There is a tremendous difference between disciplining your pet and abusing it. However, depending on the person, punishment can either be discipline or it can be abusive when done by inconsiderate and uncompassionate people.
Our pets do need to be trained, and usually, a positive reward system works much better than discipline or punishment, just like it works better with children. Even praising your pet for good actions is better than scolding them for bad ones.
Take housebreaking as an example.
Many dogs who are scolded or punished for weting on the floor simply become more devious about the action; but they do not stop doing it.
A much better plan is that when they go to the bathroom outside (where you want them to go) then, you praise them repeatedly, every time they go in the correct place.
Soon, whenever they go outside, they will hurry to go to the bathroom, just so that they can hear that happy reward praise.
Since they have then gone outside, they are far less likely to go in the house again.
