03/06/2026
"I often hear people say, 'I only want a force-free trainer' or 'I only use positive reinforcement.'
This is an interesting topic because the reality is often more nuanced than the labels suggest.
Every dog owner places some level of restriction on their dog. If your dog wants to chase a squirrel and you hold the lead and walk the other way, you've prevented them from doing something they wanted to do. That's part of responsible dog ownership but by definition that is force.
Where I think the debate becomes difficult is around the idea that dogs should never be told 'no' or given any form of correction. Boundaries are a normal part of learning for both humans and animals. I deal with many reactive dogs. The owners have done everything right, they read the books, attended puppy classes, have had great obedience training but all of a sudden their dog is barking and lunging at every passing dog, many of these dogs have never been told 'No' they have never been corrected.
For example, if a young child is about to touch a hot stove, most parents wouldn't simply ignore it and wait for the right behaviour to happen naturally. They would intervene immediately to keep the child safe.
In the same way, dogs need guidance, boundaries, and clear communication. Positive reinforcement is an incredibly valuable training tool and should form a major part of training, but rewarding good choices and setting limits don't have to be mutually exclusive.
Good balanced training isn't about being harsh or punitive. It's about teaching dogs what is expected of them, rewarding desirable behaviour, and providing fair, appropriate boundaries when necessary.
At the end of the day, the goal is the same for all of us: a happy, confident, well-behaved dog that can safely navigate the world."
