Reward-Based Training: What It Is & Why It Works

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Reward-based training involves giving your dog something they like in exchange for desired behavior. Whether it’s a tasty treat, verbal praise, or a quick belly rub, the right reward motivates your dog in a positive way. But it also includes removing something your dog wants (e.g., your attention) in order to decrease an unwanted behavior (e.g., demand barking).

In this guide, we’ll cover what reward-based training is and why it works better than aversive training methods. We’ll also discuss the different types of rewards and how to use them to shape your dog’s behavior, plus quick tips on how to find a reward-based dog trainer for help.

What Is Reward-Based Training?

To put it simply, reward-based training is a method of dog training that uses something your dog likes or wants to influence behavior. Positive-reinforcement training is a type of reward-based training, but the terms aren’t interchangeable. That’s because negative punishment is also a form of reward-based training.

(Record scratch.) Wait. What? We’ll explain!

Terms like positive and negative in dog training don’t mean “good” or “bad” and are best contextualized by psychologist B.F. Skinner’s behavioral learning theory. While studying how different stimuli motivated pigeons and rats, he coined the term “operant conditioning” to describe how consequences influence future behavior.

At the heart of Skinner’s research lies a simple concept: you can affect the likelihood a behavior will be repeated by either adding or removing something desirable or unpleasant. Under this system, positive (+) just means adding something in, while negative (-) means taking something away.

The four quadrants of dog training

From Skinner’s operant conditioning research, the four-quadrant model of dog training emerged. This model is essentially four ways to change a dog’s behavior. Two of them involve rewards (things your dog likes) and two involve using aversive tactics (things they find unpleasant).

The two reward-based methods are positive reinforcement and negative punishment.

Positive reinforcement (R+) works by giving your dog a reward to increase their likelihood of repeating a desired behavior. For example, giving your dog a high-value treat each time they sit on cue.

Negative punishment (P-) involves removing the reward for behaviors you want to see less of. For example, ignoring your dog instead of giving them attention when they jump on you.

The opposite of reward-based training involves using aversive methods, either as negative reinforcement or positive punishment.

Negative reinforcement (R-) works by removing something your dog finds undesirable when they perform the behavior you want. For example, releasing the pressure of a prong collar once your dog stops pulling on the leash.

Positive punishment (P+) involves adding something your dog finds aversive to decrease the likelihood of repeated behavior. For example, bopping your dog on the nose or jerking the leash when they bark.

Choosing a reward-based trainer

All four of these methods can influence your dog’s behavior, but using aversive techniques has the most potential for harm. This type of training can damage the bond you have with your dog and cause even more behavioral issues.

When searching for a dog trainer near you, it’s best to find someone who uses reward-based training methods, which are humane and backed by research in their effectiveness. At Rover, we make it easy to find these pet professionals: all trainers on the platform use reward-based training methods.

Why Does It Work?

Reward-based training works because learning follows consequences, says Ali Smith, a professional dog trainer and founder of Rebarkable. “If a behavior consistently pays well,” she says, “dogs repeat it.” The opposite also tends to be true—if the behavior isn’t rewarded, it’s less likely to recur.

For instance, if your dog’s favorite thing in the world is their tug toy, then engaging in a game of tug as a reward for coming when called can lead to a rock-solid recall. Your dog will soon learn that running back to you leads to good things.

It’s supported by decades of scientific evidence.

In one study, researchers compared the efficacy of dog training with and without remote shock collars to positive reinforcement-only methods. Not only did the dogs trained with positive reinforcement respond to cues more quickly, but training with shock collars did not appear to reduce instances of non-compliance.

Research also links aversive dog training with negative mental and physical health impacts. One study found that using shock collars did not positively influence dog training outcomes but did increase behavioral signs of stress. Another study found that dogs trained with coercive methods were more likely to have a negative mood state than those trained with reward-based training methods.

Smith also affirms that reward-based training is the best approach with the lowest risk of behavioral fallout. “When we start introducing pain, fear, or intimidation, we also increase the risk of unwanted side effects like anxiety, avoidance, aggression, learned helplessness, or damage to the human-animal relationship,” she says.

Types of Rewards

The key to effective reward-based training is, of course, finding the right reward. Training treats are a mainstay, but they’re not the only option. Some dogs may even be more highly motivated by praise, touch, or play.

Here are some examples of rewards dogs typically like:

• Treats. Offer bite-sized training treats or small pieces of dog-safe human foods (like chicken, cheese, or hot dogs).
• Toys. Keep special toys hidden away outside of training sessions to use as a high-value reward.
• Play. Use a favorite game or activity, such as tossing a ball for your dog to fetch or engaging them in a quick game of tug.
• Praise. Some dogs love words of affirmation—use excited verbal praise as the reward.
• Touch. Offer enthusiastic affection, such as a scratch behind the ears or a quick belly rub (whatever your dog enjoys most).
• Instinctual behaviors. Give your pup a moment to engage in behaviors they enjoy, like chasing, retrieving, digging, or sniffing.

Choosing the right reward comes down to two things. First, what does your individual dog find most valuable? For food-motivated dogs, it’s probably treats or even pieces of their regular kibble. A high-energy working dog might prefer a quick round of fetch, while a people-oriented companion dog may find a word of praise or a pat on the head sufficiently motivating.

Second, it’s crucial to match the value of the reward to the difficulty of the task. The harder or more complex the behavior, says Smith, the more valuable the reward should be. It’s also wise to switch to intermittent or random rewards once your pup learns the behavior to keep them actively engaged.

How To Implement Reward-Based Training

Implementing reward-based training may look different depending on the behavior you’re trying to build.

Positive reinforcement (reinforcing the behavior you want to see again) is ideal for things like crate training or teaching your dog foundational cues. Negative punishment (removing the reward for behavior you don’t want) might work better for curbing undesired behaviors like demand barking or jumping on guests.

No matter which strategy you’re using, it’s important to choose the right reward and to time the delivery correctly. Using a marker either via a clicker or verbal cue (a firm “yes!”) helps dogs make the connection between the behavior and the reward. Marker cues are particularly important when using non-food rewards, since they can be more challenging to deliver immediately.

The importance of management

Using management to prevent your dog from rehearsing unwanted behaviors while you build new preferred ones is key to effective reward-based training.

For example, if you’re trying to keep your dog from jumping on guests when they arrive, you might use pet gates to keep your dog away from the front door entirely.

Preventing undesired behavior where possible will help streamline the training process.

Drawbacks

Though reward-based training is widely regarded as the most effective training method for dogs, it’s not without drawbacks. Here are a few of its potential downsides:

• It sometimes takes longer, especially for complex or learned behaviors.
• There’s often a knowledge gap for new dog parents.
• It requires a lot of focused attention and consistency on the part of the trainer.
• You may need to adjust your dog’s caloric intake to account for treats.
• There are added costs associated with training treats and other special rewards.
• Some dogs need more focused training than others (e.g., dogs with high prey-drive triggers).
• Poor timing or technique may result in accidentally reinforcing the wrong behavior.

Despite these potential drawbacks, experts insist that reward-based training has less fallout than more aversive methods. Smith adds that you’ll also build a stronger, more positive relationship with your dog by avoiding pain and fear, and instead cultivating trust.

How To Tell a Trainer Is Really Reward-Based

A professional dog trainer can develop a tailored training plan to suit your pup’s needs and provide you with the tools you both need to succeed. Before hiring a trainer, however, it’s important to assess their methods. Simply using treats doesn’t necessarily mean a trainer is truly reward-based.

Here are some signs to look for:

• They have credentials from an organization that advocates for reward-based training.
• The trainer takes the time to learn what motivates your dog as an individual (instead of relying solely on treats as the default).
• They don’t use any aversive methods such as shouting, prong collars, or spray bottles.
• The trainer asks questions to better understand your dog’s behavior and develop a customized training plan.
• They focus on proactive teaching and redirection rather than harsh correction and recommend complementary management strategies.

Whether you’re struggling to get started or having difficulty with a specific behavior, there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. Find a professional dog trainer near you to get the support you and your dog need.