The negative side of “positive reinforcement.”

Those who've been in the dog world long enough have likely been exposed to the extreme divisiveness between the "positive reinforcement" / "purely positive" camp on the training side of things... and everyone else outside of it.

It is our job and our responsibility as professionals to educate, equip, coach, help, and serve to the best of our ability….*for* the best of those we’re working with’s ability; and to do so honestly, ethically, respectfully, and authentically.

While I really don't like labels, as I don't draw a box around what I do or put any limitations upon options to dip into when addressing something as complex as "behavior", I've always called my approach "holistic" as I'm looking at (and speaking to) all contributing ingredients to behavior. I specialize in behavior. I'm not an "obedience" trainer, though obedience is an element, of course, of what we teach (N.B. "compliance" is connected to different things that need to be spoken to and developed beyond the dogs’ understanding of an obedience directive).

There are many ingredients that contribute to, impact, and influence *behavior*. When I'm working with a dog, I'm working on training and developing the "whole dog": the mental body, physical body, emotional body, and training and equipping the human at the other end of the dog's leash. I'm also allowing the individual dog to participate in the conversation and in their progress... telling me what works, what doesn't, what they need, what they don't, etc.

We need to stop the grave misconception that anything outside of "positive reinforcement" is abusive or "bad". This is utterly, utterly ridiculous, and is a message that continues to get perpetuated in many ways.

I've had friends who were also part of a large positive reinforcement network "secretly support" my work... but not willing to openly support it in fear of the heat they'd receive or what their network might think. I've never understood this... because - they know me. I know me. And I know the nature of this work. This beautiful work that's my purpose, my calling, is absolutely heart-based, and has made a beautiful difference and impact in the lives of others (on *both* ends of the leash).

I've attended many positive reinforcement workshops, and had people come up to me (on the down low) to ask questions about "the other side" of things. About the other approaches, tools as aids, etc.

I've had clients shamed for their dogs wearing a certain type of collar, although they'd already been through several "positive only" trainers with no progress….and their dog was *finally* starting to make great progress.

Many of my “outside the closed box” colleagues (... and just really good, ethical, top notch human beings) have received hate mail, have been judged and labeled by people who've *never* held a conversation with them, *never* observed them work, and have *never* shared space with them... all because of assumptions made from a picture of a (happy) dog with a certain collar around his or her neck. Myself included.

Recently, I was asked to speak about "aggression" on a podcast. This person and I had been social media "friends" for many years and had connected through our shared passion for rescue. She had seen a post I shared on aggression. She loved the content and was incredibly enthusiastic about learning more about it. So we scheduled a date for me to speak on her podcast. After weeks of being on my calendar, she reached out a few days prior to our scheduled talk to say she and her co-host both had something come up and wouldn't be able to conduct the podcast. I also saw she left my K9 Fempreneur group, then started making some rather passive aggressive remarks on posts I'd respond to re: behavior in a dog group she's an admin for. She also started deleting (excellent) recommendations from people in the group for trainers they had great experiences with... because they didn't align with her opinion and agenda. As a side note, she has a dog who struggles with aggression. I'm not sure what happened... perhaps she saw a picture and made an assumption?

This behavior is shameful, and is only hurting those in struggle and in need (as I experienced first-hand long ago, and as many of my clients have experienced prior to working with me: https://www.packfit.net/lobos-story/)

This "positive only" message and approach is perpetuated by (well intentioned but not behaviorally fluent or informed dog lovers) rescue groups and vets (who are *not* behaviorally or nutritionally fluent, only pharmaceutically and biochemically fluent.. much of what people are experiencing is not due to a biochemical imbalance). And, sadly, vets are who people look to for their dog's health care... not knowing that, like human doctors, vets are in the business of "sick care". "Health care" is the everyday choices we make for ourselves and those who depend upon us (daily activity, sound nutrition- huge difference between "eating" and actually *nourishing* the body, stress management, the types of relationships/people we choose to surround ourselves with, level of personal and professional fulfillment, etc.). Sadly, conventional veterinarian guidance on this is guiding folks towards eating highly processed, enzyme deficient, food-like products, over-vaccinating, dousing with harsh chemicals in the name of "flea and tick prevention"- which killed one of my personal dogs at age 6.5, recommending drugs for behavioral issues, etc.

Platforms are being misused. The information being shared is based on assumption, judgment, and prejudice, which is gravely misleading people, financially depleting them, and only increasing their stress, strain, and struggle. Indoctrinating the masses through spreading misconceptions, assumptions, and *fear* (which... if you ask me... isn't very "kind", "good", or "positive"). Using extreme words to describe everyone outside this camp (and their approach; although, again, these are people they've never met, held a conversation with, observed in their craft, interviewed clients, etc) like "pain", "force", and the like. And describing their work as "purely positive", "force-free", "pain-free", "fear-free", etc.

Does "purely positive" and "positive reinforcement" sound nice? Yes, which is why so many gravitate towards this when it comes to working with their dogs (myself included years ago; and it's my go-to when working on obedience related and performance-based stuff).

Is it effective? Yes, but it can have its limits with certain dogs when it comes to *behavior*. Allow me to explain …

Positive reinforcement is *amazing* for....

- obedience training (subscribing meaning to verbal cues and directives; e.g. "sit", "down", "off", "come", etc.; N.B. "compliance" to these directives is connected to other things that need to be spoken to and developed, which is why "selective" or "situational hearing" is a common frustration), and

- performance and task-based behaviors like : agility, nosework, trick training, professional scent detection, search and rescue, etc.

This falls under the umbrella of what I call "classroom behavior". All of which mainly speaks to the mental and physical bodies of the dog (will impact the emotional body of the dog, as well, in terms of giving the dog a job to do, a sense of purpose, and speaking to those breed-specific needs; they all overlap and are all connected, but the mental and physical bodies are the main ones being spoken to through this).

Also great for the softer, “marshmallow dogs” and "behavior management" (keeping in mind that "managing" behavior and **rehabilitating** behavior are two entirely different things).

But what most people/ dogs are struggling is not this shade of behavior, but the other shade that I call "real world and functional behavior". This shade of "behavior" speaks more to the emotional body of the dog and deals with things like: sharing space, self and world concept, anxiety (social, separation, and general), relationship discrepancies, association, trauma, "selective hearing", aggression, "reactivity", destructiveness, nuisance barking, etc. This is what we primarily deal with.

In this context, I define "behavior" as a/an ...

- manner of expression,

- form of communication,

- external manifestation of an internal condition, and

- reflection of what's lacking, what's in excess, and what's just right.

Behavior is information. It's a form of feedback.

What works for some dogs will not work for others. What some dogs need will differ from what others need. **We must know thy dog.**

Dogs will come to the table with different personalities and energies (and, when I talk about "energy", I'm not talking some woo-woo, hippie-dippie type of thing):

Mental body: strong vs. soft energy (and everything in between; strong willed, head strong, more assertive energy vs. softer, go-with-the-flow, easy-going, laid back energy)

Physical body: high, medium, & low energy

Different dogs will need and respond to different approaches, and may also come to the table with certain associations that've been developed, traumas, etc. Stronger energy dogs will end up with softer energy humans, and vice versa (and there's that gap that would need to be addressed). Dogs will end up with people who understand how to communicate clearly and effectively, and those who don't. With people who are outdoorsy and those who are indoorsy. Those who are "just too busy", and those who mindfully appropriate their time - ensuring the needs of both ends of the leash are being spoken to. And, of course, different personalities~ those who may struggle with anxiety, confidence, fear, etc. How we feel about ourselves and the world around us impacts how our dogs feel in their own skin, about us (how they perceive us), and how they feel in the world around them. If the softer, more marshmallow type of dog- maybe this won't impact them as much. If a stronger energy dog- perhaps this dog may feel compelled to step up and "protect". If a more sensitive dog, this dog may the weight of this on themselves (usually in anxiety cases in dogs, we'll see humans at the other end of the leash struggling with anxiety themselves). We'll impact different dogs in different ways. But what we bring to the table is all information, as well, and we're always in conversation with our dogs (especially when we're not speaking at all).

When it comes to behavioral conditioning, modification, and rehabilitation (emotional body of the dog), we've got a lot to speak to, much to consider, and we must remain flexible and open in our approach.

Behavior is so very complex (!!), and there are a great many ingredients that contribute to the origination of it.... as well as its sustainment (which can also include the misuse of positive reinforcement).

"Behavior management" = momentary and short term "fix"; involves "distraction", "drugging"/ "numbing", "avoidance", and constant engagement, stimulation, and "keeping busy" (which can, and often does, have an *adverse* effect, state of mind wise). Do y'all see any similarities here in terms of how we're raising our children... and how we deal with our own stress, struggle, and emotional issues??

"Behavioral conditioning / modification / rehabilitation" = long term "fix"; involves exploring and identifying *all* contributing ingredients (both ends of the leash, and beyond the leash), and includes the yin and yang of things.... both "yes's" and "no's", "agreeing" and "disagreeing", "comfort" and "discomfort" (which does NOT mean abuse!!! ...for the love of all things holy).

There's often reference to the "4 quadrants of operant conditioning", positive reinforcement being one of them. The funny thing is this... they. are. all. connected. One cannot exist *effectively* without its counterpart. The "negative" cannot exist without the "positive", and they both complement and support each other in teaching and developing understanding. This is the yin and yang of it things. Positive reinforcement is adding something "good" and pleasurable to increase and strengthen wanted behavior, while negative punishment is taking that good and pleasurable thing away to weaken and decrease a behavior. Positive punishment is adding a level of discomfort (e.g. squirt of water from a bottle, an annoying sound, pop on the leash, etc.) to decrease and weaken unwanted behavior, while negative reinforcement is taking that discomfort away to increase wanted behavior. Negative reinforcement cannot exist without positive punishment, and negative punishment cannot exist without positive reinforcement. They work in tandem to teach, equip, and develop understanding around (what we consider to be) "appropriate" vs. "inappropriate" choices and behavior.

Positive reinforcement deals more with reinforcing how the brain converts information to and translates through the body. *Rewarding a successful conversion and translation*. Giving a good feeling... and should always be used. There are also a variety of ways in which this can be done.

As an example, once "Sit" has meaning, the brain takes that directive in, translates it to the body, and the butt hits the ground. Success! Reward, great job.

But, in the *behavioral* realm, if the dog is "reactive" - doesn't feel "safe", is frustrated, insecure, and can't handle the pressure of another dog in their space.... this particular dog may be sitting... *but the mind is still going*. The fire is still stoked, and this dog can still be emotionally spun up, charged, and triggered. WHEN WE REINFORCE THE BODY FOR DOING SOMETHING, WE'RE ALSO REINFORCING THE MIND FOR WHAT IT'S DOING.... which is why this approach can and does backfire. We're not just rewarding and reinforcing what the body is doing, we're also rewarding and reinforcing what the *mind* is doing. We've got to be aware of this, as "state of mind" plays out in most problematic behaviors. We've got to train the brain, yes... but also learn how to condition the mind; and most are conditioning high levels of arousal and excitement (especially the not-so-good shades of excitement). Dogs who don't know how to deal with any level of pressure often spiral out and have a complete meltdown if and when they do encounter a level of pressure (spatial, psychological, physical - leash pressure, etc.... for the record, "pressure" does NOT mean "force"- it's soft, gentle, and is being offered as information, guidance, and direction).

How would we respond if our child was yelling at other people in Target? Weaving a tapestry of obscenities and giving them that "special finger"? How would we respond if he was bullying the other children on the playground? Or running up, and punching and kicking visitors and guests when they walk in our home? Would we ignore these choices and behavior? Distract him with a lollipop and ask him to go play a video game instead? Give him a kiss on his cheek and tell him, "Shhh... it's okay...." Do you think this is helping him understand the difference between "appropriate" and "inappropriate" behavior? Of course, as with dogs, there is always something deeper underlying this behavior (as a manner of expression) that needs to be fleshed out, understood, and spoken to. This is why psychology is needed in behavioral work on either end of the leash. An understanding of what's underlying the behavior. The actual behavior (what we see and what's being expressed externally) is just symptomatic and an offshoot of an internal condition (this could also be due to a health or medical issue causing pain and discomfort). To nutshell it, behavior is the external expression of an underlying, internal condition.

When did “disagreeing” become so taboo?!?

There's, very much, a yin and yang that must be present in behavioral work, one that's not present in limited, single quadrant approaches. Limited approaches will reap limited results in terms of behavior... and, what I've found, is that those who claim to be "purely positive" are not. Squirt bottles, shaking coins in a jar, sour apple spray, etc. are all forms of "positive punishment" (discomfort).

There's a difference between "negative consequence", "pressure", "punishment" (which I define as creating a level of discomfort that's meaningful enough to the individual to inspire them to change their course).... and *abuse* or “pain”. Huge difference.

It's high time we stop with the judgment, assumptions, slandering, and "industry-hate" ... as well as the perpetuating of it. This goes for both sides. Positive reinforcement plays so very well (and is connected to) all the other quadrants... and for good reason! It plays a big part in having BOTH a "well trained" AND a "well behaved" dog... but we need the *full spectrum* to achieve this. Most folks have one or the other.

And while there are some "trainers" who are heavy-handed and who simply should not be training.... the great majority of all who are working tirelessly on behalf of dogs (and the people who love them) are NOT this. We could do FAR more good, make FAR greater strides, and have a FAR better impact if we trained in our lanes, with integrity, and in our authenticity..... got curious instead of judgmental, asked questions instead of assumed, and understood we all have the same love for dogs, are working tirelessly to help, and all want the same results.

If I HAD to “label” myself, I’d say I’m an *open*, force-free (yup, because ZERO force is *ever* used, as with my colleagues; it’s a conversation and an exchange), holistic trainer who focuses on relationship building, clear communication, and personal empowerment (on both ends of the leash). I'm completely open to exploring whatever the human-canine dynamic in front of me needs, whether this includes a lil' life and *lifestyle* coaching (as this absolutely impacts our dogs as well as their perception of us), "tutors" and "aids to communication and state of mind management", whatever the situation calls for. All done with the deepest respect, and the greatest amount of warmth and love.

Dog training isn't just training a dog "what to do", but also *how to be*. It should be called "dog developing" and "equipping", as that's what it really is. Just like with human kids... we don't just send them to school to learn a bunch of things and our job is done. They learn in school (brain training), but they're also learning at home (and can also take on some stuff we haven't fleshed out/ healed ourselves quite yet), on the playground, and simply being out in and experiencing the world. Whole dog, whole situation, whole scenario.

What I've found, is that the more effective behavioral work involves cleaning up both sides of the street. Both ends of the leash. Because we are the ones our dogs are looking to for their cues, guidance, directives, and especially how to feel about every situation we bring them into. They're also looking to us to for their safety, level of security, and overall comfort. What do we represent in their eyes and in their mind? How are we showing up? What type of information are we sharing? This is why I always call this work "inadvertent life coaching", because it really is.

I'm in this business for *both* ends of the leash (as are the colleagues of mine I'm aware of and know). It's my purpose, it's my passion, it's my mission, and I work tirelessly so Lobo's and my story doesn't get repeated (and it's such a common one).

Do I think this is the holy grail of dog training? No... but- when effort, consistency, and follow through is there- I do like the results I've gotten, and so do my clients (and their dogs). And if people feel more equipped and empowered, relationship was strengthened, a deeper understanding was gained, a greater sense of freedom and quality of life was restored, and peace of mind replenished? I do believe that's all that matters.