2d • GENERAL
Pressure in Dog Training: Use It on Purpose, Not by Accident
Pressure is already part of dog training—whether you admit it or not.
The leash tighteningYour body blocking spaceYour voice changingWithholding access to something the dog wants
The real question isn’t “Should we use pressure?”It’s “Are we using it deliberately, clearly, and fairly?”
What Pressure Actually Is
Pressure is anything the dog wants to move away from.
That can be:
- Physical (leash, spatial pressure, touch)
- Social (body language, eye contact, posture)
- Environmental (barriers, access control)
- Psychological (clarity vs uncertainty)
Pressure is not punishment by default.Pressure becomes a problem when it’s unintentional, emotional, or unclear.
Good Pressure Has 3 Rules
If you’re going to apply pressure, it should always be:
- PredictableThe dog knows what turns it off.
- Proportional Just enough to create information—not panic or shutdown.
- ReleasableThe release is the lesson. No release = no learning.
If the dog can’t find the off-switch, you’re not training—you’re flooding.
Pressure Without Release Creates Conflict
Dogs don’t learn from pressure alone.They learn from pressure → choice → relief.
That relief:
- Builds confidence
- Creates clarity
- Teaches the dog how to succeed
A dog that understands how to turn pressure off becomes calm, thinking, and cooperative.
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Pressure in Dog Training: Use It on Purpose, Not by Accident
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