The Truth About Reinforcement Placement

Reward placement can make or break your training.
Most handlers know what to reward. Fewer think about where they reward.

Where you deliver that toy or treat shapes how your dog moves, where they focus, and how they feel about the exercise.
It’s not random. It’s communication.

If you always reward from your hand, your dog learns to come back to you — even when you’re trying to send them forward.
If you throw the toy forward, you build drive and commitment away from you.
If you reward behind for control work, you build thoughtfulness and self-checking.

Reinforcement placement literally changes behaviour. It can make your dog tighter, looser, faster, calmer, or more independent — all without saying a word.

Every reward sends a message.
So the next time you train, ask yourself:
Is my reward placement helping my goal, or fighting it?

The difference between an average team and an elite one often comes down to details this small.
Because when you understand reinforcement, you stop reacting — and start shaping like a pro.

💭 Wisdom Wednesday: Your dog is always learning. Make sure what you reward is what you actually want to see again.