Training Methods and Long-term Dog Welfare

The training methods used on dogs have lasting effects on their emotional welfare; punishment-based methods increase anxiety and aggression while positive reinforcement builds confidence.

Key Facts

Dogs trained with positive reinforcement show lower cortisol levels and more positive behavioural indicators
Punishment during training creates negative associations with the training context and trainer
Electronic shock collars are banned in Wales and Sweden and restricted in many other countries
Dogs that experience physical punishment show increased owner-directed aggression
Professional bodies including the APDT recommend exclusively positive reinforcement methods

Welfare Considerations

Training is one of the most significant determinants of long-term dog welfare because it shapes the emotional and behavioural patterns that a dog carries throughout its life. Dogs trained through punishment — physical corrections, choke chains, shock collars — learn to avoid punishment rather than gaining a positive emotional relationship with training and the trainer. This fear-based learning is associated with higher background anxiety, increased reactivity, and greater risk of fear-motivated aggression. Positive reinforcement training, which rewards desired behaviour and teaches dogs through positive experience, creates dogs that actively engage with training and with their owners, with lasting welfare benefits.

What You Can Do

Choose only trainers accredited by force-free professional bodies for your dog
Oppose the use of aversive training devices on any dog
Advocate for national bans on shock collars and other aversive training tools
Share information about positive training with other dog owners
Support research comparing welfare outcomes of different training methods