Peer-reviewed2011
Rewards build better learners
Linked more reward use to better learning performance, more playfulness, and better engagement.
“Dogs whose owners reported using more rewards tended to perform better in a novel training task.”
Source details
Source
Training methods and owner–dog interactions: Links with dog behaviour and learning ability
Rooney & Cowan
Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Evidence level
Primary evidence
Credibility
Last reviewed
May 30, 2026
Why we included it
Shows force-free training is compatible with strong learning outcomes.
GeneralWelfare