Researchers from the University of Porto in Portugal led a study on dog-training methods and responses. They recruited 42 dogs from training schools that use reward-based training and 50 dogs from aversion training, and the results were amazing.
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The study found that yelling at a dog actually scares them long-term, and showing them patience is a far better training method.
Dogs that were taught with leash-jerking, yelling, and other aversive-based methods were more stressed overall. They had higher levels of cortisol in their saliva, displayed stress-related behaviors and body postures, while their counter-parts with calm and gentle teachers were better at performing tasks.
![](https://images.upbeatnews.com/posts/5516/ctGaFLPBsrTM0VCh4Xv5tbZka71zlSkJQfk28yZl.jpeg)
The dogs with the aversive training were slower and less enthused at performing the same tasks. Researchers analyzed the dogs for "stress behaviors,"' too, such as lip-licking, paw-raising, yawning, and yelping. Overall, the study found that the welfare of dogs trained with negative reinforcement was deemed "at risk."