The quote, “The problem isn't that Johnny can't read. The problem isn't even that Johnny can't think. The problem is that Johnny doesn't know what thinking is; he confuses it with feeling" [Thomas Sowell], can be applied to dog ownership, behaviour, and training in profound ways. It highlights a common issue: many dog owners approach their dog's behaviour and needs through the lens of emotion rather than reasoned understanding.

1. 𝙀𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝘿𝙤𝙜𝙨
Dog owners often anthropomorphize their pets, interpreting their actions and reactions based on human emotions rather than canine instincts. For example, a dog barking at a stranger might be seen as "protective love" when, in reality, it could be fear or territorial behaviour. Similarly, a dog refusing to obey a command might not be "stubborn" but rather confused or inadequately trained. This confusion between feeling and thinking leads owners to react emotionally—comforting an anxious dog or excusing misbehaviour—instead of addressing the root cause through structured, thoughtful training.

2. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨
Dogs thrive on structure, rules, and clear leadership. Owners who make decisions based on feelings, such as avoiding consequences for undesirable behaviour because it feels "mean," fail to establish the boundaries dogs need for psychological stability. This emotional approach may result in dogs becoming confused, insecure, anxious, or even domineering. Effective dog training requires logical thinking—understanding why a behaviour occurs and responding with appropriate, consistent consequences rather than emotional indulgence.

3. 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜
In training, it’s essential to recognize that dogs do not reason or understand emotions in the same way humans do. They respond to their environment, associations, and consequences. For instance, positively reinforcing a dog’s calm behaviour or appropriately correcting unwanted behaviour creates clarity and fosters learning. On the other hand, training that confuses emotional reassurance for problem-solving—such as soothing a dog during reactive outbursts—reinforces instability. A thinking-based approach to training acknowledges the need for clear communication and structure, rather than relying solely on affection or intuition.

4. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨
When owners focus on feelings—whether it’s guilt over setting boundaries or discomfort with administering corrections—they may inadvertently perpetuate behavioural problems. Dogs with anxiety, aggression, or disobedience do not benefit from emotional reassurance. They need a calm, confident leader who thinks through solutions, implements them consistently, and sets the dog up for success through proper guidance.

𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣
Understanding the difference between thinking and feeling is fundamental to responsible dog ownership and effective training. Like Johnny, dog owners must learn to think critically about their dog’s behaviour instead of relying on emotions to guide their actions. By doing so, they can create a harmonious relationship that meets the dog’s needs while fostering balanced, stable behaviour.

𝔼𝕞𝕠𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 ℙ𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝟚: 𝔸𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕣 ℍ𝕒𝕤 ℕ𝕠 ℙ𝕝𝕒𝕔𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝔻𝕠𝕘 𝕆𝕨𝕟𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡, 𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔹𝕖𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕄𝕠𝕕𝕚𝕗𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

While emotions such as affection or guilt can lead to confusion and instability in dogs, anger is an equally destructive emotion that has no place in dog ownership, training, or behaviour modification. Acting out of anger not only damages the trust and bond between you and your dog but can also have long-term psychological effects, hindering their development and wellbeing.

1. 𝘼𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝘽𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙀𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥
Dogs rely on their owners to provide calm, consistent leadership. When an owner reacts with anger, it creates an unpredictable and threatening environment for the dog. Anger-based responses, such as shouting, hitting, or losing control, fail to address the root cause of the behaviour and instead instill fear. Fearful dogs do not learn; they merely try to avoid the source of the fear, often leading to suppression of behaviour rather than true resolution. This damages the owner’s credibility as a leader and replaces respect with anxiety.

2. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙨𝙮𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝘿𝙤𝙜𝙨
Dogs are highly sensitive to their environment and their owner’s emotional state. When subjected to angry outbursts, they can become:
- 𝙁𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡: Constant exposure to anger can lead to chronic stress or anxiety, manifesting in behaviours like trembling, hiding, or submissive urination.
- 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚: Some dogs respond to anger with defensive aggression, escalating behavioural issues rather than resolving them.
- 𝙀𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙎𝙝𝙪𝙩 𝘿𝙤𝙬𝙣: Over time, dogs subjected to anger may lose their natural curiosity and confidence, withdrawing from social interactions and exhibiting learned helplessness. When corrections or punishments are delivered in anger, the dog often shifts into 𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 to escape the owner's aggressive reaction, rather than understanding the intended consequence of their unwanted action. As a result, the lesson is lost, and the relationship suffers.It’s also important to recognise that anger and frustration in dog training often stem from a lack of supervision and failure to provide direct, immediate consequences for unwanted behaviours. When owners miss opportunities to address behaviours calmly and effectively as they occur, they can feel overwhelmed, leading to emotional outbursts that do more harm than good. Many dog owners inadvertently set their dogs up for failure by not providing the proper structure or guidance, only to then blame the dog for not ceasing the unwanted behaviour. This not only undermines the dog’s learning process but also leads to feelings of resentment and confusion for both the dog and the owner.

As Ambrose Bierce wisely noted:
"𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘵." In the context of dog training, reacting in anger often results in regrettable outcomes—eroding trust, instilling fear, and leaving the undesired behaviour unaddressed or, worse, creating new behavioural issues.

3. 𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨
Anger clouds judgement and prevents owners from addressing the actual cause of a dog’s behaviour. For example, if a dog chews on furniture and the owner reacts with anger, the root issue—such as boredom, anxiety, or teething—is ignored. A calm, thoughtful approach involves identifying the cause and implementing training, management, or enrichment strategies to resolve the problem.

4. 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙢, 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥
Training and behaviour modification require patience, understanding, and emotional control. By staying calm and composed, you create a stable environment where your dog feels safe to learn and grow. Dogs respond best to clear communication, predictable consequences, and rewards for desirable behaviour. Corrections, when needed, must be delivered fairly and proportionately—not out of frustration or anger.

5. 𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙀𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨
Instead of letting anger take control, focus on problem-solving and prevention. For example:
- If your dog pulls on the lead, replace frustration with structured training sessions to teach loose-lead walking.
- If your dog chews inappropriate items, calmly correct the behaviour, redirect them to acceptable alternatives, and reward them for choosing appropriately.
- Seek professional guidance if you’re struggling with specific challenges, as an experienced trainer can provide effective strategies without emotional interference.

𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣
Anger is a destructive force in dog ownership and training, undermining trust, stability, and the potential for positive learning. While corrections may sometimes be necessary, they should be applied thoughtfully, calmly, and with the dog’s best interest in mind. By eliminating anger and focusing on compassionate, structured leadership, you can foster a stronger bond with your dog and create an environment where they thrive both emotionally and behaviourally. Your dog depends on you for guidance and stability—give them the calm, reasoned leadership they need, and watch their confidence and trust in you grow.

ℙ𝕠𝕤𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖-𝕆𝕟𝕝𝕪 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖-𝔽𝕣𝕖𝕖 𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 ℍ𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕊𝕨𝕦𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕖 ℙ𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕦𝕝𝕦𝕞 𝕋𝕠𝕠 𝔽𝕒𝕣

While positive reinforcement is an essential and highly effective tool in dog training, the "positive-only" and "force-free" approaches—where positive punishment and negative reinforcement are entirely excluded—have led to a pendulum swing too far in the opposite direction. These ideologies, though well-intentioned, often result in unresolved behaviours in dogs, leaving owners frustrated and dogs confused or emotionally unstable.Positive-only and force-free training are both 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣-𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 that prioritise the avoidance of negative feelings in dogs. These methods focus on reinforcing desired behaviours through rewards, often neglecting the need for clear communication around boundaries. While they aim to create a harmonious, fear-free environment, they can inadvertently overlook the importance of teaching dogs how to respond to appropriate consequences for undesirable behaviour. In some cases, this emotional emphasis may hinder the dog’s ability to fully understand and respect boundaries.

1. 𝘿𝙤𝙜𝙨 𝙍𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝘾𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝘽𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨
Dogs, like humans, learn not only from rewards but also from understanding boundaries and consequences for unwanted behaviour. A balanced approach combines positive reinforcement for desired behaviours with appropriate punishment or consequences for inappropriate ones. When positive punishment and negative reinforcement are entirely excluded, dogs may struggle to understand what is unacceptable. This lack of clarity often leads to persistent behavioural issues such as:
- Pulling on the lead
- Jumping up on people
- Excessive barking
- Aggression towards other dogs or humans Without consequences, these behaviours may escalate, as the dog doesn't learn that such actions result in undesirable outcomes.

2. 𝘼𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝘾𝙖𝙣 𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙀𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮
Positive-only and force-free methodologies often focus solely on reinforcing desired behaviour without addressing the underlying causes of undesirable behaviours. For example:
- A reactive dog barking at other dogs may receive treats to redirect their attention, but this in many cases does not help address the root of their reactivity, such as fear, frustration, or lack of impulse control.
- A dog that constantly jumps on visitors may be distracted with treats but never taught that this behaviour is unacceptable. By ignoring or failing to punish (or correct) the behaviour, the dog may remain in an emotionally unstable or chaotic state, perpetuating the issue.

3. 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙁𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙀𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨
When a dog owner becomes frustrated, they may inadvertently revert to negative emotions such as anger and impatience, particularly when dealing with unresolved behavioural issues that positive-only and force-free methodologies fail to address. These two methods often focus so heavily on rewards and ignoring undesirable behaviour that they can leave owners feeling helpless and ineffective when issues persist. This frustration can cause the owner to eventually lash out in anger or become emotionally reactive, making it harder for the dog to understand the boundaries and leading to a breakdown in the owner-dog relationship. This emotional reaction can further complicate the situation, as the owner may struggle to find a solution, leading to a cycle of frustration that hinders both their relationship with the dog and the dog's progress.4. 𝘽𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙨 𝘼𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙙 𝙀𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨
A balanced approach to dog training helps owners avoid becoming emotionally reactive, like getting angry or frustrated with their dog. By incorporating positive reinforcement and appropriate, fair positive punishment and negative reinforcement, the owner can take a more controlled and calm approach to managing undesirable behaviours. Rather than becoming frustrated when unwanted behaviours persist, the owner understands that clear, consistent positive punishment (and negative reinforcement)—delivered without anger—help the dog learn boundaries. This clarity reduces the likelihood of emotional reactions and helps maintain a calm, stable training environment, where both the dog and the owner can thrive.

5. 𝘿𝙤𝙜𝙨 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝘽𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚, 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙀𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙨
Dogs are social creatures that understand the need for structure and rules within their environment. In the natural world, they learn through feedback—both positive and negative—from their interactions with other dogs. For example:
- A puppy biting too hard during play is punished by an older dog through a growl or snap.
- Dogs in a pack setting learn boundaries and social etiquette from their peers, often through positive punishment and negative reinforcement. When training removes all forms of positive punishment and negative reinforcement, it denies dogs a fundamental aspect of their learning process. Balanced training mirrors this natural learning, offering both rewards and clear, fair consequences.

6. 𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙀𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙨
Positive-only and force-free advocates often base their philosophy on the claim that positive punishment and negative reinforcement are cruel or unethical. However, this misrepresents the nature of balanced training.
- Ethical positive punishment and negative reinforcement are not about causing fear or harm but providing clear, proportionate consequences just above the dog's threshold of discomfort to interrupt and redirect behaviour.
- Properly applied corrections are momentary, clear, and paired with guidance, helping dogs understand the limits of acceptable behaviour. When positive-only trainers refuse to use positive punishment and negative reinforcement, they may inadvertently allow bad behaviour to continue, which can lead to greater stress for both the dog and the owner.

7. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩: 𝙐𝙣𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝘽𝙚𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨
The positive-only and force-free approach often leaves owners ill-equipped to manage serious behavioural issues. For example:
- Aggression: Treat-based training alone is rarely sufficient to resolve aggression. Without clear consequences for aggressive displays, dogs may continue to engage in harmful behaviour.
- Reactivity: A dog lunging at passing dogs may be momentarily distracted by treats but remains reactive due to a lack of consistent predictable consequences for the behaviour.
- Boundary Testing: Without positive punishment, some dogs continue to test boundaries, making it difficult for owners to establish authority and maintain a peaceful household. Many owners report that despite months or years of positive-only training, their dog's behaviours remain unchanged or worsen, forcing them to seek help from balanced trainers who address the issues holistically.

8. 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
A balanced training approach provides the best of both worlds:
- 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Rewarding desired behaviours with treats, praise, or play to encourage learning and strengthen the dog-owner bond.
- 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Delivering fair, proportionate consequences for undesirable behaviours to guide the dog toward acceptable actions. This balance ensures dogs understand what is expected of them, creating clarity, stability, and trust. Crucially, punishment is never driven by anger but is about setting boundaries in a way the dog can comprehend. As one of my respected instructors at the Air Force Police Dog Training Centre would always remind me, "𝙋𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡, 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡".

𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣
Positive-only and force-free training have swung the pendulum too far by excluding positive punishment and negative reinforcement entirely, often leaving dogs confused and behaviours unresolved. While positive reinforcement is an invaluable tool, it cannot stand alone when addressing serious behavioural issues. Dogs thrive under balanced training that provides both rewards and boundaries, mirroring the natural feedback they receive from their environment. By embracing this approach, owners can build confident, well-behaved dogs who feel secure within their structure, ultimately strengthening the bond between human and canine.