What is a characteristic of positive punishment in animal training?

In the context of animal training, positive punishment refers to the addition of an unpleasant consequence following a specific behavior, which aims to decrease the likelihood of that behavior occurring again in the future. This technique relies on the principle that by introducing a negative stimulus (such as a loud noise or a squirt of water), the animal will associate the unpleasant experience with the undesired behavior and thus avoid repeating it.

This method is distinct from rewarding good behavior, reinforcing positive behavior, or solely focusing on positive experiences, all of which would align more closely with positive reinforcement strategies where desirable behaviors are encouraged rather than undesirable ones being discouraged through negative stimuli. Positive punishment, when used, must be applied carefully to avoid fear or anxiety in animals, as it can lead to adverse effects if not managed correctly.