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-reviewed2019

Training changes the relationship, not just the behaviour

Observed attachment-related differences suggesting reward-trained dogs showed a more consistent secure-base pattern.

A secure attachment tended to be more consistent in reward-based trained dogs.

Source details

Source

Carrots versus sticks: The relationship between training methods and dog-owner attachment

Vieira de Castro, Barrett, de Sousa & Olsson

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

Evidence level

Primary evidence

Credibility

Last reviewed

May 30, 2026

Why we included it

Strong for relationship-and-trust messaging in force-free education.

WelfareGeneral