Kindness Wins 🐶

The Science of Dog Training

Hello and welcome back.

Today, I wanted to share some science with you. Science that backs up my own approach to dog training - a kind, ethical, positive one.

Training your dog can be a rewarding yet challenging experience. While there are many methods you can use when teaching a dog new skills - science has increasingly shown that kindness and positive reinforcement are not just humane but also incredibly effective.

One landmark study by researchers at the University of Porto in Portugal proved this point. The study observed two groups of dogs: one trained with positive reinforcement techniques such as treats and praise, and the other with aversive methods like shouting and leash jerks. The results were clear: dogs trained with positive reinforcement exhibited significantly lower stress levels.

Stress in dogs can manifest in various ways - both physically and behaviourally. High stress levels can lead to chronic anxiety and health issues, much like in humans. Ethical training methods allow your dog to learn in an environment where they feel safe and understood.

The same study even found that dogs trained with kindness are more optimistic! This trait is so beneficial, as it reflects a confident and happy dog who can respond in a more relaxed way when put in different situations. And one who will want to seek out new learning opportunities in the future!

An ethical approach to training is also pretty simple to adopt. Reinforce your dog for desirable behaviours. Use treats, play, or positive praise - depending on what your dog would most enjoy. Alongside this, be patient and consistent, and avoid using punishments. If your dog isn’t getting something right, then no doubt they’ve either not had the chance to fully understand what’s asked - or - the situation they’re being asked to do it in just isn’t working for them.

We’re sharing our lives with the best of species - dogs. Don’t they deserve nothing but the best of approaches in all areas of their life?

So, why not embrace kindness in your training, and watch your dog's optimism and learning flourish!

Until next time, happy training!

Caroline