The Truth about Dogs Repository

A curated, evidence-led repository on humane, force-free dog training — peer-reviewed studies, official positions, and expert voices, with sources you can check.

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Peer-reviewed2009

Confrontational training techniques are linked to aggressive responses in pet dogs

Herron, Shofer & Reisner surveyed owners of dogs with behaviour problems and found a substantial proportion of dogs responded aggressively to confrontational training techniques.

Confrontational methods applied by dog owners before their pets were presented for a behaviour consultation were associated with aggressive responses.

Source details

Source

The use of aversive-based methods elicits aggressive responses in dogs

Herron, Shofer & Reisner

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

Evidence level

Primary evidence

Credibility

Last reviewed

May 30, 2026

Why we included it

A core safety-side reference: a real-world look at what tends to happen when ordinary owners use confrontational techniques.

AggressionWelfare