Procedure Selection
Animal behavior and training involves the intentional, purposeful application of behavioral contingencies. Trainers and consultants are responsible for ensuring learner success through a systematic approach that identifies a specific target behavior(s), the purpose or function of the behavior(s), and consequences that maintain the behavior. In this endeavor, members make choices about which procedures and strategies are appropriate, safe, effective, and ethical for training and behavior change. This statement provides guidance on these choices.
Understanding the Learner
The IAABC holds that it is an industry best practice to address an animal’s well-being in the design and implementation of training and behavior change interventions. Addressing an animal’s well-being includes assessing environment, safety, health, learning history, and present contingencies. The IAABC holds that members must always offer the learner as much choice and control as possible, while continuously evaluating the quality of choices on offer. Members ought to treat each learner or any species as an individual, possessing unique needs, abilities, and preferences. Only the learner determines what may be reinforcing or punishing. This means that members must assess multiple factors each time the learner experiences them.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement should be the primary procedure in any training or behavior change program considered. Positive reinforcement is associated with the lowest incidence of aggression, avoidance, and fear in learners. Positive reinforcement ought to be relevant, consistent, and timely. We focus on reinforcing desired behaviors, and always ask the question, "What do we want the animal to do?” Relying on punishment does not offer an answer to this question.
Positive Punishment and Use of Aversive Stimuli
The IAABC does not support the intentional use of aversive stimuli and methods, especially those that rely upon pain, fear, or intimidation. The IAABC holds that punishment-based interventions, particularly those that utilize positive punishment, are not justified. In addition, the potential effects of punishment-based interventions can include, but are not limited to, aggression, behavioral suppression, fear or anxiety, negative associations with caregivers or environments, and increased risk. The IAABC does not support the use of shock in animal behavior and training. The IAABC requires our members to avoid the purposeful application of behavioral contingencies that utilize shock.
Shock in Animal Behavior and Training
The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) adopted the shock collar addendum in June 2020 to provide support to our members on how to avoid the use of shock in training and behavior. Since the adoption of the addendum, there has never been a single instance of shock in training approved by the IAABC. As of February 2025 we have sunset the shock collar addendum. To clarify our position on shock in training is and has always been the following:
The IAABC strongly opposes the intentional use of aversive stimuli and methods, especially those that rely upon pain, fear, or intimidation. The IAABC stands against the use of shock in the intentional, purposeful application of behavioral contingencies. We require our members to refrain from utilizing shock in the application of behavioral contingencies in animal behavior and training.
The IAABC understands that the animal training and behavior industry is saturated with language that obfuscates the use of shock, presenting challenges for members and consumers alike. The IAABC understands that members may encounter clients and animals already utilizing shock. In such cases, members must work to transition clients and animals away from the use of, and mitigate the effects of, shock devices for the betterment of both animal and human lives. In such cases, members must do their best to transition clients and animals off of the use of shock devices for the betterment of both animals and human lives.