What Is “Humane” Dog Training?

Any procedure or training tool that causes a dog to yelp in pain, causes injury, or that mentally terrorizes a dog is unacceptable. “Humane” techniques are those that help a dog to learn something in a constructive, nonviolent way. Well-timed praise teaches the dog that a behavior should be repeated. Well-timed corrections for unwanted behavior teach the dog to avoid that behavior the next time.

Poorly timed corrections, no matter how mild, could be considered inhumane, or at least unfair. Scolding the dog hours after you find a chewed bed pillow is nothing more than random anger from the dog's point of view. He's getting yelled at for what? Sleeping there by the fireplace? Why is that bad? Should he stop sleeping?

Humane training does not destroy the trust that exists between the handler and the dog. On the other hand, an extremely harsh or brutal correction, no matter how well timed, can frighten or intimidate a dog. Although you may be successful in getting him to avoid unwanted behaviors, you will have lost his trust and confidence.

Don't be afraid to use corrections. Just be sure that when you make them they are appropriate to the dog. They should be strong enough to get the dog to stop a behavior but not to cause him to cower in fear.