Positive Reinforcement Training

How positive reinforcement ONLY training is failing the people and dogs who need help the most.

What Is Positive Reinforcement Training?

Positive reinforcement training or R+ training is part of the 4 quadrants of operant conditioning learning theory. It is applied by teaching behaviours using a positive reward. Most often this reward is food, but other positive rewards can also be used including but not limited to toys, positive affection, attention, play etc.

 

The Problem with Positive Reinforcement ONLY Training

While positive reinforcement training should often the first choice, there are situations where it can inadvertently reinforce unwanted behaviors if applied incorrectly. This can hinder the creation of a truly fear-free and harmonious environment.

Example 1: Barking at Squirrels

A dog barks out the window at a squirrel. The owner says “quiet” and rewards the dog with a treat once it stops barking. While this is a classic example of positive reinforcement training, it may not reduce the barking long-term. The dog might associate the pattern as, “If I bark, I eventually get a treat.” This undermines the goal of reducing the unwanted behavior.

Example 2: Leash Reactivity

A reactive dog on a walk may be distracted with treats until another dog passes by. Although this uses positive reinforcement training, it might not change the dog’s underlying emotional response. The distraction doesn’t help the dog learn how to stay calm around other dogs, which is necessary for creating a truly fear-free mindset.

The Key to Effective Dog Training: Relationship Based, Humane Methods

Most dog behavior issues arise due to unclear communication or inconsistency in how they’re handled. While positive reinforcement training is a core part of any training plan, it must be paired with humane training methods that set clear boundaries for the dog in a way that doesn’t cause fear or confusion.

Dog Training Toronto | Hairy Tales | Award Winning Dog Behaviorist

Some people believe that positive reinforcement training is the only humane way to train dogs. However, it’s important to incorporate relationship based training which includes clear communication and humane corrections when needed to guide a dog’s behavior more effectively. Studies show that when dogs aren’t clear on what behaviors are unacceptable, they can become anxious, confused, or even neurotic. A fear-free approach should involve not only teaching the dog what’s desired, but also communicating what is not acceptable.

Kristina Rapson
The Hairy Dogmother

Creating a Fear-Free and Humane Training Plan

For dog training to be truly effective and fear-free, consequences must be part of the learning process—though they should always be humane and never harsh. A simple example: if your dog jumps up on you for attention, withholding the attention and using the leash to guide them off you teaches that jumping won’t get them what they want. This type of consequence is gentle, fear-free, and effective when used alongside positive reinforcement training.

The most effective trainers are versatile, using a mix of positive reinforcement and humane training methods to suit each dog’s specific needs. No single method works for all dogs, especially in cases involving aggression or severe reactivity. If you’re searching for a trainer, find someone who can balance positive reinforcement training with approaches that address behavioral issues without causing fear or confusion.

The Science Behind Leadership In Dogs

Learn more about the science behind the importance of leadership with dogs.

What are Hairy Tales Fundamental Training Principles?

01

Improving Communication & Relationship

Through teaching you how dogs communicate, Kristina will be helping you how to clarify your interactions with your dog so you are sending them the right messages.

02

Learning Techniques

You must learn from Kristina how to communicate what is and is not acceptable. Then you must apply this and teach your dog the rules and boundaries clearly and consistently. 

03

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Once you have the knowledge, skills and tools from Kristina to improve your dogs behaviour, you are to practice every single day. Practice makes perfect!

How to Choose the Right Trainer

Be cautious of trainers who over-promise or suggest extreme measures like euthanasia without exploring alternatives. The best trainers will openly discuss the limitations of positive reinforcement training in certain scenarios and offer a balanced approach. Look for trainers who understand the value of combining fear-free techniques with clear communication to help your dog succeed.
When selecting a trainer, ensure they have experience not just with positive reinforcement training, but also with managing more complex behaviors in a fear-free and humane manner. The right trainer will guide you in creating a balanced environment where your dog can learn and thrive without fear or confusion.

This is where I come in, to help you understand what you might be doing to send your dog messages stating that the dog is in charge. I help you communicate with your dog clearly and effectively to help them understand that they are not the leaders of the household, you are. 

Dog Training Toronto | Hairy Tales | Award Winning Dog Behaviorist
Kristina Rapson The Hairy Dogmother
  • Remember that no behaviour issue can be completely resolved in just one session. It takes time and practice to get over these types of issues. 
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  • If you have an ANXIOUS dog with NO FOOD DRIVE, please try Kristina's method!!!!! I wish I could give Kristina more stars, and let her training service be known by every rescue organization in the city. We went to our first training session 12 days agao, and we are amazed at how much our rescue dog, Yara, has improved. Here's Yara's story: We adopted Yara about a year ago. She is the sweetest girl at home! However, she is extremely anxious. She is also NOT food-motivated AT ALL! We have found no dog treats or human food that can grab her attention when we're outside, even when she is not in the barking mode. We believe this is why all the previous positive-reinforcement-based training attempts FAILED, even with anti-anxiety suppplements/ CBD oil/ pheromone collar. We cannot communicate with her what we want her to do, since she can't be bothered with the treats or the high-pitch baby talk. When we contacted Kristina, we explicitly requested to train with no food reward at all. After using the method Kristina taught us for just the 12 short days, Yara has stopped barking at random dogs on walk completely. She has also stopped pulling on her leash. She now exhibits much less guarding behaviour in the dog park towards dogs outside. She plays with us more at home, and she is less anxious in general. The most important part is we think she starts to trust and understand our instructions more! She's still have some issues to work through, e.g. she still barks if the elevator door opens, and another big dog magically appears right in front of her. We are confident that we can work with Kristina to help her overcome all her issues! We were on the verge of giving up before we contacted Kristina, but we're so glad that we did not! If positive-reinforcement-only methods are not working for your dog, please try Kristina's method. Thank you, Kristina! We look forward to our next session.

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  • Kristina is so knowledgeable and I really enjoy and respect her approach to training. My puppy has been responding so well and I can only imagine the kind of puppy I would have if I didn’t go to Kristina. She responds to texts in case you have follow up questions, which is super helpful. I would highly recommend.

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  • I’ve been to many trainers in the city and saw little to no progress with my dog. I finally found Kristina and saw immediate results! She was able to assess what my expectations were, what my dog needed, and set me up with the right tools and techniques for my dog to succeed. Previously I had seen “positive only” trainers and I can attest that with a balanced approach both me AND my dog are 1000X happier. My dog now has the structure he was craving and is so much more content with his life. And I’m not getting dragged down the street. With Kristina’s help, I can also now trust my dog off-leash pretty much anywhere which has been a game changer and increased the quality of both our lives. Don’t throw your money away like I did, just see Kristina first!

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  • Kristina trained my brother’s rambunctious lab mix who is extremely well behaved. So she came highly recommended. We first went to her a month after bringing home our second dog. The day after our first session, we had a completely different dog. Today, the day after our second session, we were stopped at the park by someone complimenting us on how well our dogs were behaved and wanting a referral. 100% would recommend to anyone looking for a well balanced dog.

    Kelsey Killam Avatar Kelsey Killam

  • I highly recommend Kristina. After just two sessions to work on leash reactivity, there’s been a significant improvement. I now have the correct tools and techniques to work on our relationship. Thanks to Kristina, I feel confident in my ability to understand my dogs needs so we can live our best lives together!

    Trisha Hough Avatar Trisha Hough

  • Had 2 sessions with Kristina for my reactive dog. So far so good! Seeing lots of improvements. Kristina is very knowledgeable and professional. Would recommend

    Steven Lu Avatar Steven Lu

  • Kristina is like a medium for dogs. As a first time dog owner, I've spent hours reading, scouring the internet, and working with other trainers to try to teach my lil dude, Schnitzel. Alas, his guarding, reactivity, barking, and at times — aggression, has persisted, causing major stress and concerns for his happiness and safety. Cue Kristina — my goodness! Kristina has given me so much insight into lil guy's psyche, and the tools I need to communicate with him. Even after our first session I saw progress. A lot of trainers will apply one philosophy to all dogs — whereas Kristina takes everything you've told her about your dog, and combines it with her extensive knowledge of different breed's psyches/needs to come up with a plan that will work for them — lemme tell ya, it HAS! She just gets them, and makes the training process so much more comprehensive for owners. Thank you so much Kristina!

    Miya Strauss Avatar Miya Strauss

  • I had a great experience working with Kristina to train my puppy Alfie - she was thorough, king, patient and incredibly encouraging! She was flexible with the spring weather and sent extensive follow up emails to help with my training at home. She could even check in on how things were going in between our sessions, and always answered my random questions as well. Couldn't recommend her more! Such a great help to me.

    Julia Bennett Avatar Julia Bennett

  • After only 2 sessions with Kristina, the owner of Hairy Tales, my 3 year old 'COVID' dog is well on his way from being a hyper, anxious, reactive leash-tugger to a loose-leash, non-reactive, well mannered dog. Let's be honest - most training is 'training the owner' on how to take control and manage their dog but the benefits I see in my own dog is amazing. I could not have come this far without Kristina's guidance. My dog is now calmer, less reactive to squirrels & other dogs and is well on his way to learning how to behave when visitors come into our home. It's about consistency, having the right tools and having a great teacher. Kristina takes the time to understand you and your dog; explains and teaches how to modify their behaviour (and your own) so that your dog can be a dog and not a pest. Every day, the improvements are amazing and I couldn't be more impressed. My only regret is I didn't know about Kristina earlier. Thank you Kristina for changing my life with Finnegan - AND Finnegan thanks you too!

    Catherine Smith Avatar Catherine Smith

  • Kristina is a kind and compassionate trainer with a soft spot for international rescue. What is most impressive to me is her drive to continue to stay on top of her education. She has invested a lot of time and money into constantly learning more to help her students achieve the best possible outcomes with their dogs.

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