Wag 'N Train LLC

10/13/2025

WHAT ARE BALANCED TRAINERS? WHAT ARE POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINERS?

I just ran across a YouTube video made by a "balanced" trainer who did not know the definition of the terms he was using - which is the inspiration for this post.

You need to know these terms so you know what to look for and what to ask when speaking to any dog trainer you are considering hiring.

The term, "balanced" is misleading. While we generally associate the term with something positive, that is not the case with dog training.

The 4 Quadrants of Operant Conditioning

Some of you will recall previous posts of mine about the "4 quadrants" of operant conditioning:

1. Positive reinforcement
2. Negative reinforcement
3. Positive punishment
4. Negative punishment

"Operant" means one or more of these 4 options are used to train a dog (or another animal or human) to do something. The dog's behavior is shaped through one or more of the above options - consequences applied by the trainer.

"Conditioning" means learning through association or consequence.

"Operant conditioning" uses reinforcement or punishment to increase or decrease behaviors.

"Positive" means something is added, e.g., food, praise - but it could also be something aversive, like shock.

"Negative" means something is taken away, e.g., attention - or shock or something else aversive.

"Reinforcement" means whatever was added or taken away serves to increase the likelihood a behavior will be repeated.

"Punishment" means whatever was added or taken away causes the behavior to stop (Note: it is not an intention, it is an effect, so if something aversive is added or taken away that does not stop behavior, it is just aversive and at worst, abusive.)

Positive reinforcement, aka force-free trainers use:

1. Positive reinforcement

2. Negative punishment, e.g., dog jumps up on them and attention (which is what motivates dogs to jump) is removed, thus removing (negative) the reinforcement (of attention). What is not reinforced (consistently) will stop occurring.

"Balanced" trainers use all 4 options ("quadrants," as depicted in the chart below).

In addition to positive reinforcement (e.g., praise, treats, play) and negative punishment (removing something the dog wants/likes), they use positive punishment (adding a punisher, e.g., shock or a leash "correction") and negative reinforcement (taking the punisher away), once they get the behavior they want. The dog, of course, is motivated to comply to avoid pain.

This is why they refer to themselves as "balanced" trainers. Do not be deceived.

Note: using positive reinforcement does NOT make someone a positive reinforcement trainer. Most, if not all trainers use some form of positive reinforcement. Many use it in addition to physical and verbal punishment, aka "correction."

Also, you will hear balanced trainers criticize force-free positive reinforcement trainers as being "positive only." There is no such thing.

Positive is not permissive. It just isn't painful or fear-provoking. I tell new clients the type of training I do is evidence-based best practices, and that I do not do anything that hurts or frightens the dog.

© 2025 Cindy Ludwig, MA, BS, RN, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA
Owner, Canine Connection LLC
Willard, MIssouri

07/03/2025

Your dog does not need to love every dog.
They don't even have to like them.
Or interact at all.....or maybe they will?
There is no right way to be social...it is as wide and varied for dogs as it is for us.
Quieter dog.
More outgoing.
Very selective.
Not really into other dogs?....or best mates with just a few?
Maybe they are truly happier without another dog around.
Perhaps they really do love every dog they see.

One thing is for sure.....when we judge someone because their dog "isn't the same" as theirs, that's damaging.

Lets start to normalise the wide range of sociability in dogs.

We have that in common.

12/12/2024

I did it! This is a fantastic program and pushed everything I know about dogs and their physiology. I am proud of the progress my case study dogs made and they confirmed the quality of this program. I am excited about getting marketing started, and will be reaching out to training facilities early in the new year. https://cpcft.com

11/17/2024

TRIGGER STACKING – WHEN BEHAVIOUR HAPPENS “OUT OF THE BLUE”

We’ve all had those days when nothing seems to go right and one frustrating thing after another happens to us, leaving us feeling wound up, stressed and ready to explode at the next unsuspecting person who dares to ask us something.

This “unsuspecting” person may think we have a serious behaviour problem or need anger management therapy, when the truth is that we’ve just had a really bad day or even a few bad days and don’t usually behave like this at all.

Dogs are no different and a behaviour that seems completely out of character or happens “out of the blue” is often caused by “trigger stacking”.

A trigger may be anything that increases a dog’s stress levels and has a negative impact on their emotional, mental or physical state.

These may be small things that we may not even notice or seem insignificant to us, but they are all adding to an increasing “stack” of events that may culminate in out of character behaviour.

When stress levels reach a certain point, the next stressful event, however small, may cause an explosive reaction that is completely unexpected.

Instead of just focusing on a particular behaviour and seeing it as a problem that needs to be prevented, take a step backwards, look at the bigger picture, look at events, circumstances or environmental factors that may have played a role leading up to that behaviour.

Being aware of potential stressors and allowing your dog time to decompress, relax and unwind for a few days will often mean the difference between “normal behaviour” and a behaviour that seems completely out of character.

03/30/2024

02/12/2024

Something to think about when planning your spring gardens.

01/04/2024

EVER WANTED TO PARTICIPATE IN A 1 ON 1 CANINE FITNESS PROGRAM?
I have been on this journey since last May, and we are finally at the end of our classes. This first Cohort is now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and are busy preparing for our required Case Studies.

I am so excited about this opportunity! The course work has been a good challenge and we have learned so much.
I have one great handler and dog team, speaking with a 2nd and now am looking for a 3rd. If you have ever been interested in Canine Fitness, here is your chance to work with a CPCFT Candidate! I am looking for someone with a puppy who is sound, either working or pet that is willing to put in work over 6 weeks to reach a goal for you and your pup! This is a program worth $500! I am opening requests over the next week. If you are interested, comment below with your name, your pup's name, breed and age. You must be in the Dallas/Fort Worth "area". I will be messaging you back with some questions about what you are looking for, and your willingness to commit to the program. Thank you in advance!

12/18/2023

"𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘰𝘨𝘴"

A direct quote from another trainer's comments on one of my posts. Which exemplifies why it is 𝘴𝘰 important that you do your research before you hire someone to work with your & your dog. Because, in an unregulated industry like dog training, ethics and methodologies vary widely.

So look into a trainer's methods. Do your homework. Understand what they will, and will not, do to your dog. Make sure you understand & are comfortable with their approach. Make sure you are happy that it's a good fit for your dog. Ask questions if you're not sure.

Do your due diligence; because your dog can't.