R+ Dog Training
updated: October 23, 2025
If you're a pet guardian, you consider your beloved pet as a member of your family. And like any other member of the family, your pet needs to abide by the rules of the household. When it comes to training your pet, it's important to find a positive reinforcement dog trainer. When you partner with a trainer that utilizes positive reinforcement or a force free approach, you will enjoy a lifetime relationship with your pet based on trust and respect.
What is R+ Dog Training? A Guide to Positive Reinforcement
R+ / Positive Reinforcement
Defined: Adding something desirable to increase or strengthen behavior.
Real Life Example: You want to teach a puppy to sit using positive reinforcement you lure the puppy into position and reward them with a treat.
Force Free Training
Defined: A voluntarily approach to behavior also avoiding the use of pain, fear or intimidation
How It Works: You want to teach a puppy to sit using force free approach we will wait for the puppy to sit and reward them when they do.
Training with positive reinforcement and a force-free approach are both excellent methods to teach your pet. Positive reinforcement is great option if you have an eager pup who loves treats. However, a more sensitive pet learns better with the force free method. Ethical training means recognizing which method works for the pet in front of you so they can thrive at their own pace!
The Problem with Punishment: Why Aversive Tools Don’t Work
R+ dog training does not use the threat of force or aversive tools like an prong collar or ecollar.
Temporary Fix: Punishment only temporarily stops an undesirable behavior; it fails to teach the dog what you want them to do instead.
Stress and Anxiety: Aversive tools cause stress, which inhibits a dog's ability to learn (zero learning occurs under high stress).
Aggression Risk: Punishment can lead to learned helplessness or redirected aggression toward the handler or others.
Erodes Trust: Using force damages the relationship with your dog, making them fearful instead of collaborative.
Punishment tools like prong collars and e-collars are popular because they offer a quick, temporary stop to problem behaviors. However, this immediate compliance is misleading and fails to address the underlying issue, leading to serious long-term consequences:
Why R+ and Force-Free is a Modern Dog Training Standard
The field of canine behavior has helped us pet guardians come a long way in understanding how our furry friends learn best. Employing a positive reinforcement approach makes learning enjoyable, fun, something we look forward to- which is no different than the learning process we humans experience as well.
Benefits of the Ethical Approach
Builds a Stronger Bond: R+ training creates a relationship based on trust and respect, making your dog an enthusiastic partner, not a reluctant student.
Faster and More Reliable Results: Dogs learn faster when they are happy and motivated by rewards.
Addresses Emotional Well-being: Force-Free principles prioritize monitoring and easing a dog's fear, stress, and anxiety.
Setting Boundaries: How to Say 'No' Using Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement training is a powerful and compassionate way to train, however that doesn't mean there are no consequences for undesirable behavior. For example,
If the dog won’t drop their tug toy when you ask them too - game over!
Your adolescent pup doesn't stay when asked? Well, they miss out on their tasty treat.
When your puppy refuses to sit before going outside. Keep the door shut until they politely “sit”.
As illustrated in these examples, saying "no" does not have to include force or the addition of punishment tools; instead utilizing rewards as motivation is successful when setting expectations for our four-legged friends.
How to Find the Right R+ Dog Trainer for Your Pet
Find a Certified Trainer: Important Questions to Ask
Find someone who truly knows how dogs think and learn, visit one of these sites
Once you've found a potential candidate make sure to ask them relevant questions about their experience and methods - that way there'll be no surprises.
Work with Mind Body Paws: Your R+ Training Expert
Work with me! Mind Body Paws supports people and pets in-person throughout Bergen County. For those outside of Bergen check out online dog training. I’d love to help!
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