What is positive reinforcement training?

And why should you care?

From Position Statement on Humane Dog Training, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior:

What techniques should be avoided in training?
An appropriate trainer should avoid any use of training tools that involve pain (choke chains, prong collars, or electronic shock collars), intimidation (squirt bottles, shaker noise cans, compressed air cans, shouting, staring, or forceful manipulation such as “alpha rolls” or “dominance downs”), physical correction techniques (leash jerking, physical force), or flooding (“exposure”). The learner must always feel safe and have the ability to “opt out” of training sessions. All efforts should be made to communicate effectively and respectfully with the learner.

Why should aversive training techniques be avoided?
The consequences and fallout from aversive training methods have been proven and are well documented. These include increased anxiety and fear-related aggression, avoidance, and learned helplessness. Animals may be less motivated to engage in training and less likely to interact with human members of the household.

The Myth of the Alpha Wolf

https://www.newyorker.com/science/elements/the-myth-of-the-alpha-wolf

From the Shelter Playgroup Alliance Statement on Sensationalist Animal “Training” on Television:

Television networks and streaming entertainment outlets continue to produce sensationalist animal training shows that are not true representations of the unhurried and careful approach that good animal training mandates. These shows feature largely self-taught individuals with no demonstrable knowledge or skill in the art and science of animal training and who employ outdated methods and dangerous concepts, including excessive punishment, dominance-based methods, behavioral flooding, and setting up the animal to engage in an undesired behavior in order to “teach them a lesson.” These types of shows highlight approaches that cause significant harm to our animal companions and the human-animal bond. Forcing an animal to encounter something it fears without escape, or behavioral flooding, is cruel and inhumane. Physically punishing an animal and using tools like shock collars, scat mats, prong collars, collar corrections, spray bottles, or physical hitting is not acceptable because of the pain and discomfort it causes and the potential for making behavioral problems worse. This puts the animals at higher risk for surrender to shelters. Film crews highlight the temporary suppression of behavioral responses which create the illusion that the animal is “rehabilitated” or “calm and submissive.” The reality is that after they turn off the cameras, the fear, anxiety, or aggression will often resurface and may be increased.