Understanding the Effects of Punishment on Dog Behaviour
When a dog misbehaves — whether it's barking, lunging, or growling — it's natural for owners to feel frustrated. In these moments, many turn to punishment, hoping to “correct” the behaviour quickly. But while punishment may seem effective in the short term, it often masks the real problem, suppresses important warning signals, and increases the risk of behavioural escalation.
As a veterinary behaviourist, I often see dogs who have stopped barking or growling — not because they’ve learned better coping strategies, but because they’ve learned it's unsafe to express themselves at all.
Punishment: What It Is and Why It Fails
In behavioural science, positive punishment refers to the act of adding an unpleasant consequence after a behaviour, such as yelling, leash jerks, or shock collars. The goal is to reduce the frequency of the behaviour. And in some cases, it does — at least temporarily.
But here’s the problem: punishment suppresses behaviour without addressing its cause. Your dog might stop barking, growling, or pulling on the lead, but they haven’t learned what to do instead. More importantly, they haven’t learned to feel differently. They’re still anxious, still afraid, still aroused — they’ve just learned to stay silent about it.
This can be dangerous. For example, a dog who has been punished for growling may stop giving warning signs altogether, and the next time they feel threatened, they might bite without warning. What looks like “improvement” is actually a loss of communication, and the underlying emotional state remains unresolved.
The Emotional and Physiological Cost of Punishment
The use of aversive methods — like alpha rolls, shouting, choke chains, or e-collars — has been linked to increased stress behaviours in dogs. Scientific studies and clinical observations report elevated cortisol levels, avoidance, increased reactivity, and even shutdown behaviours associated with learned helplessness.
Punishment doesn’t just confuse dogs — it can also erode the trust they have in their guardian. Over time, dogs may start avoiding people altogether or become hypervigilant, unsure of when the next correction will come. This chronic stress state doesn't teach better behaviour; it inhibits learning and increases the risk of future behavioural problems.
In fearful or anxious dogs, punishment can be especially harmful. These dogs aren't being stubborn — they're trying to survive situations that feel threatening. Punishing fear only deepens it.
What Actually Works: Reinforcement, Clarity, and Safety
To truly change behaviour, we need to focus on helping the dog understand what we do want — and make it worth their while. This is where positive reinforcement comes in. When a dog is rewarded for calm, cooperative behaviour, that behaviour becomes more likely to occur again.
Instead of punishing a dog for jumping, we can reward them for sitting. Instead of scolding a growl, we can give them space and help them feel safer next time. Instead of yanking a lead, we can teach loose leash walking through consistency and clear feedback.
This approach not only promotes learning — it protects the emotional wellbeing of the dog. It fosters trust, reduces anxiety, and helps the dog develop better coping skills. And for the guardian, it builds a stronger, more connected relationship with their pet.
When Suppression Leads to Escalation
One of the most dangerous consequences of punishment is that it teaches dogs to stop signalling. A growl, for example, is a dog’s way of saying “I’m uncomfortable.” If we punish that growl, we remove a critical safety cue. The dog may still feel threatened the next time — but this time, they skip the warning and go straight to a bite.
Suppressing behaviour doesn’t resolve the emotional experience driving it. On the contrary, it increases internal stress while reducing the outward signs that would otherwise help us intervene early.
It’s not uncommon for owners to say, “The aggression came out of nowhere.” But often, the warning signs were punished away months earlier.
What Veterinary Behaviourists Recommend
As behaviour professionals with medical training, veterinary behaviourists take a holistic approach. We look at behaviour as a form of communication — not defiance. Every reaction, every bark, every growl is rooted in something: pain, fear, frustration, overexcitement, or confusion.
We don’t rely on punishment. Instead, we evaluate the emotional context, identify triggers, and build a plan based on trust, safety, and long-term behavioural change. Where needed, we also work alongside your vet to explore any medical factors contributing to the issue.
Final Thoughts: Behaviour Isn’t Bad — It’s Information
Your dog isn’t trying to dominate you or embarrass you. They’re trying to cope with their environment the best they can, given what they’ve learned. Punishment may silence their voice — but it doesn’t teach them how to feel better, act differently, or trust more deeply.
Real behaviour change begins with compassion, clarity, and consistency. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone — help is available.
📩 Ready to Help Your Dog Feel Better?
If your dog is struggling with anxiety, reactivity, or unwanted behaviours — and you're unsure what to do — I can help. At The Online Vet Behaviourist, I offer remote consultations across the UK, designed to support your dog’s emotional and behavioural wellbeing without fear or force.
🔗 Book a behaviour consultation
📧 info@theonlinevetbehaviourist.co.uk
