Canine Point of View

22/03/2025

New Development: International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Officially Closes the Door on Aversive Dog Training

Another domino has fallen in favor of modern, humane, and scientifically sound dog training methods.

We want to acknowledge the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) for officially moving beyond LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) as their guiding framework and explicitly rejecting the intentional use of positive punishment.

The issue with LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) is that while it was intended to prioritize minimally intrusive, positively reinforcing methods, it still allowed trainers to justify outdated, aversive techniques, like shock collars or prong collars, as a supposed ‘last resort.’

This effectively provided cover for outdated ‘balanced’ training practices, an approach that we now clearly understand is not supported by scientific evidence. IAABC, a prominent global certifying body for behavior consultants, has now recognized this flaw and moved beyond LIMA.

Scientific evidence clearly shows aversive methods, even as a "last resort", don’t address underlying behavior causes; for example, shocking a dog who displays aggression doesn’t change their emotional response, it simply suppresses their communication.

This loophole permitted methods based in pain, fear, and intimidation, methods clearly shown by behavior science to be ineffective at addressing underlying causes of behavior and ethically indefensible.

To be clear, LIMA is not a framework endorsed by credible behavior science. In 2025, it is pseudoscientific by definition because it incorporates unsupported, aversive techniques under certain conditions. The term has become deeply problematic in professional dog training.

True scientific professionals, behavior analysts, and animal welfare experts consistently affirm that methods using aversive tools or techniques are unnecessary, ineffective long-term, and detrimental to animal welfare.

By adopting an explicitly ethical framework, IAABC has joined organizations like the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) in setting a clearer, science-based standard.

Today, only a small number of certifying organizations still explicitly allow aversive training methods or cling to the ambiguous and outdated LIMA standard.

Quick update on major certifying bodies stance on aversives:

The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) remains committed to force-free, modern methods. https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/about-us/position-statements/

International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) now explicitly rejects intentional aversive methods under their new ethical framework. https://journal.iaabcfoundation.org/iaabc-free/

Association for Professional Dog Training International (APDTI) retains the term LIMA (“Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive”), and even explicitly states that aversive methods are not justified "in lieu of other effective positive reinforcement interventions and strategies." However, their guidelines do not categorically prohibit aversive methods, leaving open the possibility of their use when trainers determine other interventions are “ineffective”. This lack of absolute clarity can lead to confusion and indicates APDTI would benefit from adopting explicitly force-free terminology. https://apdt.com/membercertificant-announcement/?highlight=LIMA

Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, Inc. (CCPDT) still permits aversive methods as a “last resort”. Their outdated position is clearly at odds with current behavioral science, leaving significant room for improvement if CCPDT aims to gain credibility as a leading certifying organization. https://www.ccpdt.org/about-us/standards-practice-code-ethics/

08/03/2025

If someone hits their partner but buys them flowers afterward, we don’t call that a “balanced” relationship.

If one partner lives under constant threat, walking on eggshells, afraid of stepping out of line, that’s not balance; it’s control through fear. It’s abuse.

There are two kinds of professional dog trainers: those who keep pain and fear as options, and those who reject violence entirely in favor of modern, humane learning principles.

Yesterday, I highlighted the stark reality behind “balanced” dog training, methods explicitly relying on pain, intimidation, or fear to achieve compliance.

Predictably, defenders rushed forward claiming, “Not all balanced trainers do that!”

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: “Not all” is the language of complicity.

Let’s be crystal clear: the phrase “not all” is inherently designed to protect oppressive systems, not individuals.

Whether it’s “not all men,” “not all cops,” or now, “not all balanced trainers,” the argument attempts to distract from systemic harm by highlighting supposed exceptions.

It ignores the crucial point that a system which allows, or even endorses, harmful behavior is itself fundamentally flawed.

With phrases like "not all men" or "not all cops," there’s at least the possibility, however naïve, of well-intentioned allies genuinely opposing systemic harm.

But "balanced" dog training is fundamentally different: by definition, it REQUIRES keeping violence towards dogs on the table.

Of course, “balanced” trainers don’t call it violence, they call it “pressure,” “correction,” “stimulation,” “discipline,” or “leadership.” All these words are just attempts to hide what’s really happening: violent coercion.

If you are a ‘professional’, it doesn’t matter how well intended you are because there’s no room for good intentions when cruelty is an explicit part of your toolbox.

When it comes to professional dog trainers who accept money from the public, yes, it is ALL “balanced” trainers who endorse cruelty to dogs even if they do not see their own actions as cruel.

“Balanced” dog training markets itself as moderate by mixing rewards with punishment. But, humane, professional dog training isn’t just about operant conditioning, it’s about understanding dogs’ emotional and psychological needs, too.

Real training considers the whole dog and their experiences, not just their behavior. And “balanced” dog training does not account for this. It can’t because violence towards dogs never promotes meaningful growth.

Modern behavioral science shows clearly that aversive methods undermine trust, disrupt learning, and sabotage emotional safety. Neuro-affirming, reward-based methods aren’t just kinder; they’re fundamentally more effective because they respect how dogs actually learn.

There’s no balance in violence and cruelty towards dogs.

“Balanced” trainers often attempt to distance themselves from “compulsion” trainers, but both keep pain and fear as acceptable options, making them equally complicit in animal cruelty.

Spreading awareness about this topic helps immensely. Boycott “professional balanced trainers” who promote violence against the public’s dogs. Refuse to fund cruelty, and choose trainers committed to compassion, science, and respect.

True liberation, whether for animals or humans, requires clear boundaries. There is no ethical middle ground when it comes to brutality and cruelty under the guise of dog training.

Compassion isn’t radical, it’s the bare minimum. The future of dog training is in your hands.

100% of behavioral science organizations around the world or against these violent methods. A list of them along with scientific sources: https://www.zakgeorge.com/general-5

07/03/2025

Wallace LOVES frisbee. In fact, he loves it so much that if I don’t toss it again within 3 seconds, he starts barking at me, loudly and relentlessly, as if to say, “Hey! Throw it! Now!” (Video included in the comments👇)

And you know what? That’s totally normal.

Dogs bark because barking is their way of talking to us. It’s how they tell us they’re excited, anxious, impatient, worried, or happy.

Wallace isn’t barking because he’s being difficult; he’s barking because he’s figured out an easy shortcut: Bark, and frisbee flies. Problem solved…for him.

The truth is, barking is often reinforced unintentionally by us humans. Every time Wallace barked and I immediately threw the frisbee, I taught him a simple lesson: “Want the frisbee? Bark louder.”

It’s a human thing, too: barking dogs stress us out, and we instinctively want them quiet immediately. So we give in, tossing the toy, opening the door, giving them attention.

Momentarily, it feels like peace, and that quick relief becomes reinforcing…for us.

Professional trainers (and even everyday dog guardians) sometimes mistakenly believe barking can be stopped by yelling louder or by applying quick fixes like shock collars.

These strategies may deliver short-term silence, but at a real cost: stress, fear, and damaged trust.

The better, and kinder, answer is to pause and reflect: What’s my dog actually saying? If barking is communication, what message am I reinforcing?

In Wallace’s case, it’s simple: he’s learned “bark = frisbee.” I want to change that conversation without yelling, without punishing, and without causing him anxiety.

The goal is to teach Wallace patience and clarity instead of confusion and frustration.

Here’s the takeaway: You don’t stop barking by shutting your dog down, you stop it by understanding why it happens in the first place, then thoughtfully adjusting your own behavior.

In a future post, I’ll dive deeper into exactly HOW we’re teaching Wallace to communicate clearly and calmly without resorting to punishment or harsh methods.

06/03/2025

08/06/2024

VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION HERE!! PLEASE SHARE!!

29/04/2024

29/04/2024

If you wouldn't do it to a friend, don't do it to a dog: How kids should NOT interact with dogs, by Dr. Sophia Yin.

[pdf available from the Liam J. Perk Foundation website: http://www.liamjperkfoundation.org/_assets/downloads/HowNotToInteract.pdf]

13/04/2024

In the demanding field of dog training, where patience, passion, and persistence are critical for achieving success, there is a frequently neglected factor that can greatly impact the enjoyment and effectiveness of our p...

03/04/2024

I've been teaching this for years.

Which rewards do you use in each situation?

Read more: https://bit.ly/3TVSXKU

21/03/2024

The Smooth Fox Terrier, called the 'gentleman of the terrier world,' is a lively, gregarious terrier with a devil-may-care attitude, originally developed for Britain's traditional foxhunts.

Why do you love the breed?

20/03/2024

I've been saying it for years!

One activity that all Germans shepherds can do is go sniffing. While this might seem like a no brainer, it’s an often-overlooked outlet to burn off mental and physical energy.If you’ve spent any time around German shepherds, you know they love to sniff and excel at scent work. While all dogs can...