Positive reinforcement & timing

Positive reinforcement means adding something your dog loves straight after a behaviour, so that behaviour happens more. Rewards can be food, toys, play, praise, sniffing or the chance to greet a friend. Your dog decides what counts as a reward, not you – a dry biscuit may not compete with a squirrel. Rewards build a dog who wants to work with you, and research links reward-based training with fewer behaviour problems than harsh methods.

Dogs connect a reward with whatever they were doing in the second or two before it arrived. That’s tricky when you’re fumbling for a treat, so trainers use a marker – a clicker or a short word like “yes!” – at the exact moment of the right behaviour, then deliver the reward. Charge the marker first by pairing it with treats several times. Think of it as a camera shutter: it captures the precise moment you liked.

Keep sessions short – two to five minutes is plenty – and stop while your dog is still keen. Start somewhere quiet, then gradually add distance, duration and distraction one at a time. Aim for around eight successes out of ten; if your dog struggles, make it easier. A predictable daily routine for meals, walks, toilet breaks and rest also helps your dog feel secure and ready to learn.

Shouting, leash jerks, spray bottles, shock or prong collars might stop a behaviour in the moment, but they don’t teach what to do instead. They can create fear, damage trust and make behaviour worse, especially aggression. When something goes wrong, calmly interrupt, redirect to a behaviour you like, reward that, and manage the environment so the mistake is harder to repeat.