MANNERS MATTER
Manners Matter is all about helping dogs succeed in the real world, and helping humans enjoy life with them a little more. From polite greetings to calm walks and everyday good habits, this space focuses on training that builds confidence, reduces stress, and makes dogs genuinely welcome wherever they go. Because good manners aren’t about perfection; they’re about clear communication, mutual respect, and setting everyone up for success.
it's a balancing act
Finding the sweet spot between bribes and rewards.
Dog training approaches fall into three main methodologies: positive reinforcement, balanced, and correction-based. Many professionals fall in between positive reinforcement and balanced training methods, and while there isn't a formal label for this approach, many refer to this philosophy as LIMA: least intrusive, minimally aversive. This is the approach we use here at the O-H Corral and it's what I'll talk about the most in my blog.
what are THE FOUR QUADRANTS OF DOG TRAINING?
positive reinforcement
Adding a stimulus to increase or get more of a specific behavior. Like when you give your dog a treat when you tell them to sit and they do.
negative reinforcement
Taking away a stimulus to get more of a certain behavior. If you use an e-collar for training, this would be like when you stop sending the buzz after the dog responds to your recall command.
negative punishment
Subtracting a stimulus to get less of a specific behavior. Like when you withhold a treat when your dog doesn't do what you tell them to do.
positive punishment
Adding a stimulus to get less of a specific behavior. If you use a prong collar, this is like when you give a quick snap while walking to get the dog to stop pulling.
ground control to major tom
We regularly use e-collars to communicate with with Gus and Pike. Not as a punishment, but as a way to give them off-leash experiences in safe spaces. When introduced properly and used at low levels tailored to each dogs' sensitivity, e-collars can provide clear, consistent cues that help dogs understand expectations, especially in real-world situations where safety matters. Paired with positive reinforcement and solid training foundations, e-collars give handlers a reliable way to redirect, guide, and keep their dogs safe. The goal is always clarity, confidence, and a stronger relationship built on trust, not fear.
OUR FAVORITE training tools
Any tool can be problematic when used improperly or incorrectly. Always consult a trusted and experienced trainer before adding any new training device to your training toolbox. I do NOT receive any compensation for the recommendations on this site. If I post a link to a product, it's because I like it, trust it, and use it with my own crew every day.
20-ft. Training Lead
We initially used this lead as a tool for recall training. Now we use it on our e-collar outings. We have the dogs spend the first 5 minutes of our planned off-leash sessions tethered to a lead so that we can get them decompressed before turning them loose. This way, we set them up for success, not failure.
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Mini Nibs
I'm a big fan of Vital Essentials Mini Nibs because they're dual purpose. A big 14-oz. bag lasts forever when we just use them as training treats but I know we can also use this as a meal if I get into a jam for some reason. Each formula — beef, chicken, duck, rabbit, and turkey — is made from a single protein with no extra ingredients.
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