Published in Risk Analysis, the 2019 study by Emma J. Williams and
The survey-based research revealed that two psychological components are key: owners’ belief in the effectiveness of positive reinforcement and their self-efficacy—the confidence that they can apply these techniques successfully. Both were significant predictors of both current behavior and future intentions to use such training methods.
Despite widespread acknowledgment of positive reinforcement as humane and effective, many owners are still influenced by factors like emotional stress, perceived social norms, and entrenched beliefs. The study highlights the importance of not only educating dog owners on the benefits of reinforcement-based training but also building their practical confidence in applying these methods under stressful circumstances.
To promote safer, more effective behavior management, the authors suggest that future interventions should focus on empowering owners—providing them with practical tools, emotional support, and scenario-based training to build competence across a variety of situations.
Source: Williams, E. J., & Blackwell, E. (2019). Managing the Risk of Aggressive Dog Behavior: Investigating the Influence of Owner Threat and Efficacy Perceptions. Risk Analysis, 39. https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13274
