Dog Training Isn’t Just Technique; It’s a Reflection of Your Values

At Medical Mutts Service Dogs, we’ve always believed something simple: the way you train a dog matters just as much as what you teach.

Positive reinforcement isn’t just a “style” we like. It reflects a deeper belief that dogs are intelligent, emotional beings who deserve to be treated with respect.

A new scientific study published in the journal Anthrozoös (and summarized by Companion Animal Psychology) backs this up in a really interesting way. The researchers found that the training methods people choose are closely connected to their beliefs about animals and animal welfare. In other words, training isn’t just about techniques; it often reflects your values.

What the study looked at

Researchers surveyed dog owners to understand two things:

First, what kind of training methods they use in everyday life.

Second, how those owners feel about animals in general. Do they believe animals deserve strong protection and humane treatment? Do they see animals as having moral value? Or do they believe human needs should always come first?

This part is what makes the study so unique. It wasn’t just asking “Do you use treats?” It was asking, “How do your training choices connect to how you view animals overall?”

What behaviors were included?

Participants were asked about how they train common behaviors like:

• Coming when called (recall)

• Walking nicely on leash

• Not jumping on people

• Not stealing food

These are everyday training situations that almost every dog owner can relate to.

What dog training methods did people use?

The study separated training methods into categories, including:

• Positive reinforcement (treats, praise, toys)

• Positive punishment (physical corrections or verbal correction)

The results showed that most people use rewards at least sometimes, but many also use corrections as part of their training approach.

Some of the most interesting numbers reported in the article include:

• About 86% of people used treats or toys at least some of the time

• 97% used praise

• 46% reported using verbal or physical corrections sometimes

• Only about 18% used exclusively positive methods

That means the majority of dog owners aren’t training in one “pure” way. Many mix reward-based training with corrections.

The biggest takeaway: dog training choices reflect beliefs about animals

This is where the study gets really powerful.

The researchers found that people who scored higher in “animal protection” beliefs, meaning they believe animals deserve humane treatment and good welfare, were more likely to use positive reinforcement methods.

On the other hand, people who held more anthropocentric beliefs, meaning they tend to view humans as more important than animals, were more likely to use physical corrections and punishment-based approaches.

Basically, the study suggests that training style isn’t just about what someone was taught.

It’s connected to how they view dogs emotionally and morally.

Or said more simply:

If you see dogs as partners, you’re more likely to train with kindness.

If you see dogs as something that should “obey,” you may be more likely to rely on force or correction.

Why this matters so much for service dogs

At Medical Mutts, we train dogs for life-changing roles. Our dogs aren’t just learning basic manners.

They are learning how to:

• Work in busy public environments

• Stay calm under stress

• Focus around distractions

• Make smart decisions

• Build a deep bond with their handler

A service dog has to do more than obey. They need confidence, emotional stability, and trust.

That’s why we use positive reinforcement training.

When dogs learn through rewards, they aren’t just learning commands; they’re learning that humans are safe, predictable, and worth working with.

And that matters enormously when you’re asking a dog to support a person through real-life challenges.

Positive reinforcement builds the kind of dog we want

A dog trained through fear may listen in the moment, but stress and uncertainty can show up later as anxiety, avoidance, or even defensive behavior.

But a dog trained through rewards learns something very different:

“I understand what you want.”

“I feel safe.”

“I can succeed.”

“I want to work with you.”

That kind of mindset creates a stronger service dog and a stronger human-dog team.

This study reinforces what we’ve always believed

One of the most meaningful points from the Companion Animal Psychology article is that this study wasn’t just measuring training habits. It was measuring how people view the moral status of animals. That fits perfectly with the heart of our mission.

At Medical Mutts, we rescue dogs who often come from difficult backgrounds. Many have experienced instability, neglect, or trauma before they ever reach us. They don’t need harsher handling. They need structure, patience, and a reason to trust humans again.

Positive reinforcement gives them that.

What this means for dog owners

If you’ve ever wondered whether positive reinforcement is “enough,” this study is a great reminder that training is not just about controlling behavior. It’s about building a relationship.

It’s about how you choose to guide an animal who depends on you.

At Medical Mutts, we believe dogs deserve training that is humane, ethical, and effective. And this new research supports the idea that positive reinforcement isn’t just a tool, it’s part of a larger belief system that values animals as partners, not property.

Our promise at Medical Mutts

We train service dogs using positive reinforcement because it creates dogs who are:

• Confident

• Motivated

• Emotionally resilient

• Happy to work

• Deeply bonded with their handler

And because it reflects what we believe at our core:

Dogs are not machines.

They are living beings who learn best when they feel safe.

That’s why we train with kindness.

That’s why we train with science.

And that’s why we train with positive reinforcement.

Reference: Weber, T., Lund, T. B., Forkman, B., McPeake, K., Meyer, I., & Sandøe, P. (2026). Dog Owners’ Use of Training Methods and Their Ethical Stance on the Treatment of Animals. Anthrozoös, 39(1): 41–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2025.2597086