Reward-Based Training Remains the Veterinary Behavior Standard in 2026

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) continues to hold that reward-based methods should be the only approach used for dog training and behavior modification, a position the organization has maintained since first publishing its formal statement on humane dog training. The group has stated that aversive methods carry welfare risks and offer no proven performance advantage over reward-based training, based on its review of the available research.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has echoed this stance, noting that reward-based approaches also tend to strengthen the human-animal bond more effectively than punishment-based methods. Veterinary behaviorists cited by AVMA have pointed to aversive tools such as shock collars, prong collars, and choke chains as carrying elevated risk of fear, anxiety, and redirected aggression.

Professional certifying bodies including the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) require adherence to humane training hierarchies as part of their credentialing standards, reflecting a broader professional consensus that has been building for over a decade.

For dog owners trying to sort out root causes before choosing a training method, tools like the Natural Behavior Decoder apply this same reward-based framework directly to specific behavior problems.

Sources: AVSAB Position Statements, American Veterinary Medical Association.