I want to dive into a controversial topic. The world of aversive training versus force-free training. I chose force-free dog training and in this blog I’ll tell you the reasons why and explain why you should too.
Definitions
First things first, let’s break down what these terms mean. Aversive training is like that strict teacher you had in school who always used punishment to keep the class in line. It relies on unpleasant stimuli to discourage unwanted behaviours. On the other hand, force-free training is more like that cool teacher who made learning fun and rewarding. It focuses on positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviours.
Carrots and sticks
To be honest, I started out as a “balanced” trainer. I used to use a mixture of aversive and positive reinforcement training techniques. We’ve all heard it – the carrot and the stick. But does that kind of training actually work? Well, the science and my own personal experience says that it can cause more harm than good, and at the MASSIVE expense of your relationship with your dog. I’m not prepared to sacrifice my relationship with my dogs anymore. I want them to be with me, train with me, and snuggle with me because they want to, not because they’ve been compelled to. Ever heard “be a leader”, or “you’ve got to be the boss”? Now, you might really like your boss, but if they pull rank on you and demand that you do something that you don’t want to do then you’ve got a problem.
I’m now what’s referred to in the dog training world as a “cross-over” trainer. As I learned more about psychology and behaviour I realised that I wasn’t helping dogs and their guardians learn. I was bullying them and insisting that they train my way, with no adjustments for the human or the dog: what emotional state they might be in, what experiences they have experienced, or what skills each member of the human/dog team have. So I crossed over from balanced to force-free.
Would you prefer the lolly or the zap?
Going back to the boss analogy. Imagine you’re at work, and every time you make a mistake, your boss zaps you with a tiny electric shock. Ouch! That’s essentially what aversive training does to dogs. Shock collars, prong collars, choke chains, and verbal punishment are all tools in the aversive trainer’s arsenal. Sure, it might stop the behaviour in the moment, but at what cost? Your dog might stop pulling on the leash, but they might also start associating walks (or worse, you) with pain and fear. Talk about throwing the ball out with the slobber!
On the flip side, force-free training is like getting a gold star and a lolly for a job well done. Who wouldn’t want to keep doing good things if that was the result? With force-free methods, we use food, praise, and play to reward the behaviours we want to see more of. It’s like being the Oprah of dog training – “You get a treat! You get a treat! Everybody gets a treat!” (Okay, maybe not everybody, but you get the idea.). This is why I chose force-free dog training. I want everyone to get the treats.
Let me give you a real-life example. My dog, Stan Doggo Lee, is really noise sensitive due to being unilaterally deaf. I used to have to go and open the front door and show him that there’s no-one there because he’d go off like a frog in a sock. With aversive training, I might have shouted at him or used a water spray (or worse still, a citronella spray) to stop his barking. Instead, I used force-free methods. Every time he alert barks to something he can (or thinks he can) hear I ask him to go to his mat and he gets a reward once he’s in place. He’s starting to figure out that he can bark a few times before running to his mat for his reward. No yelling. No spraying.
Relationships are important
But why is force-free better? Well, besides the fact that it doesn’t involve inflicting pain or fear on your best friend, it also builds a stronger bond between you and your dog. Your pup learns to trust you and looks forward to training sessions. It’s like you’re building a friendship instead of a dictatorship. Plus, it’s more effective in the long run. Dogs trained with force-free methods are more likely to retain their training and be happier overall.
Now, I know what some of you might be thinking. “But what about really tough cases? Surely some dogs need a firmer hand?” To that, I say: even the toughest nuts can be cracked with patience and positive reinforcement. Beware any trainer who offers you a quick fix. They’re likely unqualified or outdated. Quick fixes supress your dog’s emotions. The don’t help them have an appropriate response instead. If you want a dog who’s well trained, happy, confident, and trusts you implicitly, force-free is the way to go.
So, next time you’re thinking about dog training, remember: treats, not threats. Your dog will thank you, and you’ll have a furry best friend who thinks you’re the best thing since sliced cheese (which, coincidentally, also makes a great training treat).
So now you know why I chose force-free dog training. I hope that you do too. Happy training.
Game On! Let’s Play!
Hxx
P.S. Are you looking at booking you and your pup in for Puppy Academy, Teenage FUNdamentals, or an In-home Consultation? You can find all my booking links on my Services page.
P.P.S. Not in my area and want to find a force-free dog trainer? Find a professional on the PPGA website.
