JustTheScience

Several methodologies and training tools exist to aid in training dogs.  While several factors incorporate into the overall effectiveness of a training regiment (personality, age, consistency, etc), we will examine and summarize some recent studies that have exemplified both effective and non-effective measures.  Please note that this is not a definitive summary of all available options, nor should this replace the advice of a professional.

A 2001 study by Pongrácz et al found that it is not necessary for the dogs’ owner to be the only individual conducting the training, and that a stranger can be equally effective at training, given equal skill.¹  Furthermore, a bond between dog and trainer (even if the trainer is a stranger) can grow in as little as 3 ten minute sessions (Gàcsi et al 2001). ²  A study on different methods of training showed that there was a strong correlation between both use of rewards in training and resulting positive desired behaviors and use of punishment in training and resulting undesired negative behaviors (Hiby et al 2004). ³  Somewhat tangentially, McKinley and Young (2002) describe the Model-Rival method as a very effective training method, which rewards with positive social interaction instead of treats. ⁴ Increasing the amount of verbal communication between the trainer and the dog has been demonstrated to improve training effectiveness (Pongrácz et al 2004), while communication through physical demonstration is only effective if done in a consistent manner (Kubinyi et al 2003) (Pongrácz et al 2002). ^5 6 7  Kubinyi et al (2003) found that it took over 30 independent repetitions for a dog to learn a task through demonstration and in some cases it took over 180.  However, once it was imprinted it remained as a new behavior in the dog and proved durable. ⁸

The myriad available training tools have also been subjected to several recent studies.  Schilder and van der Borg (2003) found that dogs trained using shock collars showed more signs of “stress signals” and lower ear positions than those trained without. ⁹  However, Schalke et al (2005 and 2006) found that stress resulting from shock collars can be reduced when utilized by those with advanced experience, specifically when the animal is made to understand that it can affect whether or not it is shocked.  This particular association is difficult to cultivate, and therefore the authors suggest shock collar usage should be minimal. ^10 11  Head collars or halters have been shown to be an effective, humane and non-physiologically stressing alternative to traditional and shock collars for training purposes (Ogburn et al 1998). ¹²  Citronella spray collars that are marketed to deter barking behaviors have been shown to work in the short term but only if used intermittently (Wells 2001).¹³  Dogs tend to become accustom to these collars and the deterrent effects will diminish (Wells 2001).  Scentless spray collars have been found to be less effective (Moffat et al 2003).¹⁴¹⁵

1. Social learning in dogs: the effect of a human demonstrator on the performance of dogs in a detour task [↩]
2. Attachment behavior of adult dogs (Canis familiaris) living at rescue centers: Forming new bonds [↩]
3. Dog Training Methods: their use, effectiveness and interaction with behavior and welfare [↩]
4. The efficacy of the model–rival method when compared with operant conditioning for training domestic dogs to perform a retrieval–selection task [↩]
5. Verbal Attention Getting as a Key Factor in Social Learning Between Dog (Canis familiaris) and Human [↩]
6. Dogs (Canis familiaris) learn their owners via observation in a manipulation task [↩]
7. Interaction between individual experience and social learning in dogs [↩]
8. Social mimetic behavior and social anticipation in dogs: preliminary results [↩]
9. Training dogs with help of the shock collar: short and long term behavioural effects [↩]
10. Stress Symptoms Caused by the Use of Electric Training Collars on Dogs (Canis familiaris) in Everyday Life Situations [↩]
11. Clinical signs caused by the use of electric training collars on dogs in everyday life situations [↩]
12. Comparison of behavioral and physiological responses of dogs wearing two different types of collars [↩]
13. The effectiveness of a citronella spray collar in reducing certain forms of barking in dogs [↩]
14. The effectiveness of a citronella spray collar in reducing certain forms of barking in dogs [↩]
15. Effectiveness and Comparison of Citronella and Scentless Spray Bark Collars for the Control of Barking in a Veterinary Hospital Setting [↩]