Best Practices for Dog & Puppy Training: Positive Reinforcement. Read More on Why to Avoid Punishment-Based Methods.

Some dog training methods promise fast results. You may see a dog stop barking after a loud correction like a sharp leash pop, a firm "No!", or even an abrupt "Bah!" sound meant to startle and shut the dog down. To the untrained eye, it can look like these techniques “work.” But what many dog owners don’t see is the long-term emotional and behavioral damage being done — damage that often surfaces months or even years later.

Lowchen Puppy Named Cricket

Suppression Isn’t the Same as Learning

When punishment is used to stop a behavior, what you’re seeing is suppression — not understanding, not learning. Dogs aren’t learning what to do instead; they’re simply being intimidated or frightened into silence. A dog may stop growling, stop barking, or stop lunging… but that doesn’t mean they feel safe. In fact, they’re often more stressed — they’ve just learned that expressing it isn’t allowed.

Over time, these dogs may no longer offer clear warnings like growling or stiffening. Instead, they skip straight to barking, snapping, or biting. These are not "bad dogs” they are dogs who have been punished for trying to communicate. The result? A dog who seems unpredictable or reactive — because they’ve been trained to suppress the early warning signs humans rely on to understand them.

Ruby the Maltipoo

A Difficult Dog to Live With

Punishment-based methods often create dogs who are less expressive, less playful, and more anxious. They may be outwardly obedient, but they lose that spark of joy and trust. Living with a dog who’s been punished into submission can feel like walking on eggshells: their behavior may seem calm, but it’s brittle — and it can break under stress.

These dogs may become sensitive to touch, fearful in new environments, or start reacting strongly to triggers that previously didn’t bother them. Owners often find themselves confused and overwhelmed, wondering why their "trained" dog is suddenly struggling again.

Behavior Modification After Trauma Is Hard

Rehabilitating dogs who’ve been trained with fear, intimidation, or physical corrections takes time, skill, and deep compassion. Behavior modification for these dogs often requires undoing the fear that’s been layered on top of their original problem. Progress is possible — but it’s slow and emotionally taxing for both the dog and human.

In many heartbreaking cases, families surrender these dogs to shelters when their behavior becomes too difficult to manage. These are often good dogs who were failed by outdated or harmful training philosophies.

Tara of Tara's School for Dogs

Why Positive Reinforcement Doesn’t Create These Issues

When you train with positive reinforcement, you’re helping your dog build confidence. You’re teaching them what to do, not just punishing them for what not to do. You preserve the dog’s ability to express their feelings, which helps you recognize and address discomfort before it becomes a bigger issue. These dogs are not just more obedient — they’re happier, more connected to their humans, and better equipped to handle life’s challenges.

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Choosing how to train your dog is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a pet owner. Fear- and punishment-based methods may offer a quick fix — but they often leave emotional scars that take years to heal. Choose positive reinforcement. Choose empathy. Your dog deserves it.