For dogs’ sake, please stop yelling

Researchers have found that aversive training methods, such as yelling or leash-jerking, is damaging to dogs’ mental health in the long run. — Dreamstime/TNS

Despite health experts’ warnings that raising one’s voice can increase the likelihood of spreading the coronavirus, yelling seems to have become the new norm of communication for many in this year of heightened stress and shortened tempers. But even if you’re wearing a mask and standing 1.8m away, you should never shout at your dog.

A study by researchers from Portugal’s Universidade do Porto found that aversive training methods, such as yelling or leash-jerking, can have serious long-term negative effects on dogs’ mental health. It’s a message we all should take to heart, especially since so many people have added a canine companion to their family this year.