What is the best practice for increasing the likelihood of a behavior being repeated?

Positive reinforcement is the most effective method for increasing the likelihood of a behavior being repeated because it focuses on rewarding the dog for desirable behaviors, which encourages them to engage in those behaviors again. This approach is based on the principles of operant conditioning where behaviors followed by positive outcomes are more likely to recur.

When a dog performs a wanted behavior and is immediately rewarded—whether through treats, praise, or play—the dog learns to associate that behavior with positive experiences. This not only strengthens the bond between the dog and the trainer but also leads to a more motivated and eager learner. Creating a positive learning environment helps to promote a dog's overall emotional well-being and enhances training results.

While other options, such as aversive methods or negative consequences, may initially suppress unwanted behaviors, they can lead to fear, anxiety, and stress, which ultimately may damage the human-animal relationship. Click and treat is also a form of positive reinforcement but is more specific to marking the behavior with a clicker before providing a reward; it is a technique rather than a broader strategy for increasing behavior frequency. In contrast, positive reinforcement encompasses a wide range of rewarding techniques and is well supported by animal behavior research as the best practice for building desirable behaviors.