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A new position statement released by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) warns veterinary professionals about the use of punishment-based dog training techniques, which can cause serious behavioral problems.

“For the general public, punishment can be defined as the use of force/aversion, coercion, or physical corrections in order to change an animal’s behavior,” said Sophia Yin, DVM, MS, director of media relations for the AVSAB. The scientific definition of punishment, which is included in the position statement, is different, she added.

Although many books written in the last decade focus on positive reinforcement, a television show titled “The Dog Whisperer” (Cesar Millan) has stoked the popularity of the punishment-based method, which veterinary specialists call outdated and — at times — dangerous for pets and their owners. Short televised segments can mislead pet owners about the time investment required for effective behavior modifications, said Yin, who added that inconsistent reactions from pet owners can exacerbate anxiety in dogs, which may lead to aggression.

“When people focus just on stopping the problem, they are just trying to put fires out,” she said. “They are failing to address the fact that the reason the pet engages in these behaviors is that the behaviors have been inadvertently rewarded.”

By issuing the position statement, behavior specialists hope private practitioners will warn clients about punishment-based approaches and refer them to credentialed professionals who can address root causes for behavior problems and suggest effective solutions.
Instead of yelling at dogs, holding them down in an “alpha roll,” or using choke chains or pinch collars, Yin and the AVSAB suggest taking a holistic perspective to the issue. “A more appropriate approach is to determine how the pet is being rewarded for the bad behavior, remove that reward and control the environment, and reward a more appropriate behavior.”

While punishment-based approaches may seem to work — especially on half-hour televised and staged segments — they can cause long-term repercussions for pet and owner.

“…the techniques force the dog to mask the behavior while the dog becomes more anxious,” Yin said. As a result, “many dogs are likely to get worse/more aggressive in the future.”

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) is a group of veterinarians and research professionals who share an interest in understanding behavior in animals. AVSAB is committed to improving the quality of life of all animals and strengthening the bond between animals and their owners.