The Impact of Negative Training and Force on Animal Behaviour

I'd like to address a significant topic that affects the wellbeing of our animal companions: the impact of negative training methods and the use of force. Understanding how these approaches influence animal behaviour is crucial for fostering a healthy, trusting relationship with our pets.

Understanding Negative Training Methods

Negative training methods involve the use of punishment or force to compel an animal to perform a desired behaviour or to stop an undesired one. These techniques can include physical corrections, harsh verbal reprimands, and the use of aversive tools such as choke chains whips. While these methods might sometimes achieve immediate compliance, they often come at a significant cost to the animal's mental and emotional health.

Animals are very much like humans in that they can suffer with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. Often these anxieties manifest as physical symptoms and that is where the "bad behaviour" stems from. It is important to address this trauma to help your pet heal (feel free to get in touch if you'd like my help!).

Psychological Impact of Negative Training

Research consistently shows that negative training methods can lead to increased fear, anxiety, and stress in animals. A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that dogs trained using aversive techniques displayed more stress-related behaviours and were less engaged in training compared to those trained with positive reinforcement methods.

When animals are subjected to forceful training, they can develop a heightened sense of fear towards their handlers or specific situations, leading to a breakdown in trust. This fear can manifest in many ways, including aggression, withdrawal, or heightened anxiety, making it difficult for the animal to interact normally with their environment or with other animals.

Long-Term Effects on Behaviour

Negative training doesn’t just affect an animal’s emotional state; it can also have long-lasting effects on their behaviour. For example, a study from the University of Pennsylvania revealed that dogs subjected to physical punishment were more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviours compared to those trained with positive reinforcement.

Similarly, in horses, the use of forceful training methods can lead to learned helplessness—a condition where the animal becomes passive and unresponsive due to the belief that they cannot control or escape their situation. This state significantly undermines their ability to respond to future training, as they may no longer trust their ability to influence their environment.

Benefits of Positive Reinforcement

In contrast, positive reinforcement training, which rewards desirable behaviours with treats, praise, or play, has been shown to foster trust, reduce fear, and promote a positive bond between animals and their owners. This method encourages animals to engage actively in the training process and to learn through a system of rewards and encouragement and what's even better is that the praise doesn't always have to come as food - safety can be enough.

A study published in PLOS ONE found that dogs trained with positive reinforcement exhibited fewer stress signals and were more eager to engage in training compared to those trained with negative reinforcement methods. This approach not only helps to build a stronger, more trusting relationship but also leads to more reliable and consistent behaviour. Animals trained with these methods are typically more confident, relaxed, and willing to participate in training sessions, making them better companions overall.

The way we train our pets has a profound impact on their emotional and psychological wellbeing. Negative training methods that rely on punishment and force can lead to fear, anxiety, and behavioural problems, while positive reinforcement builds trust, confidence, and a strong bond between animals and their handlers. By choosing kindness and patience in our approach to training, we can create a more harmonious and fulfilling relationship with our animal companions. It's okay to be different and to do away with training methods that don't sit right with us - forcing an animal to comply does not make you a better pet owner and you're doing a lot of psychological damage in the long term. Patience, trust, stability are the keys to your pet's heart.

If you have any experiences or questions about how traumatic experiences in your pet's past may haunt your own pet, feel free to get in touch for a connection so we can understand the trauma from your pet's perspective. In doing so, we can foster a kinder approach to support their healing and ultimately build a better relationship for both of you.

Shelley 🐾

Feel free to share this post or comment below. Let’s continue the conversation about the best ways to train and care for our animal companions.

References

1. Vieira de Castro, A. C., et al. (2020). Behavioural changes and indicators of poor welfare in domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) trained with aversive-based methods. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 37, 13-20.

2. Herron, M. E., Shofer, F. S., & Reisner, I. R. (2009). Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 117(1-2), 47-54.

3. Hall, C., et al. (2008). Learned helplessness in horses: Effects of a negative reinforcement procedure. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 11(3), 264-272.

4. Hiby, E. F., Rooney, N. J., & Bradshaw, J. W. (2004). Dog training methods: their use, effectiveness and interaction with behaviour and welfare. Animal Welfare, 13(1), 63-69.