What doesn't exist: "Positive Only" dog training. Thoughts from Michael Bishop on Dog Training, Little Rock.
- Michael Bishop
- May 31
- 2 min read
I’d like to offer a bit of perspective on the concept of “positive-only” training, especially in the context of operant conditioning. My intention here isn’t to criticize, but to contribute constructively to the conversation — because as a professional dog trainer in Little Rock, I believe nuance is crucial for us to consider.
While positive reinforcement is a powerful and effective tool in shaping behavior, it’s often misunderstood or presented in isolation. In reality, there’s no such thing as a purely “positive-only” training system — because behavior doesn’t occur in a vacuum. Every form of reinforcement or motivation, even those considered “positive,” exists within a broader ecosystem of pressure, need, and relief.
Take hunger, for example: the discomfort or drive to seek food is a form of pressure, biologically hardwired into all animals. Eating doesn’t just bring pleasure; it removes that pressure. That’s the essence of negative reinforcement — the removal of an aversive stimulus (hunger) to strengthen a behavior (eating). If that pressure didn’t exist, eating wouldn’t be as reinforcing as it is. So even in what we consider a “positive” process, relief from discomfort plays a central role.
This is where balance matters. The reason food works so well as a reinforcer is because of the natural drive to escape the discomfort of hunger. These forces — the drive to seek reward and the drive to escape discomfort — are two sides of the same coin.
This concept isn’t just theoretical; it’s rooted in the fundamental laws of the universe. Isaac Newton, who described the laws of motion and gravity, helped us understand how forces interact — forces that always have an equal and opposite reaction. In dog training, we can see this too: behavior is driven by the push and pull of motivation and relief, not just one or the other.
Now, onto tools like e-collars or leashes. Many objections to these tools stem from the assumption that they’re inherently designed to inflict pain. But if we look purely at learning theory, both leashes and e-collars function primarily through pressure-and-release, which is negative reinforcement. You apply pressure (leash tension, e-collar stimulation) and release it the moment the dog performs the correct behavior. This reinforces the desired behavior — not through pain, but through clear communication and consistency.
In fact, when misunderstood or misused, a leash can cause more physical harm or confusion than a properly used e-collar. And this brings me to the crux of my point: If a trainer doesn’t understand the mechanics of negative reinforcement, they should be cautious not just with e-collars, but with any tool that relies on pressure — including the leash.
The goal isn’t to debate tools, but to elevate our understanding of behavior and reinforcement. Whether you use food, leash pressure, an e-collar, or a clicker, the most important thing is knowing why and how it works — and ensuring it’s fair, consistent, and ethical for the dog.
A dog trainers approach should be to use the science of motivation and reinforcement — not ideology — to help dogs and their people succeed. Let’s keep learning and refining our craft, together. It's pretty simple.....
Michael Bishop on Dog Training, Little Rock
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