Dog Star Park

For decades, dog training was based on dominance: “the dog must know who is in charge”. But neuroscience changed everything. Today we know that positive reinforcement is not only more ethical, but significantly more effective in the long term. Dogs trained with positive methods learn faster, retain what they have learned better and, above all, develop a stronger and more secure bond with their humans.

There is an uncomfortable silence after an earthquake. Dust still hangs in the air, debris smoulders, and the world seems to have stopped. Then, amid that silence, two sounds are heard: the scrape of rescuers' boots on broken concrete, and a deeper, more primal sound: the rhythmic panting of a search and rescue dog.

This article is a tribute to them. To the four-legged heroes.

"Sure, with food any dog obeys." "My dog should do things because they respect me, not for a biscuit." "Positive reinforcement works for tricks, not for serious problems."

If you've ever heard (or thought) phrases like these, this article is for you.

Positive reinforcement is probably the most misunderstood concept in dog training. It's not "bribing the dog with food". It's not "being soft". And it's definitely not "letting them do whatever they want".