Is the Method of Dog Training Important? The Impact of Challenging Training Methods on Health
When looking for information on how to train a dog, it seems like the possibilities are endless. Aversive training methods are responsible for many of the most striking videos showcasing remarkable behavioral changes. This shift in behavior, along with the associated techniques, piques the interest of many pet owners. Furthermore, the media has promoted the notion that dominance is necessary for training a dog to obey and has popularized harsh training methods. This leads some people to think that these harsh methods are needed to establish dominance in the home for their dog. The approaches are marketed as essential and all-natural. Many of the products on the market claim to be simple to use and to alter a dog’s behavior instantly, with little to no long-term impact. The unintended consequences of these procedures, which pet owners are unaware of, are detrimental.
Looking sideways, a golden retriever and a lab mix
I presented facts contradicting the alpha myth idea and disproved “the alpha dog myth” in my earlier blog post. In this blog post, I will review the pros and cons of some popular aversive training methods. Finally, I will review several ethical strategies to influence a dog’s behavior, including positive reinforcement, even when dealing with aggressive behavior.
Standard Forms of Punitive Training
Some examples of aversive training methods include physical punishment (such as striking or kicking), the use of chains or ropes, the alpha roll, and electronic collars. To make matters worse, these techniques are employed to instill compliance and address behavioral issues. Two of the most popular and divisive forms of unpleasant training are the alpha roll and shock.
Portrait of a German Shepherd on a chain leash
One reason shock collars are so well-liked is the dramatic shift in behavior they may bring about in a relatively short period. You can train your dog from a distance with a shock collar, which is another perk for those folks who prefer this method. Electronic collars are a standard tool for training dogs to heel and recall when not on a leash. After witnessing the powerful results of shock, some people start using it to correct bad habits, such as jumping, chewing, or playbiting.
Shock is a last resort for many pet owners when other ways of treating problematic behaviors have failed. Shock has numerous unanticipated and cumulative adverse effects, which these pet owners are often unaware of. Even if the problematic behavior wasn’t there to begin with, these side effects will likely be there for a very long time.
One of the main arguments I make against shock as a CAAB is that it has the potential to provoke violent conduct. Shock can cause aggressive behavior in dogs and other animals, according to research. Polsky claims that electric shocks can cause aggressive behavior in dogs, including biting. Another study, conducted by Azrin et al., showed that when a target was provided, rats and monkeys exhibited a biting-attack reaction in response to shock techniques. A correlation between the frequency and length of shocks and assaults was also found. While not universally applicable, these results do have broad applicability.
Angry barking and lunging from a dog with its fangs bared
Some violent behavior has been reduced through the application of shock. Not only does this effectively penalize the dog for less obvious indicators of hostility, but it also teaches it the wrong association—for example, that other dogs or people equal shock. According to the research conducted by Azrin et al., bites now appear to come out of nowhere, and the subtle indicators of hostility have vanished. The victims of the bite get a severe bite without any warning.
As a dog trainer with nearly 20 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how the use of shock can lead to aggressive behavior in some dogs. So, the dog associates the sensation of being shocked with other things in its surroundings, such as other dogs, humans, or even its owner or the sound of an obedience command, thanks to the process of learning by association. Upon encountering the stimuli, which is now unpleasant, they exhibit violent behavior.
One day, a pet parent called me because their dog had attacked them the moment he heard the “sit” command. There was a history of shocking the dog whenever it disobeyed the sit command. Once again, as I walked in the front door of a house, the dog snapped at me. The pet owner had previously discussed the use of a handheld shock collar with the pet’s owner to curb the welcoming behavior of jumping on visitors at the door. On the other hand, dogs can develop a phobia of the location where they were shocked. For example, toilet training could become a living nightmare if a dog develops a fear of going outside after being shocked.
Physically Aggressive Manipulation and the Alpha Roll
Some dog owners believe in the power of the alpha roll, which entails piling their dog to the ground and rolling them onto their back as a punishment for growling or disobedience. When compared to dogs with other behavioral difficulties, those displaying aggressive behavior towards familiar persons (e.g., barking at their owner) were more likely to react aggressively to aversive training techniques, such as the alpha roll (Herron et al., 2009).
Back alpha roll with a husky
Sourced from Shiba Shake
The alpha roll can be harmful and outdated. Published in 1978 by the lauded dog trainers, the Monks of New Skete, “How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend” was the first book to promote it. The authors vehemently opposed the alpha roll in the 2002 revised edition of the book after hearing from pet owners who had angry reactions to it.
Based on their personality, past behavior, and genetics, certain dogs may appear to be punished when they do the alpha roll. The alpha roll may elicit vastly different responses from a 6-year-old rescue mastiff who has endured trauma and abuse than from a 12-week-old golden retriever who exhibits no behavioral problems. Due to their youth and responsiveness to fear, golden retrievers often turn over onto their backs without much opposition or dread. In contrast, mastiffs may become violent as a protective mechanism, driven by their fear.
If you value your relationship with your dog, it is not worth the risk to use the alpha roll. Using behavior modification, there are several alternatives to frightening your dog into submission.
Effects of Negative Training on Health
Anxiety training methods, such as the alpha roll and shock collars, can harm your dog physically and mentally. Aversive training methods, including physical manipulation tactics such as the alpha roll, snarling, and punching or kicking your dog, are associated with the highest frequency of hostility in dogs, according to research (Herron et al., 2009).
Aversive training methods are associated with poor well-being in dogs and may even exacerbate hostility. Fuchs et al. (2020) found that dogs’ welfare is negatively impacted by aversive-based training methods, both during and after training. More anxious body language and behaviors were seen in dogs trained using an unpleasant approach in this study. Additionally, their cortisol levels were higher after the workout. There appears to be a correlation between the quantity of unpleasant training and stress levels, suggesting that the frequency of training impacts well-being.
Brown canine drooling
A 2021 study by Casey et al. provided further evidence that negative reinforcement techniques can lead to diminished happiness. This study indicated that compared to dogs trained using positive reinforcement, dogs treated using unpleasant methods exhibited a higher negative mood state. One possible explanation is that this is similar to how people who are sad tend to interpret confusing information more negatively. We strive for our canine companions to be not just healthy and content, but also model citizens. To achieve this goal, we should train our canines using positive reinforcement methods and refrain from using negative reinforcement.
A dog’s general health can take a serious hit from shock. Canines suffer greatly from electric shock, say Schilder et al. The presence of an owner can be detrimental to a dog’s well-being if the dog associates the shock with the owner, which can happen if the owner shocks their dog. When a collar stops working due to technological issues, or even worse, when a handheld remote is used, mistakes are likely to occur. Then, dogs develop generalized anxiety disorder after being stunned apparently at random.
Kaptejin discovered in a recent article from 2020 that shock can rapidly induce anxiety or psychological trauma, and that prolonged use can lead to generalized anxiety and an overly terrified dog. In dogs whose aggressive behavior is already fueled by fear and worry, adding shock to the mix might prolong these unpleasant mood states, leading to even more violent behavior.
Shock collars and the alpha roll should not be used due to their adverse side effects. The good news is that these horrible side effects aren’t necessary when using positive reinforcement and classical conditioning, two superior ways of dog training. Indeed, compared to dogs trained using positive reinforcement, e-collar-trained dogs displayed higher behavioral indicators of stress (Cooper et al., 2014). In an even more intriguing development, the effectiveness of training was not affected when dogs were trained using positive reward or e-collars. Considering being, this suggests e-collars are not an improvement over positive reinforcement in terms of training.
The Use of Punishment in Behavior Modification: How Effective Is It?
When it comes to correcting problematic behaviors and teaching compliance, I have found that classical conditioning and positive reinforcement are just as successful, if not more so. Both empirical evidence and theoretical considerations lend credence to this. On a battery of obedience tests, dogs trained mainly with positive reinforcement outperformed their punishment-based counterparts (Hilby et al., 2004).
Furthermore, compared to dogs trained mostly with positive reinforcement, those whose training centered around punishment were significantly more likely to exhibit fear-related behavior in the future (Blackwell et al., 2007). Based on what Kapteijn has said, behavior modification training can help your dog’s relationship with you, decrease behavioral problems, and teach advanced obedience.
Classical conditioning and positive reinforcement are the scientific cornerstones of our training approaches. The gold standard for dealing with aggressive behavior in dogs is behavior modification. We are here to help if you have experienced frustration with your dog’s aggressive or fearful behavior, or if you have attempted training your dog on your own and are feeling overwhelmed. If you are interested in learning more about the training methods and behaviors we treat here at Beyond the Dog, feel free to schedule a free consultation with us now. Additionally, you can peruse my previous blogs on dog behavior.
