-collars. They all seemed awful to me. I didn’t have a dog that needed any of these tools, and I had never used them. Some of my clients used these tools with excellent results, though. They weren’t my personal dogs — but seeing these dogs opened my eyes to the fact that for many of these dogs, these tools helped them in ways that pure positive training had not. And, surprisingly, the dogs were happy and well-behaved.

For some dogs, purely positive training works well. But, for other dogs, I have seen, through experience, it doesn’t always work -especially dogs that are aggressive or reactive. I have cared for many aggressive, reactive dogs — some with a bite history. These dogs need to be muzzled to be in public spaces safely. Their owners have hired trainers, they’ve seen the vet for medication, and these dogs are still not 100% safe to walk in public without a muzzle. They are wonderful loving dogs inside their homes with the people they know and trust. I have also seen prong collars work where positive training did not. I have walked dogs that will pull on a leash despite trying every tactic to teach them not to pull. Yet, they still pulled so strongly that their owners could not walk them until they switched to a prong collar on the advice of a trainer. They walk well on a leash, and the owners can walk them without suffering from a shoulder or back injury caused by sudden lunging or jerking. These tools do not harm the dogs when used properly. It did require that the owners learn how to use the tools correctly. But these tools allowed these dogs to go out into the world and get regular walks without these tools. It would not be safe.

Pure positive training is a place to start, and I do not advocate for harsh or abusive training. For many dogs, pure positive methods will be a wonderful, successful route for the dog. When it works, it is great. If it doesn’t work, though, if you have an aggressive or reactive dog that you can’t live with, rather than surrendering the dog or, worse, euthanizing the dog, move to balanced training. I have seen this work for many dogs. I have also seen pure positive trainers deem dogs not adoptable or untrainable because the pure positive training didn’t work. Many of these dogs are euthanized because they are not safe around strangers or other dogs. They are labeled as bad dogs.

Far too many dogs are surrendered. The reasons that people surrender their animals to shelters make me sad and sometimes angry. They are too many to list. But, I do know that a trained dog is easier to keep and more enjoyable to be around. A dog with nice social skills is adopted more quickly too. A dog that doesn’t pull your arm out of its socket when walking on a leash is generally walked more often. Training your dog with the system that works for your dog could save their life and will make your lives together more pleasant.

My philosophy on dog training is simple. Training is essential. If the training isn’t working, try a different trainer or a new method. Use the training method and the tools that work for your dog. Not all dogs are the same. And, many trainers are less experienced and less knowledgeable than they would lead you to believe.

It is important to understand how dogs communicate. Studying canine body language is important to identify when your dog is getting anxious or overwhelmed. It is also important to understand that every dog will learn at a different pace. Learning what motivates your dog will help with training too. Not all dogs are motivated by food and treats. Some prefer toys, praise, playtime, or affection more than food. Knowing your dog will make training more successful and easier. Ideally, everyone in the household trains in the same manner, and everyone is involved. Consistency is critical. Training isn’t something that you do for a month when you bring home a new dog. Training happens every day whether you intend to train or not. Dogs are learning every day. They learn most by the daily behavior and boundaries set within their household.

I don’t believe hitting a dog, withholding meals, or yelling at them is ever acceptable or productive. I think a dog has as much a right to be treated well and to be happy as we do. Good things should come from a dog’s owner. It would help if you built trust, and that cruelty of any kind will ruin your bond with your dog. Leading with fear and intimidation is not going to give you a happy, trusting dog. I have seen more dogs successfully trained and behavioral issues managed with a balanced training approach than a purely positive approach. That is my opinion- based on caring for hundreds of dogs.