I recently wrote an article explaining why I identify as a force-free dog trainer. Following that, I received numerous emails from readers expressing their confusion. They pointed out that many books, TV shows, and veterinarians suggest that a firm hand is necessary when training dogs. How can I claim to be a force-free trainer? To clarify my position, I need to provide a more detailed explanation. While some may find this information tedious, it is essential for a better understanding of what force-free training truly entails.
The main issue at hand is fear. When I was in school, we were taught to “respect” our teachers, but was it truly “respect” or was it fear? The concept of “respect” became quite blurry for me. I remember a math teacher who ruled with an iron fist. We faced physical punishment for not completing homework, being late, and for various misdemeanours. This teacher was a strong proponent of physical punishment. Did I respect him? No. Was I afraid of him? Yes—I did my best to avoid him during school hours.
But what does respect mean? I respect people like Professor Peter Neville, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dr. Sophia Yin, and many others. Why do I respect them? Because they strive to improve the lives of animals in a positive way, without resorting to methods that involve fear, force, or discomfort.
But how does this relate to dogs? Although a dog’s brain is smaller and less developed than ours, it shares the same basic structures. Today, scientists utilize MRI and fMRI technology to study dogs’ reactions to various stimuli, leading us to believe that dogs experience many of the same emotions as we do!
During experiments, dogs are trained to lie still while their brain activity is monitored. For instance, results from fMRI studies show that specific areas of the brain become active when a dog sees its owner. When compared with similar experiments conducted on humans, scientists find that the same areas of the brain “light up.” This suggests that many of the emotions involved are likely the same as ours.
Consequently, we now know that animals can experience a range of emotions, including joy, anger, lust, panic, and fear. Fear can be beneficial and is often necessary for a species’ safety. I agree that fear helps us stay out of trouble and can be crucial for survival. There are various reasons for fear. For instance, some dogs—and humans—fear thunder or loud noises, while others may be afraid of being alone. Additionally, some dogs—or people—develop a fear of certain individuals due to negative past experiences, such as bullying. But how does this relate to dog training?
In the beginning, I discussed my school days and my feelings toward certain teachers. Those teachers relied solely on punishment as a tool, which instilled deep fear in me. There is no reason not to believe that the same applies to dogs.
Training should be free of fear because learning occurs most effectively in such an environment. So, how can I convey this belief?
When you first recognize a feeling of fear, your amygdala—an almond-shaped structure located deep within the centre of your brain—activates immediately. This essential part of the brain plays a crucial role in processing emotions and detecting threats. In response, the amygdala sends signals to your nervous system, triggering a series of physiological reactions known as the fear response.
This response involves the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, into your dog’s bloodstream. Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, increases heart rate and blood pressure, preparing the body for a potential “fight or flight” reaction. You may notice signs of heightened alertness, rapid breathing, and increased blood flow to the muscles, all designed to help your dog respond quickly in the face of danger.
However, exposure to stress can lead to cognitive decline. Individuals may experience significant difficulties concentrating and staying focused on tasks. Additionally, there may be a marked decrease in impulse control, making it challenging to resist immediate temptations or distractions. Furthermore, stress tolerance levels may lower, resulting in heightened sensitivity to stressors and impairing one’s ability to effectively handle challenges requiring mental resilience.
Cortisol, commonly known as the “stress hormone,” helps maintain a heightened state of alertness by increasing glucose availability in your body for quick energy. This prepares you to either confront a threat or escape from it, resulting in a range of physical sensations and emotional responses that can be intense and overwhelming.
Extreme levels of fear can significantly disrupt effective learning. However, it is a misconception that fear completely blocks all forms of learning. For instance, animals that experience fear can learn valuable lessons about behaviours, such as escaping danger or displaying defensive aggression.
These learned behaviours are important because they help the animal find solutions to situations that initially caused the fearful response. For example, an animal that learns how to escape from a predator can improve its chances of survival by applying that knowledge in future encounters. If fear were to completely inhibit learning, it would lead to maladaptive traits in the wild, ultimately reducing an animal’s ability to survive and thrive in its environment.
While fear can complicate the learning process, it does not entirely prevent a dog from acquiring essential knowledge and skills. This presents a significant issue: the use of punitive training methods can evoke fear in dogs, leading to the problems mentioned above. It’s also important to note that different dogs respond in various ways.
Have you ever attended a dog training class where a dog that typically doesn’t scratch suddenly begins to do so, even while on flea treatment? Or have you noticed a dog in the middle of an exercise start sniffing the ground or running excitedly toward another person? Perhaps you’ve encountered an instructor labelling a dog as “untrainable” or “stubborn.” This negative assessment may stem from the dog experiencing fear or uncertainty in that environment.
The main issue with using punitive training methods is that, instead of learning desired behaviours, the dog may adopt strategies to avoid the trainer. For example, a dog might learn that growling or lunging can help it escape a challenging training situation. Alternatively, these methods can lead to the suppression of behaviour, similar to putting a bandage on a festering wound. A dog that appears calm to the untrained eye may actually be in a state of “learned helplessness.”
Both of these responses can create negative associations with training itself, causing the dog to refuse certain tasks and ultimately be labelled as “untrainable.” Beyond the ethical and moral considerations, these outcomes reinforce the importance of using force-free training methods. Our dogs are part of our family, and they deserve our respect.