Reward-based methods are better for dogs and the human-animal bond, but some trainers still use aversives.

A study found that reward-based trainers put emphasis on education while aversives trainers value experience.

Trainers who switched to a modern approach say it was because of empathy for dogs and better education.

The scientific evidence on dog training methods shows that the use of aversives (such as prong and shock collars or tugs on the leash) has risks for dog welfare and for the dog-human relationship. But dog training is not regulated, and some trainers still use these outdated methods.

New research published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science sheds light on the differing viewpoints of American reward-based and aversive trainers. The results show that while both types of dog trainer say they take good dog welfare into account, reward-based trainers put much more emphasis on a formal education. Perhaps unsurprisingly, aversive trainers put more emphasis on their experience, and claim—despite the evidence of the risks, the position statements from veterinary and animal welfare organizations, and the abilities of their reward-based colleagues—that sometimes they need to use aversive methods.

Jamie DeLeeuw, Ph.D., of Community Research Plus and first author of the study, told me in an email,

“What we would most want ordinary dog guardians to take away is that training is not just about stopping behavior—it is about understanding what dogs are communicating and supporting the relationship they have with the people who care for them. “One of the most heartening things we found was that, even in a polarized field, the certification-affiliated trainers we interviewed shared important common ground around canine welfare, owner education, and the value of positive reinforcement. At the same time, owners are often trying to make decisions in a confusing and largely unregulated field, where trainers may make very different claims about what is humane or effective. “For dog guardians, I think the key is to be wary of quick fixes and to look for a trainer who........

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