Aversive Dog Training: Separating Fact from Fiction

Aversive dog training methods have been widely criticized for their potential harm to dogs. Aversive training methods can cause physical and emotional distress to dogs, as seen in the use of shock collars, which can lead to anxiety, fear, and aggression.

Some trainers claim that aversive methods are effective, but research suggests otherwise. A study found that dogs trained using positive reinforcement methods outperformed those trained using aversive methods in obedience tasks.

The use of physical punishment, such as hitting or yelling, is a classic example of aversive training. This approach can damage the human-dog bond and create a culture of fear in the household.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) has taken a stance against aversive training methods, recommending instead the use of positive reinforcement techniques.

Intriguing read: What Is Positive Reinforcement Dog Training

Aversive training is a method of dog training that uses unpleasant or painful experiences to teach dogs what not to do.

An aversive is essentially something the trainer does to the dog when it misbehaves, such as an electric shock, unpleasant spray, or physical punishment like hanging or choking.

The use of punishment in dog training is associated with the dominance or "pack" theory, which suggests trainers physically correct dogs with unpleasant outcomes for their actions.

Trainers who use aversives often claim it's a science-based approach, citing the four quadrants of operant conditioning as justification.

William Koehler, a well-known dog trainer, used extreme methods of punishing dogs for disobedience, including hanging a dog by a choke lead until it's unconscious.

Koehler's methods are still practiced by some trainers today, including those who train police or military K-9s.

Trainers who incorporate aversives may use a range of tools, including prong collars, shock collars, choke chains, thrown objects, loud noise makers, and unpleasant sprays.

These methods can be physically and emotionally distressing for dogs, and many experts consider them to be inhumane.

Additional reading: Why Use a Clicker for Dog Training

The use of physical punishment, intimidation, and aversive measures in dog training isn't necessary, or any more effective than positive training methods (Ziv, 2017).

Punishment-based training actually increases a dog's fear of their owners. Studies have shown that it affects a dog's social behaviors and overall trust of humans, making them more resistant to training (Rooney & Cowan, 2011).

Dogs trained in an environment that incorporates aversives will be more stressed in training and resist taking part in it, due to their anticipation of physical pain and discomfort. Their stress levels and anxiety during training are notably higher than dogs trained with positive methods.

Dogs trained with punishments tend to avoid their owners and be less attentive to them than dogs trained with positive reinforcements (Deidalle and Gaunet, 2014).

Additional reading: Positive Dog Training

Punishment Provokes Aggression is a common claim made against aversive dog training. Aggression responses are not exclusive to punishment, they can also occur with positive reinforcement, such as when fading out food.

Aversives are often misunderstood, but they're not inherently aggressive. In fact, dogs can learn to successfully escape aversives and even develop a resistance to them.

The key to avoiding learned helplessness is proper pre-training. This allows dogs to learn how to avoid aversives, rather than becoming overwhelmed by them.

Aversives are not a one-size-fits-all solution, and their use requires careful consideration. However, when used correctly, they can be an effective tool in dog training.

Worth a look: All about Dogs Dog Training

Punishment is often misunderstood as a way to teach dogs new behaviors, but that's not its purpose. Punishment is used to reduce and extinguish behaviors.

Punishment is not meant to be a substitute for positive reinforcement training methods, which are designed to teach desired behaviors.

In fact, punishment can even interfere with a dog's ability to learn new behaviors, making it a less effective training tool overall.

The force-free community often relies on studies based on surveys and questionnaires, which can't be peer-reviewed like scientific experiments. These results are essentially guesses and assumptions.

Surveys and questionnaires can't be retested or reproduced, and asking the same people the same questions twice wouldn't make much sense. Anyone who's followed an election poll knows that surveys are just educated guesses.

In fact, many people interpret questions differently, making the results suspect. The way a question is asked can even change the answers. There are many reasons surveys and questionnaires aren't worth much.

If any force-free trainer could directly contradict the findings that surveys and questionnaires are unreliable, they would have done so by now. But they haven't been able to, in over 50 years. That alone makes it pretty obvious where the truth lies.

Reward-based training methods have been shown to produce higher obedience levels in dogs. This is in contrast to aversive-based methods, which can actually impair a dog's ability to learn new tasks.

Punishment is not meant to teach dogs new behaviors, but to reduce and extinguish unwanted ones. This is the primary purpose of punishment, and it's not a replacement for positive reinforcement techniques like clicker training or reward-based learning.

Punishment is often misunderstood, but it's not about teaching dogs what to do instead of a problem behavior. That's what positive reinforcement is for, and it's a more effective way to teach new skills.

Punishment is a tool that should be used carefully and with clear boundaries, just like any other training method. By understanding its limitations and proper use, we can create a more effective and humane training plan for our dogs.

Using a choke chain is an example of aversive dog training, and it's a method that's still part of Operant Conditioning Theory.

Aversive methods like hitting your dog, shouting at them, or yanking their lead are also ineffective and can be damaging to your relationship with your dog.

Spraying water in your dog's face, like with a citronella collar, is another technique that's still used today, but it's not a happy or healthy way to train your dog.

Using electric shock collars, which spray citronella in your dog's face when they bark, is also an aversive method that's linked to negative outcomes.

Saying "no" or "ah-ah" might seem like a gentle correction, but it's still a form of aversive training that can make your dog feel uncomfortable or anxious.

Dogs trained with aversive methods are three times more likely to bite than those trained using rewards, according to recent research.

Consider reading: Can Chihuahuas Be Trained

Using a clicker to mark desired behavior can be an effective way to train your dog without causing undue stress. This method is based on the idea that a distinct sound will help your dog associate the desired action with a reward.

Aversive training methods like punishment and negative reinforcement can actually do more harm than good, making your dog more anxious and fearful. This can lead to a breakdown in the training process.

In contrast, least intrusive methods focus on rewarding desired behavior, rather than punishing undesired actions. By doing so, you can create a positive and stress-free learning environment for your dog.

Here's an interesting read: Behavior Modification Dog Training

One of the key principles of least intrusive methods is to use high-value rewards, such as treats or praise, to motivate your dog. This will help to strengthen the bond between you and your dog, making training a more enjoyable experience for both of you.

By using the least intrusive methods, you can avoid causing unnecessary stress and anxiety in your dog, ultimately leading to a more successful and enjoyable training experience.