According to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), evidence supports the use of reward-based methods for all canine training. AVSAB promotes interactions with animals based on compassion, respect, and scientific evidence. Furthermore, the Joint Standards of Practice in Dog Training has promoted science-based, humane, and ethical practices across the profession since 2018.

Reward-based learning offers the most advantages and least harm to the learner’s welfare. Research supports the efficacy of reward-based training in addressing unwanted and challenging behaviors.

There is no evidence that aversive training of any kind is necessary for dog training or behavior modification.

Additionally, studies have shown strong correlation between the use of aversive training and long-term behavior challenges like:

• aggressive behavior towards people and other dogs, and

• anxiety related behaviors like avoidance and excitability.

Teaching with punishment inhibits relationships and makes it more difficult to identify pain in dogs. The risks associated with punishment far outweigh the benefits when we can achieve better results with positive reinforcement and welfare based training.

At Spot On Dog Training, I’m committed to using reward-based methods and humane training with every single dog I encounter. I will never use or recommend aversive collars like shock or "e" collars, beeping or spraying collars, slip leads, choke chains, or prong collars. I do not engage in or endorse yelling, hitting, or any kind of purposeful harm to a dog's physical or emotional welfare.

Click here for the AVSAB’s full position statement on Humane Dog Training. Click here to read the 2025 Joint Standards of Practice.