Here’s something to puzzle over. I had the unedifying experience of someone trying to explain to me that the use of pain-giving equipment on dogs was perfectly acceptable.
“I don’t use force, I only correct,” he said blithely, going on to explain how he used choke collars, prong collars and electric shock collars (which he calls ‘remote collars’ to make them sound ok):
“I make it a positive experience for the dog,” he went on, “It’s just a way of communicating with the animal that they understand.”
😱 😱 😱 🥵
Well - where to begin?!
There’s so much wrong here that it’s hard to know where to start.
What about this question: “How can pain ever be ‘a positive experience for the dog’?”
And how about this one: “Do you beat children too, and give them electric shocks?”
I did ask those questions - and they were, naturally, unanswered. I just got more flannel about how to “use correctly” these instruments of torture. And that “positive reinforcement makes dogs nervous”. 😮
My thoughts on this “way of communicating”
“It’s just a way of communicating with the animal that they understand,” he said.
Yes, I would understand if you stuck sharp metal things into my neck and exerted pressure.
And yes, I would understand if you gave me an electric shock.
But what would I understand?
◆ I would understand that I was a victim.
◆ I would understand that apart from avoidance there was nothing I could do in the face of this barrage of pain.
◆ I would understand that you don’t like me, don’t understand me, and have no intention of learning about my feelings.
This all leads to learned helplessness, disengagement, and no learning beyond fear.
Is that how we want to live with another creature? A creature we’ve invited into our home to share our life? Is that how we treat our children, our work colleagues, our friends?
It’s true that in the very early days (long, long ago!) I tried choke chains, because that was the thing back then. But for the great majority of my life I’ve used nothing stronger than a soft collar, and usually only a properly-fitted harness.
I am happy to say that in all the many years I’ve been training dogs, I’ve never been bitten.
I’m proud of my dogs’ achievements, and even prouder of what my students have achieved. Dogs who were on the brink of being ‘rehomed’ are now loyal and much-loved companions.
“It was as if a light bulb had been turned on in my head.” - a happy client
What’s more, this way of treating the other creatures we live with spills over into better decisions at home and at work with them thar humans too!
Once you give someone - be it a child, a dog, or a spouse - a choice, you get willing engagement and active problem-solving.
And you can sleep at night.
Find out how to teach your dog without any need for punishment and nasty collars!
