22d • GENERAL
The Most Underused & Misunderstood Language in Dog Training: Pressure & Release
Most people overlook the most natural learning system for dogs: pressure and release. It’s simple, powerful, and when you master it—training becomes effortless.
Here’s the framework I use:
1️⃣ Apply Pressure
This could be:
- A gentle leash cue
- Stepping into the dog’s space
- A low-level e-collar stim
Pressure isn’t punishment—it’s just a signal that says, “Try something different.”
2️⃣ Release Instantly
The release is the reward.
- Dog stops pulling → leash slackens
- Dog yields to space → you step back
- Dog responds to stim → it turns off
Clarity comes from the timing. The release tells the dog, “Yes, that was the right choice.”
3️⃣ Add Accountability
Once the dog knows the behaviour, ignoring it can fairly bring more pressure.This is where pressure becomes:
- Negative reinforcement → pressure goes away when they comply
- Correction or Punishment → pressure is added for ignoring a known command (this can scale up from a correction all the way to positive punishment)
👉 Together, this creates calm, reliable dogs that understand their choices control the outcome.
That’s why pressure and release isn’t just a method—it’s a language. And the trainers who master it are the ones who make training look easy.
Ollie
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The Most Underused & Misunderstood Language in Dog Training: Pressure & Release
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