By 2021, Makoto Kai’s methods were not without criticism. Proponents of force-free training (e.g., Karen Pryor Academy, IAABC) argued that leash corrections risk suppressing behavior rather than addressing emotional root causes, potentially leading to "shut down" dogs. They pointed to Japan’s own growing positive reinforcement community, including trainers like and the PD Dog School , which championed clicker training.

Makoto Kai in 2021 represented a resilient strand of traditional Japanese balanced training, standing alongside but distinct from Western "alpha" dominance methods and purely positive approaches. It offered a path for owners seeking extraordinary reliability, calmness, and off-leash freedom in Japan’s uniquely challenging urban and suburban environments. While debates over leash corrections and treatless training continue, the results—dogs that move through the world with quiet confidence and handlers who communicate with quiet authority—remain compelling. For those drawn to the disciplined elegance of a Makoto Kai-trained dog, the philosophy is clear: sincerity in action, respect in every interaction, and reality over wishful thinking.

Unlike purely positive reinforcement trainers who dominate Western discourse, Makoto Kai’s methods are best described as . The core tenets observed in their 2021 content include:

The story, primarily within the "Yaoi" genre, centers on the intense and often complex relationship between a trainer and his subject, framed through the metaphor of discipline and submission. Story Overview: Training Dog