Understanding Dog Training Methods: Reward-Based Balanced Training vs. Compulsion Training

As a professional dog trainer, my goal is always to help dogs and their owners build a strong, trusting relationship. One of the most important aspects of training is choosing the right method—one that is both effective and ethical.

There are many different training philosophies, but today I want to focus on two approaches: Reward-Based Balanced Training and Compulsion Training. While both methods aim to achieve obedience and good behaviour, they take very different paths to get there. Understanding the difference is crucial for any dog owner who wants a happy, well-adjusted dog.

What is Reward-Based Balanced Training?

Balanced training, when done correctly, is a method that incorporates both positive reinforcement (rewards) and fair corrections when necessary. However, a truly reward-based balanced approach prioritises positive reinforcement, ensuring the dog understands exactly what is expected before any correction is introduced.

How It Works:

• Dogs are taught behaviours using food, toys, praise, or other motivators they find rewarding. Owners can use luring and fee shaping to help show dogs movement and positions, or reward in position to reinforce the behaviour and encourage the dog to perform the behaviour again.

• Once a dog fully understands a command in a variety of environments and around various stimuli, only then minor corrections (such as a leash cue, low e-collar stimulation or verbal marker) may be used to reinforce boundaries.

• The goal is to set the dog up for success, encouraging good behaviour while gently discouraging unwanted actions.

• Training is clear, fair, and maintains trust between the dog and handler.

When balanced training is approached in this way, dogs remain engaged, expressive, motivated, and eager to learn. They associate training with positive experiences, which strengthens the bond with their owner.

What is Compulsion Training?

Compulsion training, also known as force-based training, relies primarily on pressure, physical corrections, and punishment to make the dog comply. Instead of teaching behaviours through positive reinforcement first, dogs are often expected to respond to commands out of avoidance of discomfort.

Compulsion training is an outdated method but still exists today. It can be hard for owners to determine whether this method is being advised as quite commonly trainers using this method portray that they use a “balanced” approach or have a clever way of marketing their technique, often by showing quick turnarounds or “fixes” to promote their business.

How It Works:

• Dogs are given commands and are corrected if they do not respond quickly or correctly. Positioning is reinforced via pressure and force as opposed to using food to reinforce and show the dog what is expected.

• Corrections may include harsh lead jerks or repetitive lead pressure to force the dog to move into position, excessive prong or slip collar pressure and excessive e-collar stimulation.

• Rewards are typically minimal or absent—the focus is on stopping undesirable behaviour rather than encouraging good behaviour.

• Dogs comply to avoid punishment - rather than to earn rewards.

The Problems with Relying on Pressure and Punishment Without Reward

While compulsion training can produce obedient dogs, it comes with significant risks. Here’s why relying on pressure and punishment without reward can create problems:

1. Increased Fear and Anxiety

Dogs that are trained through compulsion often learn to associate training (and sometimes even their handler) with stress. Instead of being excited to learn, they may become nervous, hesitant, or even shut down.

You can gauge how your dog is feeling throughout a training session by assessing body language - some signs that may indicate your dog is feeling shut down and stressed are;

Hesitant movements, ears pinned back, nervous glancing eye contact, head bowed down as opposed to up and offering engagement, slower, less confident movement into positions, freezing instead of moving into positions, tucked tail or offering frantic behaviours to attempt to avoid correction or conflict.

2. Suppression of Behaviour Instead of True Behaviour Modification

A dog trained through excessive correction may learn to comply, but they don’t always understand why they should behave a certain way. Instead of making good choices, they simply avoid punishment—this can lead to inconsistent responses.

We know through excessive study and research of canine cognition and behaviour that mindset change on a psychological level is possible through methods such as counter conditioning - but this method can take time.

Suppressing behaviour through fear of punishment can appear to “fix” unwanted behaviour such as reactivity quickly, but the dog’s mindset towards triggers has not been altered.

Dogs, like humans, have a limbic system, which is responsible for processing emotions, memory, and motivation. A key player in this system is the amygdala, the brain’s fear center. When a dog encounters something it perceives as threatening, the amygdala sends a signal that triggers the fight, flight, or freeze response. This reaction is designed to protect the dog, but when a dog has developed irrational fears or reactivity, the amygdala may be overactive.

Counterconditioning using positive reinforcement helps to retrain the amygdala by gradually replacing negative emotional responses with positive ones. Over time, the dog’s brain learns that the trigger (such as a stranger or another dog) is not a threat, reducing fear and anxiety.

By pairing a previously feared stimulus with high-value rewards (such as food or play), we increase dopamine levels, helping the dog associate the trigger with positive emotions rather than fear.

When counterconditioning is done correctly, the dog experiences less stress and more relaxation, leading to increased serotonin production.

When a dog is corrected for reacting to a stimulus (e.g., barking at another dog), their brain doesn’t learn a new, positive association—instead, it simply learns to fear the consequences of reacting.

• The amygdala (fear center) remains overactive, reinforcing stress responses.

• Cortisol (stress hormone) levels increase, making the dog more anxious over time.

• If punishment is repeated, the dog may begin to associate the correction itself with the trigger, leading to even more negative emotional responses.

A good clue as to whether you have changed your dog’s mindset towards triggers is to consider whether your dog would still display the unwanted behaviours or not when the fear of punishment is removed.

Usually when suppression and compulsion methods have been implemented, the unwanted behaviour continues on occasions where your dog is not under command - it may be more explosive when it does occur and can become less predictable, as your dog has been forced to comply and suppress the behaviour despite being clearly uncomfortable when over threshold multiple times.

When mindset change is occurring through utilising counter conditioning and relationship building, you should gradually see an improvement in your dog’s behaviour around triggers outside of obedience. Your dog should be able to clearly make the decision to re-engage with you without force, calmly take themselves away from a difficult situation instead of aggress and show improved engagement with the handler along with healthy expression.

3. Potential for Aggression or Learned Helplessness

Some dogs, especially those with sensitive temperaments, may become fearful or defensive. When punishment is used too often, dogs may respond with aggression as a way to protect themselves.

This can be a cause for redirected bites to the handler or nearby dogs/humans during stressful moments. Others may give up entirely, showing signs of learned helplessness where they stop trying altogether or proceed to go through the motions at a slow pace, showing signs they are hesitant to “try” in case they are corrected for making the “wrong move”.

4. Weakens the Human-Dog Bond

The most rewarding part of dog ownership is the relationship we build with our dogs. When training is based on fear or pressure alone, that bond can suffer. Dogs should trust their owners, not just obey them out of fear or to avoid punishment.

5. Lack of Motivation to Work with the Handler

Dogs that receive no positive reinforcement often lose enthusiasm for training. When there’s no reward for correct behaviour, they may only comply when absolutely necessary, rather than engaging willingly with their owner.

The Right Balance: Fair and Effective Training

As a trainer, I believe in setting dogs up for success. A well-balanced approach should always be reward-based first, ensuring the dog knows what is expected and is motivated to engage in training. Corrections, when used, should be fair, minimal, and only introduced once a behaviour is fully understood.

What to Look for in a Training System

If you’re seeking professional training for your dog, consider these key factors:

✔️ Uses positive reinforcement as the foundation

✔️ Encourages engagement, praise and motivation

✔️ Focuses on clear communication

✔️ Minimizes unnecessary corrections

✔️ Strengthens the bond between dog and owner

At the end of the day, training should be a team effort—one that improves trust, cooperation, and confidence. A well-trained dog isn’t just obedient; they’re happy, relaxed, and eager to work with their owner.

If you’d like to learn more about effective, ethical training methods, feel free to reach out—I’d love to help you and your dog achieve your training goals in a way that’s both successful and enjoyable!