Positive reinforcement results in an increase in the frequency and intensity of a behavior. Negative reinforcement results in a decrease in the frequency and intensity of a behavior.
( Positive reinforcement is anything that the dog perceives as a good result.
Negative reinforcement is any result that doesn't please him, including no result at all. )
OK. what's that mean?
Well, first, it means that inappropriate behaviors cannot be eliminated overnight. Second, it means that good behaviors take time to develop.
For example, a dog that is aggressive towards its' owner generally begins with little challenges that the owner may not even recognize. At the start, he may only challenge once a month. If he gets away with it ( because the owners think it's cute or don't respond properly to the challenge) he's getting positive reinforcement. Before long, he's getting aggressive once a week. Hey, if it works let's use it! Right?
About now, the owners are aware of the aggression and are becoming a little balky. Now Buster's authority is being challenged so he instinctively intensifies his challenge. If the owners respond incorrectly or ineffectively at this time his behavior is being positively reinforced, and so on, down the slippery slope of major disaster.
If we are trying to get rid of bad habits, it works in reverse. With proper training, the behavior becomes less intense and occurs less frequently, until, hopefully, it never occurs again in that dogs' lifetime.
Now you know what to expect and why training is a never-ending endeavor.
Good luck with your training!
Neil