Decades of behavioral science research have clarified which dog training methods are most effective and most humane. The evidence strongly favors positive reinforcement-based approaches.
The scientific case for positive reinforcement-based dog training is now well established. Studies consistently show that dogs trained with aversive methods perform no better on learned tasks while showing significantly more fear, stress, and aggression. The once-popular dominance theory — the idea that dogs are constantly trying to achieve "alpha" status and must be dominated — has been thoroughly discredited by modern ethology. Wolf packs studied in the wild do not operate through constant dominance contests; family units are cooperative. Yet dominance-based training methods persist in popular culture and cause ongoing welfare harm to millions of dogs. The welfare and effectiveness argument for positive reinforcement training is the same argument, not a trade-off. Kinder methods produce better dogs.