Methods:
Why Force Free?
I want to be a predictor of safety and good things.
The science is clear, and dog training is evolving.
We all experience enough stress already- I’m not in the business of adding stress to anyone’s life.
‘Force-free’ is what we’ll strive for. I will never intentionally harm a learner.
The risks of teaching with punishment far outweigh any perceived benefit.
Teaching with any kind or amount of punishment undermines relationships, causes learners stress, AND makes it difficult to identify pain.
Imagine being punished for having a panic attack, not understanding the directions, or being unable to comply because it’s too painful.
Industry Standards
(In an unregulated industry)
Since 2018, the Joint Standards of Practice in Dog Training have promoted science-based, humane, and ethical practices across the profession. In 2021, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) released a Position Statement on Humane Dog Training, recommending that only reward-based training methods be used for all dog training, including the treatment of behavior problems. The AVSAB continues to stand firmly behind the 2021 position statement. In 2025, the AVSAB Board released an addendum to the 2021 statement, emphasizing that AVSAB does not support the use of aversives in any context, regardless of the tools used or the trainer’s level of experience.
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The consequences and fallout from aversive training methods have been proven and are well documented. Animals taught with aversive techniques may be less motivated to engage in training and to interact with human members of their household. There’s a strong correlation between the use of punishment in training and long-term behavior challenges like increased anxiety and fear-related aggression, avoidance, and learned helplessness. If aversive training methods were effective, we’d expect fewer long-term behavior challenges when they’re used. In contrast, dogs trained with reward-based methods have lower rates of behavioral concerns.
I endorse and follow the Humane Hierarchy and the Least Inhibitive, Functionally Effective (LIFE) frameworks for behavior change.
Positive
Reinforcement
Training
Management
Wellness (Mental & Physical Health)
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Tier 1: Wellness
PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH
Address your dog’s health and well-being. Evaluate their physical and mental health, as both significantly impact behavior. Up to 80% of behavior cases have an underlying pain component! Ensure you’re meeting your dog’s needs in the most appropriate, decompressing way for them. Remedy persistent anxiety with the help of prescription medication.
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Tier 2: Management
SET YOUR PET UP FOR SUCCESS
Adjust aspects of the environment that are within your control to set yourself and your dog up for success. Prevent the rehearsal of unwanted behaviors by using gates, leashes, other similar measures, and by avoiding close encounters with triggers.
For example, by keeping your counters clear or by keeping the kitchen gated off, you can prevent accidentally reinforcing (strengthening!) counter-surfing.
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Tier 3: Positive Reinforcement Training
TEACH DESIRED BEHAVIORS
Using reward-based training, teach your learner specifically what you want them to do in different contexts. A dog sees no moral value in their actions- they don’t know what behavior we think is “good” or “bad.”
When a door opens, a dog sees the opportunity to go outside and takes it. They have no concept of ‘manners’! If you want your dog to pause before moving over a threshold, you must teach them to do so.
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Increase Meaningful Choices
The term “least inhibitive” refers to the practice of removing restrictions on choice to improve quality of life. Environmental restrictions, like food deprivation, should not be used to manipulate behavior. To improve meaningful options, we should expand the variety of responses available and increase the range of behaviors.
Achieving success becomes much more challenging when there is only one correct answer! By providing learners with multiple ways to ‘win’ (various pathways to reinforcement), we increase their chances of success. This approach helps to minimize frustration for both the trainer and the learner.
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Identify Behavioral Functions
It is important to collect data based on observations and identify the triggers of a behavior so we can create effective behavior-change plans. All behavior serves a purpose. Generally, dog behavior can be categorized into two main functions: 1) to escape or avoid something unpleasant, or 2) to gain something desirable. By understanding the function behind a behavior, we can teach a dog alternative skills that fulfill the same need as the unwanted behavior.
Dogs evolved to forage and scavenge for their food, eating scraps alongside humans. To curb unwanted behaviors like excessive begging and counter-surfing, teach your dog that they can enjoy a taste of the food they’d like by standing, sitting, or lying on their bed nearby.
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Maximize Training Success
Effectiveness is only one component of success. The impact of training on welfare is also important. Consider other welfare impacts, such as context and human-animal interactions. Training success includes positive welfare during and after training sessions.
While punishment may effectively reduce behaviors such as jumping on people during greetings, it also risks creating negative feelings toward meeting new individuals. Welfare is more important than compliance.