I love my early morning walks with my dogs. They get to run, play and sniff, checking in with me regularly and we use the time to do a bit of training. It’s also my ‘pondering’ time where I am uninterrupted by the phone and like to think about things I have seen, lesson plans and life in general.
This morning, as I recalled the gruesome twosome at the end of the walk, I got to thinking about a Facebook post I had been reading a couple of weeks ago.
Most of us are members of various ‘doggy’ groups that interest us. They may be breed or type specific but they usually involve us posting various pictures of our dogs being silly, celebrating their birthdays or sadly, crossing the rainbow bridge. More often than not, people ask for advice. Sometimes the answers are good, sometimes they are bad and sometimes they are downright outrageous.
The post I am referring to is one where a lady was asking for advice about her dog, who, at the end of the walk when they got to the carpark, would run off and not want to get in the car. The lady was trying to entice her with treats. Apparently her dog would recall throughout the walk but would avoid coming back to her at the end.
There were numerous suggestions but the one that disturbed me the most simply suggested she use an electric shock collar. What?! How on EARTH is causing your dog pain by giving it an electric shock to its neck, going to make it more delighted to return you? I really had to stop myself writing a strongly worded response.
This dog quite simply needs further training. She needs to see her owner as the place where all the good stuff comes from. The end of the walk doesn’t need to mean the end of the fun. Initially, the implementation of good management to prevent this happening and then training. If the dog always comes back during the walk, put it on the lead BEFORE getting to the car park. Vary the route. Practice taking the lead on and off throughout the walk. Clearly the treats aren’t motivating enough for the dog, having fun off the lead is more rewarding. Find what DOES motivate your dog and use it to your advantage. Surely if the dog is anticipating pain at the end of the walk and doesn’t know why, isn’t it more likely to run away in fear? Would you give an electric shock to your toddler if it did something you don’t like (No answer required here!)?
The indiscriminate use of aversive equipment, particularly by those that don't know how to use it is, in my opinion, counterproductive to what we want to achieve in building a good solid bond with our dogs, one based on trust, play and fun, not one based on pain, intimidation, or fear.
If you are struggling with any element of your dog’s behaviour or training, PLEASE consult a qualified professional that uses positive reinforcement techniques, either a trainer or behaviourist. Positive reinforcement is a proven, scientific method and it really works. I couldn’t ever want to hurt my dogs and I don’t understand people that do. Have fun and enjoy your dogs folks! They deserve the best we can give them, and they give back to us in spades.
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