Ethical Training with K9 STARS

At K9 STARS we use ethical training methods to ensure animal welfare is our number one priority. We only ever use positive and force free methods, equipment and training aids.

How Dogs Learn

Dogs (and all animals, including humans) learn by consequences, if they do something that is followed by something pleasant, they are more likely to do it again and if they do something that is followed by something unpleasant, they are less likely to do it again.

Not only is it more ethical to use pleasant consequences when training, but science has also proven that reward based training gives better results...

A Pleasant Consequence (Reward Based Training)

At K9 STARS, we train by adding something pleasant (a reward) when your dog does something you like. This means that your dog is more likely to repeat that behaviour again. This method of training has been shown to improve your dog’s relationship with you, overall happiness, playfulness, long term learning memory (long lasting effects) and motivation.

Examples of rewards can include:

• Desirable food (hot dogs, cheese, chicken).
• Enjoyable activity (a game of tug).
• A special toy (one that comes out on very special occasions).

A reward is not to be confused with a bribe. A bribe is offered before a behaviour occurs to encourage the dog to do what you want. A reward is payment for good behaviour after it occurs.

With practice and correct timing, reward-based training can even alter the way your dog thinks and re-wire their brain, so that they associate the behaviour with really good feelings (this type of psychology is also used in human medicine!).

A question I get asked a lot is "will I always need to use treats" - the answer is no you won't, but we will always continue to reward good behaviour. 

An Unpleasant Consequence (Aversive Training)

At K9 STARS we do not use any unpleasant consequences to make a behaviour less likely to happen again. 

Why not? ...because when using an unpleasant consequence to stop your dog doing something you do not like, your dog has no information about what it is that you actually want them to do. This can lead to frustration, fear or anxiety.

Aversive methods have been shown to cause stress to dogs, jeopardise their physical and mental health and compromise their welfare. Whilst aversive methods can sometimes result in apparent "quick fixes", they rarely have long lasting effects. These methods will also affect your relationship with your dog, in a bad way.

Examples of training methods/techniques that give an unpleasant consequence (and therefore are not used at K9 STARS) include:

• Aversive collars (e.g. prong or spike collars, check/choke chains, half-check/choke chains, e-collars, anti-bark collars, spray collars, hanging collars).
• Aversive equipment (e.g. tightening harnesses, pressure halters / halti).
• Slip leads (there are specific circumstances in which we permit the use of slip leads e.g. for additional safety when transporting rescue dogs. However, the lead must be loose at all times and the lead must have a blocker to prevent it from tightening further than a fixed collar would).
• Cloth or mesh muzzle, or any muzzle that restricts breathing and/or panting (only safe basket muzzles should be used when necessary).
• Pet Correctors, Dog Stop or similar devices (e.g. pressurised air, citronella).
• Home-made device emitting a loud noise (e.g. rattle/shaker cans or bottles containing stones).
• Training discs, or any similar training item designed to startle and interrupt.
• Electric shock, or high frequency sound or buzzing devices which apply an aversive stimulus such as pain or startle.
• Spray bottles (e.g. water or citronella).
• Strong olfactory repellent substances (e.g. smelling salts, bite back, chilli, pepper, lemon).
• Shouting, growling or making a confrontational noise (e.g. tshh).
• Pinching of ears, feet, toes or any other part of a dog’s body.
• Hitting, prodding, jabbing or kneeing a dog.
• Pushing a dog so they are off-balance.
• Pinning a dog down in an ‘alpha roll’.
• The throwing of keys, chains, sticks or any other items.
• Punitive physical contact of any kind causing discomfort, distress and/or pain, as well as intimidation or coercion or any action that causes fear.

What to do instead: If your dog is doing something you do not like, then ask yourself "what would you rather they do instead?" and train for the wanted behaviour using reward-based training (for example, if they are jumping up, then train a sit - your dog will soon learn that a sit gets a reward and so is better than jumping up). Another option is to train the behaviour you do not want to a cue... and then never cue it!

Balanced Training

Balanced training is where the handler will use a mixture of reward based training and aversive methods. At K9 STARS, we do not use or promote the use of balanced training methods for the same reasons as to why we do not use aversive methods.

As an example of balanced training we can use a scenario of a child trying to calculate a maths problem in school. When they get the answer wrong, their teacher might yell at them or, years ago, they would get the cane! When the child finally gets the right answer, the teacher rewards them (smiley face or gold star). The teacher has used both aversive and reward based methods to teach the child how calculate the correct answer. In dog training, this is known as a balanced training method.

However, with reward based training, if the child gets the calculation wrong, instead of punishing, the teacher would break the calculation down into smaller steps, praising them at each step they get correct. When they finally get to the correct answer, the teacher would reward them (smiley face or gold star!).

If you were this child, which method would you prefer? Which method would:

1. Make you enjoy maths more?
2. Make you like your teacher more?
3. Give you confidence?
4. Improve your mental health?

Training with us

We understand that everyone wants the best for their dog and conflicting information from different sources can be confusing. But it doesn't matter what breed of dog you have or how bad your problems are, reward-based, force-free methods are the most effective training methods you can use.

If you are currently using, or have been told to use, any of the aversive equipment listed above or are currently using a balanced training method and would like to discuss kinder alternatives, please get in touch. We can arrange an informal chat, we are are non-judgemental and we will support you in finding a more effective way of training to improve the quality of life, not only for you, but for your dog as well.

Science-Led Training

At K9 STARS we work to the Animal Training and Behaviour Council (ABTC) code of conduct and the Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT) code of conduct. Our training methods adhere to the LIFE model (Least Inhibitive and Functionally Effective) and promote meaningful choices, identify behavioural functions and maximise training success. We only use science-led, compassionate and nonpunitive methods in our training.  K9 STARS was founded by Dr Gina Eagle, a Scientist, who is passionate about translating evidence-based research into dog training to help improve the lives of dogs and their Guardians. To see what we can offer you and your dog click here.

References

1. Thorndike. EL (1898) The Psychological Review: Monograph Supplements, 2(4), i–109. Animal intelligence: An experimental study of the associative processes in animals.
2. Skinner. BF (1953) Science and Human Behavior, P59.
3. Mitsunari. A, et al (2011) Current Biology, 21(7) p557–562. Reward improves long-term retention of a motor memory through induction of offline memory gains.
4. Salamone. JD et al (2012) Neuron, 76:3, p470-485. The Mysterious Motivational Functions of Mesolimbic Dopamine.
5. Rooney. NJ and Cowan. S (2011) Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 132:3-4, p169-177. Training methods and owner-dog interactions: Links with dog behaviour and learning ability
6. Horwitz. DF and Mills. DS (2018) BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine 2nd Edition, p52
7. Case. LP (2018) Dog Smart, p141
8. Castro. ACV et al (2020) PLoS ONE, 15(12): e0225023. Does training method matter? Evidence for the negative impact of aversive-based methods on companion dog welfare.
9. Ziv. G (2017) Journal of Veterinary Behaviour, v19, p50-60. The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs - A review.
10. Todd. Z (2018) Journal of Veterinary Behavior, v25, p28-34. Barriers to the adoption of humane dog training methods.
11. Professional Association of Canine Trainers (PACT) Code of Conduct (2025) - www.pact-dogs.com/conduct.
12. ABTC Code of Professional Conduct for Practitioners of Animal Training And Behaviour Therapy (2025) - www.abtc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ABTC-Code-of-Conduct-January-2025-2.pdf.
13. Fernadez. EJ (2024) Journal of Veterinary Behavior, v71, p63-68. The least inhibitive, functionally effective (LIFE) model: A new framework for ethical animal training practices.