Risks of Punishment-Based Training

Punishment Based Training - Is it worth the risk?

There are many reasons why I choose positive training methods.

In my opinion, there is far too much risk associated with punishment-based/coercive/aversive methods.

I am not here to judge choices. I am here to teach. To learn. To grow. And to follow my own personal principles.

Look, punishment based methods wouldn't be around if they didn't work. When they do work, there is a lot of reinforcement for the one who applied it, so they stick. The animal listened and isn't that the ultimate goal? Maybe

I am here today to tell you about the risks that I often see around training methods that include physical corrections, alpha rolls, verbal corrections, prong collar corrections, coercion, and the like. 
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Before you continue - please remember: In reading/responding to this post - please choose kindness and empathy - not judgment

We are here to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with others in the field, not head-to-head, toward the same goal. 

Risk: Avoidance/Escape 

Your dog is likely to shut down or move away in an attempt to avoid punishment, based on his learning history, which may cause a temptation for more punishment. The cycle may continue or move to Learned Helplessness

Risk: Learned Helplessness

An extreme form of apathy, this is when your dog gives up on showing any responses because he has learned that he "can't do anything right"

Risk: Injury

​Using coercive methods and physical punishment can cause unintended injury to the dog. 
Neck injuries, injuries that happen because of one of the other risks - like a dog who runs away, into a dangerous place, a dog who jumps from a high place, and so much more!

Risk: Learned Aggression

Your dog may act out aggressively, as a learned behavior or to protect himself, in anticipation of the possibility of punishment. Dogs are smart animals. It doesn't take long for them to put two and two together. They may learn to act out defensively before you even have a chance to correct anything

Risk: Redirected Aggression

Your dog may redirect aggression to someone else in the environment out of fear/frustration. This is a really common one and is a form of displacement of stress. They can take out their frustration on other dogs, cats, kids, visitors, etc

Risk: Addiction to Control

​When punishment does work to control a behavior, it can be addicting to the one who applies it, causing more and more of it over time. It can even play out in other parts of life - marriage, work, other relationships...

Is it worth the risk?

Instead...

• Build your relationship and your dog's trust in you by:
  
• Understanding your dog
  
• Communicating clearly and consistently
  
• Reinforcing the good stuff
  
• Redirecting the not so good stuff
  
• & by Setting the environment up for success

Like these ideas? Join me over in the Miss Behavior Membership to keep learning!