Do confrontational dog training methods work? Is that really the point?

December 6th, 2009 by Eric Goebelbecker

Source:

A few months ago the Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science published an article titled Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors". Two of the researchers participated in the research regarding children and dog bites that I wrote about earlier, so I decided to plunk down my $31.50 and read it for myself.

Similar to the research on canine aggression directed toward children, the researchers had access to people seeking helping from a veterinary behavioral service. This time, rather than examining records, surveys were distributed to families requesting information about the methods that had been used prior to common to the veterinarian and whether they had a positive, negative, or no, effect on the dog's behavior. The survey also asked whether aggressive behavior was seen in association with the particular method. One hundred forty surveys were completed in one year's time.

In analyzing methods the researchers broke them down into four broad areas: direct confrontation, indirect confrontation, reward-based training, and neutral.

The takeaway from the research has been discussed in quite a few places already on the Internet; confrontational behavior modification techniques can result in aggressive responses from dogs. The specifics however, had some very interesting points.

Sixty of the participants reported trying to use "alpha rolls" or "dominance downs." Eighteen of them - that's 30% - said that the technique resulted in an aggressive response.
Twenty-eight of the participants reported hitting or kicking their dogs. Twelve of them reported an aggressive response. That's 43%!
Twenty-seven participants used scruff shakes or grabbed their dog's jowls. 26% reported an aggressive reaction.
Fifty-three used a "stare-down," sixteen of which (30%) reported an aggressive response.
Fifty-one used a spray bottle. Ten of them reported an aggressive response. (That's 20%).

Needless to say, some commonly used aversive methods come with a bit of risk.

Now, compare those numbers to these:

One hundred twenty-four reported using food rewards. Two reported an aggressive response.
One hundred and one reported trying increased exercise. None reported an aggressive response.
One hundred and one reported having their dog sit for all desired items and activities. Two reported an aggressive response.

As you might expect, non-confrontational methods infrequently elicit aggressive responses.

But here's the real rub: the survey also asked families about the success rates for various techniques. I don't want to regurgitate too much more of the paper, as it risks violating the publisher's rights, but here are some quick numbers:

Alpha Roll: 44% effective, 25% negative, 31% no effect
Dominance Down: 48% effective, 24% negative, 28% no effect
"Sit for everything" 85% effective, 1% negative, 14% no effect
Increased Exercise: 69% effective, 1% negative, 30% no effect

The reported 44% - 48% success rate with alpha rolls/dominance downs is rather interesting. Going from no training at all to any training, regardless of the techniques and the degree of skill and consistency, is going to lead to some improvement. Be careful when you dismiss methods that you dislike or even those that are outright inhumane: even an unprogrammed VCR is right twice a day.

Of course, this is a small sample and the observations are those of "average pet owners" but all things being equal, the word from the trenches is that non-confrontational methods are not just more effective but also less risky.

No surprise

On December 6th, 2009 davetgabby says:

interesting article Eric ,but no surprise here. And like you say, some of these aversive methods will work ,but the question remains, for how long ,and at what cost?

Definition of "work"

On December 7th, 2009 sacdogtrainer says:

The average owner seems to define a method as "working" when the dog stops the behavior. Not permanently, just in that moment (hence the popularity of the DW). Even though the owners claimed 44%-48% success with alpha rolls/dominance downs, they are still at a veterinary behaviorist seeking help, which suggests that the methods didn't work because the problem still exists.

Years ago, I had a dog that bit a jogger running past our house. I immediately "alpha rolled" him (as we were told to do back then). Well, he didn't bite that jogger again, but 5 years later, he inflicted multiple bites to another person, who required more than 50 stitches. So, did the alpha roll work? Not really!

getting to the root of the matter

On December 7th, 2009 kmutzke says:

I've been on a mission to figure out the root of all this verbal and physical abuse, be it with animals or humans. The story lines may vary to justify the use, whether it is or isn't effective, understanding the root of the issue, I believe is where change is possible.

In my quest, I came across two gems;

1-In Dr. Patricia McConnells book, "For the love of a dog" where she simplifies the root of fear, anger and I believe you can add ego which triggers chemicals in our body which if left untrained from unleashing them...people will always find ways to abuse others and think up ways to justify the abuse.

Quote from her book ... "amygdalas begin a series of biochemical changes that ready us for battle....Neurotransmitters flush through or bodies, producing a burst of energy. That rush of energy is one of the reasons we feel compelled to do something ....even when caution is the wisest choice."

2-Another gem which gives me hope, I found was in John J. Ratey's book, "A user's guide to the brain" where he states: "We are not prisoners of our genes or our environment...By viewing the brain as a muscle that can be weakened or strengthened, we can exercise our ability to determine who we become."

In the end, we are what we strengthen within ourselves.

happy-houndz.blogspot.com

cheers, kate

Better to be Nice.

On December 7th, 2009 William says:

Very good article Eric. Not only is confrontational training dubious as a long term solution but it is emotionally taxing on both parties involved; at least it should be. I was trained in the old confrontational style and fell for it because I did not know any better. I was ready to give up but thankfully someone introduced me to a more positive approach. It has changed everything about how I approach training and life in general.

William

Acme K9 Services

William Acme K9 Services

On December 7th, 2009 William says:

William Acme K9 Services

You're on to something

On December 7th, 2009 norske says:

You're on to something kmutzke. What attracts some people to more confrontational modalities does seem to be rooted in the brain, in one way or the other.

For most people, when offered the opportunity to engage in confrontational or non confrontational methods, the choice will be the non confrontational approach when assured that the results will be equal to or surpassing the confrontational approach.

Unfortunately though, many people have the need for the visceral satisfaction that confrontational methods provide. For this subset, no amount of science or statistics will sway them from their course.