Another weekend passes, and once again I have worked with several families whose dogs have previously undergone what was described to them as positive only dog training.
In every case, the outcome was the same: the approach had either been ineffective or had actively contributed to the dog’s ongoing anxiety, reactivity, or behavioural instability.
While this may be “good for business,” it is deeply unfair on families who have invested significant time, money, and emotional energy — only to be left disempowered, confused, and often told that their dog is the problem.
When Training Advice Feels Wrong — Trust That
A common thread I hear from owners is this:
“I knew it didn’t feel right, but I kept going because I was told this was the correct approach.”
If advice doesn’t feel right to you, it usually isn’t.
Your intuition is not ignorance — it’s perception.
Dogs are emotional, perceptive animals. They respond to clarity, presence, and confidence far more than they respond to technique alone. When advice ignores this, problems persist.
No Dog Is “Untrainable” — Methods Are
Recently I worked with Mary-Anne and her 18-month-old female Kelpie. After a brief assessment elsewhere, she had been told her dog was untrainable. No refund was offered, despite a contract being signed.
In over 25 years of working with dogs, I have never met a dog I would classify as untrainable.
When a dog does not respond, it does not mean the dog is the problem.
It means the approach being used is not appropriate for that dog.
Within a short time, Mary-Anne’s dog was calmly walking, settling on her bed, respecting boundaries, and responding naturally to guidance — without pressure, force, or bribery.
A dog that does not respond to treats is not broken.
It simply needs a different form of connection.
Anxiety Is Not Overcome by Avoidance
Another recent case involved a dog-aggressive Lhasa Apso. For 18 months, the owner had been advised to avoid other dogs, cross the road, and use treats whenever a trigger appeared.
After all that time, there was no improvement.
Within minutes of calm, grounded leadership and clear direction, we were able to walk past multiple dogs and introduce controlled interactions without incident.
Avoidance does not build confidence.
It reinforces fear.
Dogs overcome anxiety when they feel safe following someone who is calm, present, and centred — not someone who retreats from every challenge.
Weak Guidance Increases Anxiety — It Doesn’t Reduce It
I also worked with a family whose young Border Collie had not left the house on lead for six months due to anxiety. The advice they were given was to continue coaxing with treats and high-pitched encouragement.
After six months, nothing had changed.
An anxious dog will not follow uncertainty.
If the handler is hesitant, the dog has no reason to feel safe.
Once calm, confident movement was introduced, the dog followed naturally.
Dogs do not need pleading.
They need clarity.
The Flaw in “Positive Only” as a Philosophy
When training philosophy becomes rigid, dog welfare suffers.
Many trainers operating under a positive-only banner lack depth, adaptability, and real-world experience. When methods fail, excuses replace accountability:
“It’s too old.”
“You missed puppy school.”
“That breed is untrainable.”
“It needs medication.”
“You’re not allowed to challenge the dog.”
What you rarely hear is:
“This approach isn’t working — here is your money back.”
Behaviour change should be judged by outcome, not ideology.
A calm, stable dog is the goal — not adherence to a philosophy that ignores nature, instinct, and emotional balance.
Dogs Need Both Support and Challenge
In nature, balance is maintained through clarity and appropriate challenge — not constant reassurance.
Just like children, dogs require:
Clear boundaries
Calm leadership
Guidance through discomfort
Emotional regulation modelled by the handler
Over-protecting, avoiding, or constantly rewarding anxious behaviour does not resolve it. It often reinforces it.
This is why many families eventually seek private, in-home guidance from an experienced professional, rather than continuing with techniques that never translate into real-world calm.
For owners wanting structured support, this is where a behaviour-led approach to dog training makes the difference.
Final Thought
Positive outcomes matter.
Not labels. Not ideology. Not trends.
If an approach does not produce calm, stable behaviour, it should be questioned — regardless of how well marketed it is.
Dogs thrive when they are understood, guided, and led with clarity.
That has always been true — and it always will be.
