What is a potential risk of relying solely on punishment in training?

Relying solely on punishment in training can indeed lead to fear or aggression in the animal. When an animal is punished for certain behaviors, it may associate negative experiences with the trainer or the training environment. This can result in fear responses, where the animal becomes anxious or fearful of the trainer, the training situation, or even the behaviors that are being punished.

Moreover, if an animal consistently experiences punishment without a balanced approach, it may also resort to aggressive behaviors as a means of self-defense or as a reaction to the stress induced by the punishment. This adverse emotional state can hinder the learning process and negatively affect the overall relationship between the trainer and the animal. In contrast, positive reinforcement methods, which reward desired behaviors, tend to foster trust and cooperation, creating a more effective and humane training environment.