Dog training is not only shaped by practice but also by the language trainers use to describe their work. Johnson and Wynne (2022) analyzed website texts from 100 dog trainers across 10 U.S. cities to explore how word choice reflects training philosophy, gender, and certification status.
Trainers were grouped into two categories: non-aversive (positive reinforcement, avoiding tools that cause pain or discomfort) and aversive (using both reinforcement and punishment, including corrective collars). Texts were analyzed with qualitative coding software to identify language patterns tied to methodology. Aversive trainers tended to describe collars as “electronic collars” and justified their use, while non-aversive trainers referred to the same tools as “shock collars” and stated explicitly that they avoided them.
The study found significant demographic differences. Women were more likely to practice non-aversive methods than men, and positive reinforcement trainers were more likely to hold certification than aversive trainers. This raises concerns, as the overall rate of professional certification among trainers was low, highlighting a lack of formal oversight in the U.S. dog training industry.
The findings suggest that dog owners should look beyond broad claims of training expertise and pay attention to the specific words trainers use. These linguistic cues can reveal deeper philosophies and help owners choose trainers whose methods align with their values and their dogs’ welfare.
Source: Johnson, A. C., & Wynne, C. (2022). Training Dogs with Science or with Nature? An Exploration of Trainers’ Word Use, Gender, and Certification Across Dog-Training Methods. Anthrozoös, 36, 35–51.
