Factors influencing owner-reported approaches to training dogs enrolled in the Generation Pup longitudinal study

Abstract

The majority of owners use rewards (e.g. treats and praise) when training their dogs. However, many additionally use aversive methods (e.g. physical reprimands, sound/spray distractions) which can compromise the welfare of dogs. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with owner-reported use of aversive training methods.A study was conducted using data provided by owners living in the UK or Republic of Ireland participating in a longitudinal study (‘Generation Pup’). Data from a registration questionnaire completed when puppies were ≤16 weeks of age, and a follow-up questionnaire completed when dogs were nine-months of age were analysed. Responses to questions about owners’ intended/actual use of different training methods at each time point were grouped into two categories. ‘Reward only’ training: positive reinforcement (PR; increasing behaviour through application of rewarding stimulus) and/or negative punishment (NP; decreasing behaviour through removal of rewarding stimulus), and’ reward and aversive’ training: >2 methods of positive punishment (PP; decreasing behaviour by application of aversive stimulus) and/or negative reinforcement (NR; increasing behaviour through removal of aversive stimulus). Associations between training approach (’reward only’ / ‘reward and aversive’) and potential owner-related risk factors were modelled using multivariable logistic regression.Data from 2154 owners at registration were collected, and a follow-up questionnaire for 9-month-old dogs were completed by 976 owners. At registration, 99.7 % of owners reported their intention to use PR and/or NP, and 84.1 % intended to use PP and/or NR. At 9 months, 99.7 % of owners reported using PR and/or NP, and 74.2 % used PP and/or NR. Data were available for 161 owners at both time points, of which 80 % reported the same training approach in both questionnaires. At 9 months, not attending training or puppy classes in the previous 2-months (Odds Ratio = 3.16, 95 % Confidence Interval = 2.18–4.59, P < 0.001), and not having dog-related employment (Odds Ratio = 2.70, 95 % Confidence Interval = 1.53–4.77, P = 0.001) were associated with increased odds of reporting a reward and aversive approach. Owners aged 55 years or more were twice as likely as those younger than 55 (Odds Ratio = 1.93, 95 % Confidence Interval = 1.29–2.87, P = 0.001), and male owners were three times as likely as female owners (Odds Ratio = 3.10, 95 % Confidence Interval = 1.52–6.36, P = 0.002) to use a reward and aversive training approach.Owners reporting a reward and aversive training approach was common within this cohort. Increased awareness of optimal training approaches for dogs is needed, especially for older, male owners, who have not accessed puppy training classes.