What Are the Different Ways of Training?

In the dog world, you’ll hear all kinds of labels: Positive Only, Balanced, Force Free, Correction Based, and more. Underneath the arguments, there are four ways a dog can learn, genetically and behaviorally:

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1. Negative Reinforcement Only Training

This system relies almost entirely on pressure. The dog learns what turns discomfort off, but not what earns good things.

It can produce obedience, but often at the cost of confidence.

The dog learns how to stop mistakes, not how to enjoy doing the right thing.

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2. Negative Reinforcement Based Training

Pressure is used briefly to guide the dog into the correct choice, and positive reinforcement follows to build understanding and fulfillment.

The dog learns how to turn off pressure and how to earn rewards.

This is the foundation of leash guidance, calm state-of-mind training, and real-world reliability. This is where Elite K9 Service operates when teaching everyday obedience.

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3. Positive Reinforcement Based Training

Food, praise, and freedom are used to teach behavior first. Once the dog understands the behavior, corrections are added later to maintain reliability.

The dog learns what earns good outcomes and, later, what loses them.

Many structured service dog programs fall into this category.

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4. Positive Reinforcement Only Training

The trainer avoids all corrections. The dog learns that rewards exist, but never learns that some behaviors are unacceptable. This works for tricks — but rarely for real-world obedience, public behavior, or impulse control.

If a dog never learns what “No” means, they only listen when paid.

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So… Which Is Best?

No single style can address every situation.

But every style should incorporate "Positive Reinforcement Based Training"

You don’t correct to teach.

You don’t bribe forever.

You don’t rely on pressure without fulfillment.

A well-trained dog learns how to earn, understand, and respect.

That’s real communication — and real reliability.

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Key Takeaway

There are only three genetic categories of learning (Positive Reinforcement, Balanced Training, Negative Reinforcement), but people lean positive or negative, creating four common training styles.

At Elite K9 Service, we run with our Keep Training Positive™ approach

We communicate, we lead, and we build reliability for life.