You Think Your Dog is Trying to Dominate You?

Science. Studies show that while punishment (so-called dominance/pack leader training) will reduce overt undesired behaviors in the short-term, it causes a ton of long-term behavior fallout that usually results in increased risk of your dog biting you — and thus increases the risk of your dog being euthanized for behavioral issues. Science demonstrates, through peer-reviewed published studies, that using Positive Reinforcement methods (R+) works to train all behaviors, deal with all behavior issues, creates long-lasting, consistent results, and does not risk the behavior fallout that results in strained dog-human relationships. And, in fact, positive training reduces the risks of bites to familiar people and reduces the likelihood of behavior-related euthanasia.

Watch this 10-minute trailer for the full-length movie “The Case Against Dominance/Pack Theory.” It's great and filled with several of the giants of the animal behavior world.

~ certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant Jody Epstein, MS, CBCC, Nutz About Mutz head instructor, The Academy of Pet Careers