Our stance
We train with rewards only. We reward what we want to see more of, and we shape everyday life so that unwanted behaviour doesn’t pay off in the first place. We use no pain, no intimidation and no startle stimuli. This isn’t a matter of taste: studies show that rewards work at least as well and protect your dog’s wellbeing and your relationship. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, electric and prong collars are also banned in dog training.
Sources
- Hiby, Rooney & Bradshaw 2004: reward, punishment and problem behaviour, opens in a new tab
- Cooper et al. 2014: electric collar and reward compared, opens in a new tab
- China, Mills & Cooper 2020: reward works better than an electric collar for recall, opens in a new tab
- Vieira de Castro et al. 2020: training methods and stress, opens in a new tab
- Schilder & van der Borg 2004: electric stimuli and the relationship with people, opens in a new tab
- AVSAB 2021: Humane Dog Training (position statement, in English), opens in a new tab
- Germany: Tierschutzgesetz §3, opens in a new tab
- Germany: Tierschutz-Hundeverordnung §2, opens in a new tab
- Austria: Tierschutzgesetz §5, opens in a new tab
- Switzerland: Tierschutzverordnung Art. 73 and 76, opens in a new tab