Dog Training Tools to Avoid

A training tool is not neutral. How it works determines how your dog experiences training. Tools that rely on discomfort teach the dog to avoid the discomfort, but not necessarily to understand what you want. They can also create associations: a dog who is corrected when seeing another dog may come to fear other dogs.

Research on aversive methods suggests that they can increase stress and fear, and are associated with more behavior problems, compared with reward-based methods. Professional bodies in veterinary and behavior fields generally recommend reward-based approaches.

The tools below are commonly sold and used, but they carry risks. Many veterinarians and behaviorists advise against them.

• Shock (electronic) collars: deliver an electric stimulus, and can cause pain, fear, and anxiety.
• Prong (pinch) collars: metal prongs press into the neck, and can cause injury and stress.
• Choke chains and slip collars: tighten around the neck, risking damage to the throat and spine.
• Spray collars: spray citronella or other irritants, and can cause stress.
• Bark-suppression devices that use shock or ultrasonic sounds.
• Retractable leashes: not painful, but they can teach pulling, reduce control, and cause injuries.

Note: If your dog already wears one of these, you do not need to panic. Talk to a qualified trainer or vet about switching to a more humane approach.

Aversive tools can suppress behavior without changing the cause. A dog who is shocked for barking at visitors may stop barking, but remain fearful, and may bite later without warning. A dog who is jerked on a prong collar when pulling toward another dog may learn that dogs predict pain, making reactivity worse.

They also damage trust. Dogs who experience pain from a handler may become wary, anxious, or defensive. And the effects depend on perfect timing and consistent use, which is hard for most owners.

You can train effectively without pain or fear. A few simple tools are enough.

• A well-fitted harness, with a front or back clip, for walking.
• A flat collar with ID tags.
• A standard leash of four to six feet, and a long line for recall practice.
• Treats, toys, and praise as rewards.
• A clicker or marker word, to communicate the exact moment of success.
• A mat, crate, or pen for management and rest.
• Puzzle toys and chews for enrichment.

Most problems that lead owners to harsh tools have effective, kind solutions. For pulling, teach loose-leash walking with rewards, and use a front-clip harness for support. For barking, meet exercise needs, manage triggers, and teach a quiet cue. For jumping, reward four paws on the floor, and teach a sit for greetings. For recall, build a strong foundation with high-value rewards and a long line.

1. Identify the cause of the behavior.
2. Manage the environment to prevent practice of the unwanted behavior.
3. Teach and reward the behavior you want.
4. Increase difficulty gradually, with distractions.
5. Be patient and consistent.
6. Ask a qualified, reward-based trainer for help if you are stuck.

Ask potential trainers what tools and methods they use. Avoid anyone who recommends shock, prong, or choke collars, or who talks about dominance, alpha rolls, or punishment as the main approach. Look for credentials from reputable organizations, and for trainers who explain their methods, and let you observe. A good trainer will help you understand your dog, and give you a plan you feel comfortable with.

Your dog depends on you to make good choices. Choosing humane tools and methods protects them, and builds a partnership based on trust.

Many professional bodies in veterinary medicine and animal behavior recommend reward-based training, and advise against aversive tools. Studies have found that dogs trained with aversive methods show more stress behaviors, and that such methods are linked to more behavior problems. This does not mean that every dog trained this way is harmed, but it means that the risks are real, and the benefits are not greater than those of kind methods. When there is an equally effective, safer option, it makes sense to choose it.

Many owners have used harsh tools on the advice of others, and feel guilty. Do not blame yourself. Stop using the tool, and replace it with a comfortable harness or collar. Start rebuilding trust with rewards, and go slowly. Speak to a qualified, reward-based trainer, who can help to rebuild skills, and address any fear or reactivity. Dogs are forgiving, and many recover quickly with kinder methods.

Every problem has a humane approach.

• Pulling: front-clip harness, loose-leash training, and rewards for position.
• Barking: manage triggers, teach quiet, and meet exercise needs.
• Jumping: reward four paws on the floor, and ignore jumping.
• Recall: a long line, high-value rewards, and games.
• Chewing: provide appropriate chews, and manage the environment.
• Aggression: seek professional help, and avoid punishment.