Over the past three years, I’ve worked with more than 400 dogs with aggression issues. Many of these dogs barked, lunged, or would have bitten people or other dogs—sometimes both, if they were especially fearful or overwhelmed. Despite the severity of these behaviours, I never use aversive training techniques. By aversive, I mean anything intended to startle, hurt, or frighten a dog into stopping an unwanted behaviour.
Some people defend the use of coercions by claiming they “save the lives” of dogs who might otherwise be euthanised. In my experience, that’s rarely true. More often, aversive techniques make aggressive dogs less predictable. You might suppress the outward behaviours temporarily—days, weeks, or even months—but the underlying problem usually resurfaces. That is because most aggressive behaviour stems from anxiety, and using fear or pain does not address the cause. It just teaches dogs that expressing fear (through barking or lunging) leads to punishment. That does not help them feel safer or more comfortable. It just silences their warning signs.
Correction or forceful approach can also create new issues. If a dog associates the punishment with a specific person or another dog, they might redirect their aggression in unpredictable ways. This can make things worse, not better.
Another common myth is that “reward-based training does not work for all dogs.” That is simply not true—and there is a large body of research to support it. Dogs learn through positive reinforcement. If it has not worked, it is often because it was not applied correctly. Addressing aggression takes more than treats; it requires skill, experience, and a solid understanding of learning theory and canine behaviour.
If a dog is not responding to well-executed reward-based training, I always recommend a thorough medical investigation. This goes beyond a standard annual check-up—it often means full bloodwork and deeper diagnostics to exclude pain or underlying medical condition.
Using punishment also damages your bond with your dog. Many reactive dogs are anxious and rely on their person as a source of safety and trust. If you begin yanking them around, blocking their view, or shouting at them, even that bond can break. Alternatively, you can help a reactive dog and strengthen your relationship using positive reinforcement methods.
What I do not offer are quick fixes. If your dog has spent years reacting with barking or lunging, rehabilitation will take time. We’ll work together over weeks or months, starting in controlled settings and gradually moving into real-life environments. There are no magic solutions—because we are not just changing behaviour, we are changing the emotional response behind it. That takes time, consistency, and teamwork. But it works—and the changes can be profound.
At the end of the day, it is really just common sense: you cannot treat anxiety—often the root of aggression—by adding more fear or pain. Punitive methods are sometimes marketed as simple “deterrents,” but they only work because they are unpleasant enough that the dog wants to avoid them. That’s not teaching; that’s intimidation.
So why choose fear and punishment, when there’s a kinder, science-based, and more effective way?