The February 2009 issue of Applied Animal Behaviour Science includes a published study titled "Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors" by Meghan E. Herron, Frances S. Shover, and Ilana R. Reisner (Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 117, Issues 1-2, pages 47-54).The study looked at techniques historically used in dealing with dog behavior problems to assess the behavioral benefits and safety risks. What they found is what positive reinforcement based trainers have been saying for years: using confrontational training techniques (including "dominance"-based techniques such as alpha rolls and scruff shakes) can lead to aggressive behavior in dogs. The use of neutral or reward-based training techniques rarely elicited aggressive behavior.
For more information:
Read the press release from the University of Pennsylvania describing the study
Read my blog posts on "dominance" in dog training and some well known trainers who use these outdated techniques:
