A comparison of canine behaviour during obedience training classes using reward or correction based training methods

This thesis is an investigation of the behaviour of dogs exposed to training classes with different training methods. The primary measure for comparison in this study was observable behaviour. Dogs exposed to different obedience-training methods behaved differently during obedience training classes. Play and vocalization occurred most often at the reward-based school and least often at the correction-based school, while drawn back ears were observed most often at the correction-based school, and least often at the reward-based school. Based upon these results, it is probable that dogs exposed to aversive contingencies experienced negative emotional states (such as stress or fear) more often. Owners in the correction-based school scored their dogs significantly less happy during classes than in "real life," and no differences were found regarding overall owner satisfaction between the schools.