284 - The Seduction Of Punishment In Animal Training
Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Christopher Pachel joins the podcast to discuss the contentious debate over punishment in animal training. On this week's episode of the Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Dr. Pachel dive into the controversy surrounding positive reinforcement versus aversive methods. Dr. Pachel breaks down the science behind training techniques, discussing the immediacy, consistency, and efficacy of animal training and why balanced training might not be the best approach. They explore the psychological impacts on pets and the real-world application of these methods. This episode is packed with insights and practical advice for anyone involved in animal training. Let's get into it!
LINKS Dr. Chris Pachel: www.drpachel.com Instinct Dog Behavior & Training: https://www.instinctdogtraining.com
ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Chris Pachel is a board-certified veterinary behaviorist and is the owner and lead clinician at the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Pachel lectures extensively worldwide, teaches courses at multiple veterinary schools in the United States, and has authored numerous articles and book chapters for veterinarians and pet owners. He is a sought-after expert witness for legal cases and serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for dvm360. He is also a Vice-president of Veterinary Behavior for Instinct Dog Behavior and Training, as well as co-owner of Instinct Portland, which opened in the fall of 2020.
Mentioned in this episode:
Sign up for the Early Career Newsletter here!
Uncharted Practice Manager's Summit
Last Chance to Register is June 1st 2026 - Tell your managers! Registration is only $199 and they can save 20% with code MANAGER
Register for the Practice Manager's Summit here!
Learn more about Simparica Trio here!
Office Hours w/ Dr. Andy Roark
Inside the Uncharted Veterinary Community, Dr. Andy Roark hosts Office Hours where veterinary leaders can bring real-world challenges and get practical guidance from someone who understands the realities of practice life. These sessions give veterinarians, practice managers, and team leaders a chance to ask questions, workshop difficult situations, and gain perspective on issues like team dynamics, communication, burnout, and clinic operations. Instead of navigating leadership challenges alone, members get direct access to Andy’s insight along with the support of a community of veterinary professionals working through many of the same challenges.
