07/17/2025
Letβs Talk About Balanced Training!
Lately, I've received a lot of questions - and misconceptions - about what Balanced Training really is. With so many approaches and opinions in the dog training world today, I feel that education is key! Balanced training is a well-rounded, science-based approach that is rooted in structure, clear communication, and fairness! It utilizes the scientific principles of operant conditioning, a learning theory developed in the 1930s by behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner. These principles are not opinions or trends on a spreadsheet; these are observational theories that are widely taught in high school classrooms and dog training programs.
Balanced Training uses all 4 quadrants of operant conditioning to shape behaviors. A quick breakdown of each quadrant:
Positive Reinforcement (R+): Adding a pleasant stimulus to increase a behavior
π Ex: Rewarding your dog with a treat or toy after completing a command, or you pet your dog after it nudges you
Negative Reinforcement (R-): Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase a behavior
π Ex: You release the pressure or tension on the leash when your dog stops pulling
Positive Punishment (P+): Adding an unpleasant stimulus to decrease the behavior
π Ex: Telling your dog "No!", using a sq**rt bottle, or using a leash pop when your dog jumps
Negative Punishment (P-): Removing a good stimulus to decrease the behavior
π Ex: Taking away food when your dog jumps, or stopping in your tracks when your dog pulls on the leash
Why use all four quadrants?
Balanced Training means being honest and fair, but being "dominant" or hard. By using both motivation and consequences, we can teach our dogs to make better choices. Just like with children, dogs follow through when they understand what's expected of them. This happens by effectively reminding our dogs of the boundaries of our household and what happens when those boundaries are crossed.
My goal is never to suppress behavior or the desires with commands or punishment. I would rather aim to give dogs the clarity to know the right time and place for certain behaviors. This is how I am able to customize my training approach to each dog's temperament, energy level, and behavioral history.
What about Aversive Tools?
One of the most common concerns about balanced training is the use of tools such as prong collars, e-collars, and slip leashes - often referred to as aversive tools. Its imperative to understand that these tools are not about causing fear or inflicting pain, but about improving communication and clarity. It is important to understand the process and education of these tools to effectively use them on your dog. These tools should NEVER be used WITHOUT working with a qualified dog trainer!
When these tools are used correctly, they serve as communication devices that continue to provide clarity through healthy boundaries and leadership, ensuring your dog knows the expectations and follows them. When using tools during training, I focus on:
πΉ Thoroughly educating the owner on the safe and humane usage
πΉ Introducing the tools gradually and thoughtfully
πΉ Conditioning the dog to understand what the tool means
πΉ Pairing the tools with positive reinforcement
πΉ Using the least amount of pressure necessary
Not every dog needs a training tool, and many will not require one long-term! My goal is always to transition dogs back to a flat buckle or martingale collar once a solid foundation has been established. Some dogs only need help from tools temporarily, such as Reactivity training or off-leash recall, while other dogs may need longer support.
When tools are introduced ethically and paired with clear communication, they help eliminate confusion and increase learning! This ultimately takes away the βgrey areas,β making wrong choices and right choices crystal clear.
But remember: tools donβt train dogs β people do. Without proper education and handler knowledge, even a dog wearing a prong collar can still pull, simply because no one taught them what the tool means! This is why owner involvement and understanding are just as important as the equipment we use!
Two links in the comment section for studies done of balanced training methods!
