SPCA supports the use of low-stress, force-free training methods and equipment that apply reward-based learning and effectively accomplish the training objective without causing distress or pain to the animal.

Reward-based training methods foster the human animal bond. Rewards may include food, petting, play, environmental rewards, and praise, based on an individual animal’s preferences and motivation, with food typically the most preferred reward.

Companion animals should be taught the skills they will need to live with humans, such as being left alone temporarily, appropriate toileting, impulse control, and recall. Inappropriate training may cause animals to develop problem behaviours.

SPCA opposes the use of training methods or devices that cause animals to experience pain, fear, or distress.

Our organisation opposes use of aversive training techniques or equipment that are likely to cause pain, fear or distress. This includes various types of electronic, ultrasonic, and citronella spray training aids, noise makers, spray bottles, pinch and prong collars, and choke chains. Aversive training or control techniques directly and deliberately apply unpleasant stimulus to the animal to stop or prevent unwanted behaviour.

Extensive research shows that training animals using punishment is associated with an increased likelihood of aggression from the animal towards people and other animals. The use of punishment as a training method is also linked to an increased incidence of problematic behaviours and is detrimental to the human-animal bond.

Physical punishment is ineffective for training animals with serious behavioural problems, such as aggression. While use of physical punishment can be effective at temporarily suppressing behaviours, it does not address the underlying cause of the behaviour and may contribute to escalation of the behaviour.