Punishment and Aversives
When it comes to training your dog, it’s important to use methods that build trust, promote learning, and help your dog feel confident. While punishment and aversive techniques were once common in dog training, research shows that these methods can have harmful consequences.
What Is a Punishment?
Punishment in dog training is a consequence that makes our dogs less likely to repeat a behavior. Punishment doesn't always mean harm or cruelty — it simply means reducing or stopping a behavior. However, the type of punishment used can affect a dog's emotional state and relationship with the owner.
There are two main types of punishment:
Using an aversive (something our dog dislikes and wants to avoid). We do not recommend using aversives in training.
Taking away something our dog likes as a consequence, such as removing your attention when a dog jumps on you. This can be a part of a training plan, but it shouldn’t be the only technique you use. Talk to a trainer if you have questions!
What are Aversives?
Aversives are used to stop behaviors through fear, discomfort, or pain. They can be physical, verbal, or environmental. Aversives often increase fear, anxiety, and aggression in dogs.
Aversives can include yelling, shouting “no,” harsh tone corrections, using objects like spray bottles, shake cans, noise aversion tools (e.g., air horns), and tools like prong collars, choke chains, or shock collars.
Why We Avoid Aversives
They Suppress Behavior Without Teaching Alternatives
Aversives may stop a behavior temporarily, but it doesn’t teach your dog what you want them to do instead. For example, if your dog jumps up to greet people, yelling at them might make them stop in the moment, but it doesn’t teach them that sitting politely is a better option.
Dogs learn best when they are shown what to do rather than just what not to do.
They Damage the Human-Dog Bond
Dogs thrive on trust and positive interactions with their humans. When aversives are used, dogs may become fearful of their owner. This fear can lead to avoidance, lack of engagement, and even aggression.
A strong bond based on trust and mutual respect is the foundation of effective training.
They Can Increase Fear, Anxiety, and Aggression
Punishment can cause dogs to associate fear and anxiety with certain situations, people, or environments. This can lead to behavioral issues such as:
Reactivity: Barking or lunging at people, dogs, or objects
Fear-based aggression: Lashing out when scared
Anxiety: Avoidance, pacing, whining, or destructive behavior
For example:
If a dog is punished for barking at a stranger, they may associate the punishment with the stranger, rather than their barking. This can make the dog more fearful or reactive toward people!
If you punish a dog for growling, the dog may stop growling, but they will still feel uncomfortable or scared. Without the growl as a warning, the dog may skip straight to biting when they feel threatened.
Resources:
Humane Training Position Statement- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists (AVSAB)
Use of Punishment in Dog Training- Zazie Todd, Companion Animal Psychology