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-reviewed2008

Punishment tracked with more behaviour problems

Large owner survey finding more undesirable behaviors in dogs exposed to more punitive methods.

Seventy-two percent of owners used some form of positive punishment.

Source details

Source

The relationship between training methods and the occurrence of behavior problems, as reported by owners, in a population of domestic dogs

Blackwell, Twells, Seawright & Casey

Journal of Veterinary Behavior

Evidence level

Primary evidence

Credibility

Last reviewed

May 30, 2026

Why we included it

Useful for rebutting claims that punishment is the straightforward route to fewer problems.

WelfareReactivityGeneral