06/13/2026
Life is all about balance, and so is dog training. Balanced dog training is a very simple concept: reward the behaviors you like and disagree with the behaviors you do not like. Most people understand this concept and why it makes sense. What most people do not understand is HOW to reward or HOW to disagree. Here is the secret: there is no “right way” to train a dog because every dog has their own unique personality and energy level. In order to know when/how to reward or when/how to disagree, you need to get to know YOUR dogs.
Some dogs may see food as a reward, while other dogs couldn’t care less about food. Some dogs may see cuddles as a reward, but others would prefer to relax in the same room as their humans while enjoying some personal space. Some dogs may see playtime as a reward, while others prefer peace and quiet. For a dog like Snoopy, who is scared and nervous, pets and scratchies are NOT rewards, but spending time alone in his kennel IS a reward. For a dog like Sophie, who is super confident and high-energy, any type of attention is a reward, but spending time alone in her kennel is not.
How well do you know your dogs? We suggest making two lists. The first list is all of the things that your dog would consider a reward. The second list is all of the things that your dog would consider a punishment. Once you have your lists, you can create mindfulness around what you are rewarding on a daily basis and what you are disagreeing with throughout your days. You will be surprised at how many unwanted behaviors you have been accidentally rewarding over the years.
Is your dog pushing your buttons? We hate to break it to you but what you reward is what you get. Reward excitement, get an overexcited dog. Reward fear, get a scared dog. Reward anxiety, get an anxious dog. Reward dominance, get a dominant dog. Before you go labeling your dog as the problem, stop and think about what YOU, the thing your dog loves most, are teaching your dog to be.
