In short yes- training methods do affect your dogs behaviour.

In this lesson, we will explore the impact that training methods can have on a dog's behavior. To understand this, let's imagine sending your kids to a school where they are constantly reprimanded and all their opinions are suppressed. They are never allowed to openly question or explore new concepts. While your child might be perfectly obedient around you, they may begin to misbehave when you are not around. This is because they have not been allowed to navigate their world with curiosity and openness. This experience of suppressing their natural tendencies may lead to what you might describe as rebellious behaviour or fall out behaviours.

Dogs, like children, thrive in an environment where they can learn and grow through positive reinforcement . Reward and Fear-free training focuses on teaching and reinforcing desired behaviours without the use of physical force or intimidation. This approach helps build a strong bond between the human and the dog, based on trust and respect. Dogs trained using these methods are more confident, happy, and responsive because their emotional and physical wellbeing is prioritised. They are more likely to explore new situations and be curious rather than react fearfully or shut down.

Training methods that rely on force or fear, on the other hand, can have detrimental effects on a dog's mental health and welfare. The use of physical punishment or aversive techniques may suppress certain behaviours temporarily, but they can also lead to long-term consequences such as anxiety, fear, and aggression. Dogs trained through punishment methods may become fearful or aggressive towards the person delivering the punishment or in similar situations. This is because they associate negative experiences and pain with certain triggers. In contrast, reward and fear-free training allows dogs to learn in a safe and positive environment, reducing the risk of negative associations and unwanted behaviours.