the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's positions on various aspects of dog care


Dominance Position Statement
AVSAB is concerned with the recent re-emergence of dominance theory and forcing dogs and other animals into submission as a means of preventing and correcting behavior problems

Positive Veterinary Care
Positive veterinary care strives to prevent stress, anxiety and fear.

Breed Specific Legislation
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) is concerned about the propensity of various communities’ reliance on breed-specific legislation as a tool to decrease the risk and incidence of dog bites to humans.

How to Choose a Trainer
Choosing a dog trainer can be one of the most important decisions that you make in your dog’s life. The techniques that a trainer uses can strongly affect how you interact with your dog for years to come. Therefore, it is very important to choose your trainer wisely.

AVSAB Position Statement on Humane Dog Training
From the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior: New consensus by veterinarians and doctorate level animal behaviorists makes clear recommendations on the most effective and humane methods to teach dogs routine skills and to treat problem behaviors