Punishment

The UC Davis Clinical Animal Behavior Service has adopted the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's position on the use and misuse of punishment for animals. The position is that punishment (e.g. choke chains, pinch collars, and electronic collars) should not be used as a first-line or early-use treatment for behavior problems. This is due to the potential adverse effects which include but are not limited to: inhibition of learning, increased fear-related and aggressive behaviors, and injury to animals and people interacting with animals.

AVSAB Position Statement
The Use of Punishment for Behavior Modification in Animals (pdf file)