Intro
The Studies
Summaries
Studies and Expert Opinions
Real Life Application
Where to Find Help Training Your Dog
Tips on Finding a Dog Trainer
Free Dog Training Videos
Podcasts
Books
Intro
This is a collection of studies on how forceful/dominance-based techniques and tools such as shock and prong collars affect dogs both psychologically and physically, and dog training resources about how to train without them. I’ve also included some letter to the editor type articles that have been published in scientific journals because 1. they cite other articles you may find useful and 2. expert recommendations are important. I am in no way involved in any of these articles. These are all things that anyone can go and find on the internet. I’ve just gathered them all into one place for the sake of convenience. I will also put some links to where you can more easily find someone who is qualified to help you in training your dog, and where you can find summaries of the research which are easier to understand.
I am no tech expert, but If one of the links here is no longer working or you’re having trouble opening or finding one of the PDFs, you can send an email to forcefreememesandinfo@gmail.com and I’ll try to help you in any way I can. You can also message me at @forcefreememesandinfo on Instagram.
Please feel free to message/email me if there’s a relevant study or resource you think should be added.
For the studies which I could not find for free online, I will just put the doi.
Sci-hub is a thing that exists. I’m not saying use it. I’m not saying don’t use it. I’m just saying it exists.
This document will continue to be added to as new research comes out and/or I am made aware of more research. Feel free to share this with anyone you like.
The Studies
Summaries
Many of us aren’t trained in reading studies, which can make it hard to understand what a study really means and how it applies to real life. Here are some places where you can find expert summaries and explanations of the research and what it tells us.
Dog Training Science Resources - Companion Animal Psychology
All About Dogs - Companion Animal Psychology
Fallout from Use of Aversives - Eileen And Dogs
Behavior Science Archives - Eileen And Dogs
The Science Dog – By Linda P. Case
Position Statements - The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Reisner Veterinary Behavior Services, LLC
Dominance in dogs; bad habit or useful construct? - Dog Science Explained
No, Your Dog Doesn't Think You're the "Alpha" - Scishow
What are the most effective dog training methods? -Dog Science Explained
Shock Collar Training; Fair, Effective, Safe? - Dog Science Explained
The Science of Dog Training Blog
Studies and some expert opinions
Here I am simply gathering every study I find on the topic. I’m not putting all the good studies here, I’m just putting all the studies. Knowing which is which is really an assessment that can only be made by someone with the proper educational background. I guess that’s why they say “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” Enjoy immersing yourself in the research and going down countless rabbit holes. Just don’t think you’re an expert because you’ve read a couple studies.
Does training method matter? Evidence for the negative impact of aversive-based methods on companion dog welfare
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0225023
Efficacy of dog training with and without remote electronic collars vs. a focus on positive reinforcement
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00508/full
Back Study by Anders Hallgren
https://banshockcollars.ca/pdf/back_problems.pdf
The relationship between training methods and the occurrence of behavior problems, as reported by owners, in a population of domestic dogs
Canine collars: an investigation of collar type and the forces applied to a simulated neck model
Human directed aggression in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): Occurrence in different contexts and risk factors
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2013.12.003
The Welfare Consequences and Efficacy of Training Pet Dogs with Remote Electronic Training Collars in Comparison to Reward Based Training
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0102722
Dog training methods: their use, effectiveness and interaction with behaviour and welfare
Do aversive-based training methods actually compromise dog welfare? A literature review
Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors
Pressure and force on the canine neck when exercised using a collar and leash
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2019.100082
The use of electronic collars for training domestic dogs: estimated prevalence, reasons and risk factors for use, and owner perceived success as compared to other training methods
https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1746-6148-8-93
Studies to assess the effect of pet training aids, specifically remote static pulse systems, on the welfare of domestic dogs
http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/id/eprint/14566/
Carrots versus sticks: The relationship between training methods and dog-owner attachment
Effects of 2 training methods on stress-related behaviors of the dog (Canis familiaris) and on the dog–owner relationship
Training methods of military dog handlers and their effects on the team's performances
Electronic training devices: discussion on the pros and cons of their use in dogs as a basis for the position statement of the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology (ESVCE). Journal of Veterinary Behavior
Can Aggression in Dogs Be Elicited Through the Use of Electronic Pet Containment Systems?
Clinical signs caused by the use of electric training collars on dogs in everyday life situations
Pathologies of the dog associated with the use of choke chains
https://banshockcollars.ca/pdf/Choke_collars_study.pdf
Effects of the application of neck pressure by a collar or harness on intraocular pressure in dogs
http://1stsat.cynod.com/CollarsandEyeIssues.pdf
Comparison of stress and learning effects of three different training methods: electronic training collar, pinch collar, and quitting signal.
Environmental factors associated with success rates of Australian stock herding dogs
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0104457
Escape rates and biting histories of dogs confined to their owner's property through the use of various containment methods
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.250.3.297
The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs—A review
Behavioural changes and aversive conditioning in hunting dogs by the second-year confrontation with domestic sheep
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0168-1591(00)00203-3
Differential diagnosis and management of human-directed aggression in dogs
Questionnaire survey on the use of different e-collar types in France in everyday life with a view to providing recommendations for possible future regulations
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2018.05.004
Training methods and owner–dog interactions: Links with dog behaviour and learning ability
Training dogs with help of the shock collar: short and long term behavioural effects
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2003.10.004
Review of dog training methods: welfare, learning ability, and current standards
The use of shock collars and their impact on the welfare of dogs: A review of the current literature
Obedience training effects on search dog performance
https://vdocuments.net/obedience-training-effects-on-search-dog-performance.html
Electronic Training Devices: A Review of Current Literature
Electronic shock collars: are they worth the risks?
http://www.dogexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Electroinic-collars.pdf
Dog- and owner-related risk factors for consideration of euthanasia or rehoming before a referral behavioral consultation and for euthanizing or rehoming the dog after the consultation
Beware the misdirection offense: the truth about shock, aversives and punishment
Open letter to canine research scientists
https://banshockcollars.ca/pdf/Letter-to-Research-Scientists-2-3.pdf
Considerations for shock and ‘training’ collars: concerns from and for the working dog community
https://banshockcollars.ca/pdf/Karen_Overall_Journal_of_Veterinary_Behavior.pdf
Why electric shock is not behavior modification
Response to Overall
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2007.09.006
Real life application
Where to find help in training your dog
*Please note: I do not necessarily endorse every person who is a member of any organization on this list. Nor can anyone guarantee that every trainer you find through these sources will be a good one; you still need to thoroughly investigate any trainer you find through these before letting them work with you and your dog. These are simply sources through which you will probably be more likely to find a good trainer than if you just did a simple internet search for “dog trainers near me” or something like that.*
American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - AVSAB
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Certification for professional dog trainers and behavior consultants
Trainieren statt dominieren - Startseite
International Canine Behaviourists
International School for Canine Psychology & Behaviour
Force Free Trainers of Wisconsin
Alberta Force Free Alliance | Alberta Force Free Alliance
Delta Institute: Home | Australia
The Pet Professional Guild Australia
UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter: Homepage
Tips on finding a dog trainer
https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2016/12/how-to-choose-dog-trainer.html
Free dog training videos
*not a substitute for professional help*
Urban Dawgs - Positive, Reward-Based Dog Training
Dog's World Walking (Kelsey Edwards)
Instinct Dog Behavior & Training
Ok, but how? - youdonthaveto.org
Podcasts
*not a substitute for professional help*
The Dog Training Audio Experience
K9 Aptitude
Bravo Dog Knowledge
Disorderly Dogs
Animal Training Academy
Dog Talk with Nick Benger
The Dog Real Talk
Drinking from the Toilet
The Healthy Dog Pod
The Naughty Dog Podcast
Learning About Dogs with Kay Laurence
Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast
Teach Me About Doggies
Barks from the Bookshelf
Canine Conversations
Cog Dog Radio
Pawsome University
School for the Dogs
The Bitey End of the Dog
Equi Theory
The Willing Equine
Books
*not a substitute for professional help*
Youdonthaveto.org recommended books