Dogs with poor impulse control often end up in shelters or living restricted lives that limit welfare. Positive training approaches that build impulse control from puppyhood improve dogs' ability to enjoy enriched lives.
Impulse control training is a welfare investment that pays dividends across a dog's entire life. Dogs that can wait, leave objects alone, and manage their arousal level can participate in more activities, visit more places, and interact with more people without risk of behavior problems that lead to restriction or punishment. From a welfare perspective, the dog with good impulse control lives a richer life - more off-leash time, more social interaction, more environmental variety - than the dog whose impulsive behavior leads to being kept on a short leash and away from stimulating environments. Teaching impulse control is giving a dog access to a better life.