Punishment in dog training: What’s the risk?
(With sited studies!)
With so many options for training tools out there, how can you know what’s best for you?
Punishment in dog training is a controversial topic, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate. Some people believe that punishment is an effective way to train dogs, while others believe that it is cruel and counterproductive.
As a dog trainer who has been in the business for quite some time, I have heard many trainers speak about why they decide to use a “balanced” approach and think a careful use of punishment can be an effective tool in dog training. But I have also worked with many clients who have used a “balanced” approach, as well as many clients who have used only a positive-based approach. If some trainers and clients have observed some success with using punishment, how can we know if it’s really that bad to use at all?
Analyze the tools you are using to train your dog!
Picture provided by freepik.
A great way to analyze the tools you are using in training is to analyze the risk, or the potential for risks, if you use them. Whether your tools are treats, a leash, an e collar, or praise, everything you use to communicate with your dog should be analyzed for their safety, risks, and effectiveness.
My intent with this blog is to demonstrate some of the potential risks of using punishment, as well as highlight some common phrases used to rationalize the use of punishment or training via training collars. If you are someone who uses (or has used in the past) training tools like prong collars or e collars, or have been taught to use other aversive techniques like throwing water balloons, yelling phrases, or using leash pops, you deserve to be fully informed about what you are using, and how it works.
But most of all, your dog deserves training that is fully informed, aware of all potential risks, safe, AND effective.
Those who advocate for punishment-based or “balanced” training often argue that it is the most effective way to deter unwanted behaviors. They believe that dogs are more likely to remember and avoid behaviors that have been associated with pain or discomfort. However, studies have shown that punishment can actually be counterproductive, leading to increased fear, aggression, anxiety, and stress in dogs, even outside of training sessions. {Herron, Meghan E., Frances S. Shofer, and Ilana R. Reisner. “Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science 117, no. 1-2 (2009): 47-54.} {Casey et al.Casey, Rachel A., Bethany Loftus, Christine Bolster, Gemma J. Richards, and Emily J. Blackwell. “Human directed aggression in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): Occurrence in different contexts and risk factors.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science 152 (2014): 52-63.} {Schilder, Matthijs BH, and Joanne AM Van der Borg. “Training dogs with help of the shock collar: short and long term behavioural effects.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science 85, no. 3-4 (2004): 319-334. }
Punishment can also damage the bond between a dog and its owner. When a dog is punished, it may come to associate its owner with pain and fear, especially when within the contact of a training session such as a walk down the street. This can make it difficult for the owner to train the dog and build a trusting relationship.
At some point your dog may be put in a situation where the previous level of punishment is not working, so you then have to increase the level of aversiveness or pain that you are uncomfortable with, just to interrupt an unwanted behavior.
In addition to the potential risks, there are also a number of ethical concerns associated with punishment-based training. Using methods that fall under the categories of “positive punishment” or “negative reinforcement” can jeopardize both the mental and physical health of dogs. {Ziv, Gal. “The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs—A review.” Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 19 (2017): 50-60.} {J. J. Cooper, N. Cracknell, J. Hardiman, H. Wright, D. Mills. Open Source version of the DEFRA studies above. 2014.} {Cooper, Jonathan, Nina Cracknell, Jessica Hardiman, and Daniel Mills. “Studies to assess the effect of pet training aids, specifically remote static pulse systems, on the welfare of domestic dogs: field study of dogs in training.” (2013). Government report: DEFRA AW1402a.}
If there are ways to help EVERY behavior problem without the use of aversive tools, then why use aversive tools in the first place? Just because you or whoever you are learning from is unaware of how to do that, does not mean it is not possible. There is always a humane and effective way to train dogs. In fact, studies have shown that using positive-based training methods are even more effective than methods that involve punishment and dogs are shown to have fewer behavioral problems if positive-based methods were used. {Blackwell, Emily J., Caroline Twells, Anne Seawright, and Rachel A. Casey. “The relationship between training methods and the occurrence of behavior problems, as reported by owners, in a population of domestic dogs.” Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research 3, no. 5 (2008): 207-217.}
Overall, when it comes to using punishments and corrections, there is no doubt that there are risks involved. And because there are risks, there is a lot of misleading misinformation out there to help sell it.
Here are 4 common misleading claims:
“This is just communication” or “its just a tap on the shoulder” or “its a reminder”
These expressions are merely euphemisms that lack clarity about the underlying processes, communication methods, and learning outcomes for the dog. It's important to recognize that if a "stimulus" (aversive tool or correction) is expected to modify behavior, then it must be sufficiently uncomfortable, painful, or unpleasant for the dog to motivate a change in behavior as a means of avoidance. It is important to remember that pain is subjective to the one experiencing it, and the line between discomfort and pain is thin. How can we say for sure that something does not cross the line from discomfort into pain for that individual, if it is uncomfortable enough to be changing their behavior?
“Dogs are used to being picked up by the neck from when their mother picked them up as puppies by the scruff. A small amount of pressure around their neck is fine. It’s what they were built for.” “A dog’s neck is thick, so a stim from their e collar is similar to what humans feel when we use electric pulses in physical therapy.” “Put the stim on your skin and see how it feels. Not too bad, right? So it’s perfectly fine to use on your dog.”
These examples of rationalizing the use of a prong or e collar are extremely misleading. While it is true that mother dogs pick up their puppies by the scruff, this does not mean that dogs are used to being picked up by the neck in general. In fact, most adult dogs find it to be uncomfortable or even painful. This is because the scruff of a puppy's neck is much looser and more elastic than the skin on an adult dog's neck. This means that when an adult dog is picked up by the neck, the pressure is distributed over a smaller area, which can cause pain. Dogs are not built to withstand pressure around their necks. In fact, even a small amount of pressure can cause damage to a dog's neck, including tracheal collapse, nerve damage, and paralysis.
Also, a human’s epidermis is up to 3 times the thickness of a dog’s epidermis, so we can’t rely on our own senses of the collar to prove it is the same as what our dog is feeling. We also need to recognize that when a human chooses to use electronic pulses on their skin, they are consenting to do so and can stop it when they want to. Our dog’s do not have the option to opt-out of the pulses made by an e collar.
“Dogs correct each other.” “its natural” “it exists in nature, so why cant we use it”
This type of logic is called an “appeal to nature”, and suggests that something is good or preferable merely because it exists in nature. However, this argument is flawed, as it ignores the fact that humans have the ability to devise more humane and effective ways to achieve desired outcomes. For instance, while dogs may use corrections to communicate discomfort and set boundaries, their actions are not intentionally aimed at changing the behavior of others. In contrast, when humans employ corrections or punishments, they often do so in a deliberate, systematic, and consistent manner, increasing the risk of negative consequences. This is especially true when it comes to training unnatural, non-instinctive behaviors such as holding the perfect Heel position while on a walk. Therefore, while nature may serve as a source of inspiration, it should not be the sole basis for determining the best course of action, especially when it comes to matters of behavior modification
“I would rather my dog experience a little bit of discomfort than run into the road and get hit by a car”
This type of reasoning presents what is called a “false dichotomy”. It describes the situation as only having two possible outcomes, when in reality there are actually many more possible outcomes. As trainers and dog owners, we can (and do!) create reliable and safe behaviors without the use of any fear, pain, force, or discomfort. And remember, just because you don't know how to achieve a certain goal without it, doesn't mean it can't be done.
If after reading all of this, and you’re still thinking, “what I do with my dog isn’t all of this, it’s just uncomfortable. Not painful.”, then know that even if it is just discomfort being used, it still carries the same risk of fallout as pain does. And it's important to recognize that many times you don't see the fallout of aversive training methods until after you stop using them.
The purpose of this information is not to criticize or judge individuals who employ aversive training techniques. I recognize that dog owners who invest time, money, and patience into training their dogs have the best intentions for them. However, it's crucial for every dog owner to fully understand the methods they’re using, along with their mechanisms and effects. Ultimately, the decision regarding whether or not to incorporate punishment into dog training is personal. If you're considering transitioning away from aversive methods, I'm happy to assist you in doing so. Send a message today telling me what you’d like to work on with your pup!
