New Study: More Dog Owners Are Choosing Positive Reinforcement Training

A new study (04/2026) by researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the University of Edinburgh shows that positive reinforcement has become a widely used approach to dog training. The study found that dog owners most often reward desired behaviour with treats, toys, and praise, while punishment-based methods are used much less frequently. According to the research, 86% of participants rewarded their dogs with treats or toys, and 97% used verbal praise as part of their training. The study also explored how owners' attitudes toward animal welfare influence the training methods they choose. (Source; ScienceDirect - www.sciencedirect.com)

Positive reinforcement makes training motivating, safe, and enjoyable for dogs.

When a dog is rewarded immediately for the right behaviour, learning becomes faster and training sessions become a fun experience for both the dog and the owner.

More Success for Dog Training

Train'N'Treat dog treat dispenser makes dog training even easier and more enjoyable. With treats always ready to dispense at exactly the right moment, rewarding becomes quick, accurate, and consistent. Just a 5 minutes of daily training helps dogs learn new skills faster, strengthens the bond of trust between dog and owner, and builds a confident, well-mannered companion for everyday life.

A True Story from Train'N'Treat user

Does your dog get restless in passing situations? Does the leash tighten, does your dog bark, or lunge toward approaching dogs? A reactive dog on leash is a common challenge, and there are effective, gentle solutions. In this blog post, we share the experiences of Oulu-based Titta Leppänen and her daily life with Yona and Noomi, and explain how the Train’N’Treat treat dispenser and the LAT (Look at That) method have helped in training a reactive dog.

Read the blog post: Barking, Pulling, and Lunging on Walks? Real Help for Your Reactive Dog