What Dog Trainers’ Change of Mind Means for Your Dog
A new look at why some trainers stopped using corrections offers practical lessons for training at home and choosing professional help.
When a dog pulls on the leash or ignores a cue, it is tempting to look for a way to stop the behavior immediately. A recent study of dog trainers points toward a more useful question: What would you like the dog to do instead, and how can you make that choice easier to learn?
What the trainers said
Researchers interviewed 35 U.S. trainers: 17 who used reward-based methods and 18 who combined rewards with methods such as leash corrections or other aversives. All participants were current or former users of aversive techniques. Both groups said they cared about dogs’ well-being, valued teaching owners, and used positive reinforcement frequently. Their views differed on whether aversive methods were justified and on how much weight to give published research versus hands-on experience. Trainers who had moved away from aversives described growing empathy for dogs and greater exposure to reward-based training as reasons for changing. These interviews help explain trainers’ thinking; they do not measure how quickly a particular method will work for your dog. The small, deliberately selected group also cannot represent every trainer.
Give your dog a clear way to succeed
For everyday training, begin with one behavior you can recognize and reward. If your dog jumps when you arrive home, decide whether you want four paws on the floor or a sit. Have a reward ready, mark the moment that behavior happens with a cheerful word, and deliver the reward promptly. Practice when the room is calm before expecting the same response around guests. If your dog cannot respond, make the task easier: increase distance from the distraction, shorten the session, or practice a simpler step. A missed cue is information about the setup, not proof that your dog is being stubborn. Rewards can include food, play, or access to something your dog enjoys. Notice which one actually holds your dog’s interest. Give your dog appropriate outlets for normal behavior, too, such as chances to sniff on walks or work through a food puzzle. Enrichment does not replace teaching a skill, but it gives you more opportunities to notice and reward useful choices.
Ask specific questions before hiring a trainer
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends reward-based training and advises owners to examine both a trainer’s methods and education. Before booking, describe your goal and ask: What will a typical session look like? How will you teach the behavior we want? What will you do if my dog struggles? Which tools do you use? A clear answer should tell you what your dog will practice and what you will learn to do between sessions. Watch a class or training video if possible. Look for rewards, manageable exercises, and a trainer who adjusts the task when a dog is having difficulty. Be cautious about promises of an instant fix or plans built around prong collars, shock collars, leash jerks, or intimidation. A credential or years of experience can inform your choice, but neither replaces a direct conversation about methods.
Judge progress by what your dog can do
Choose a small, observable goal for the coming week: perhaps walking a few steps beside you in a quiet area or turning toward you when you say your dog’s name at home. Note where you practiced, what distracted your dog, and what they managed to do. That record makes it easier to adjust the exercise and gives a trainer something useful to work with if you need help. Stay present during lessons and speak up if a technique makes you uncomfortable or your dog appears overwhelmed. You can ask for a different approach or choose another trainer. Good training should leave you with a skill you can practice together, one achievable step at a time.
Keep exploring this topic
We've selected a relevant resource if you'd like to go further.
Explore a practical dog-training resource →Some links may lead to external products or affiliate resources. Results are not guaranteed.