I witnessed someone using a shock collar today. I was modified. Why would anyone allow this to be done to their dog? This poor puppy looked like he was in so much pain. He's lips were convulsing and he was crying.
I was at the dog park today with Bailey. I saw two guys around the age of 20 and a woman, who looked like 15 walking with an australian shepard. I was so excited for Bailey to get the chance to play with another herding dog. The woman is walking the dog towards the park. The dog starts lunging towards the dog park and then all of sudden it just starts acting funny. Jumping and biting the leash, lips convulsing and softly crying. My friend says "she has a remote. oh my God. I think he's wearing a shock collar." I felt so bad for this dog. They kept walking back and forth passed the dog park. Every time the dog exhibited poor leash behavior, the woman would shock him or yank his leash and say "no." From the way she was talking to the guys, I got the impression that they hired her to train their dog. I also overheard that the dog was only 8 months old. My friends and I kept talking loudly about how horrible shock collars are and how we would never hire a trainer that uses shock collars and etc. They walked back and forth for about 10 minutes and then left. Not once did she use positive reinforcement. So sadthis poor dog is probably going to be afraid of the leash now. All she's doing is making this pup associated walking with being shocked.
When I started looking into different places to take Kai'a for training, classes and puppy socialization I stumbled on a School called "Sit Means Sit". I thought that it was local and watched a few of the videos that they had posted online. Most of their dogs were larger ones, lots of Pits and Rotts, and they all seemed to be extremely well behaved, super trained I called it. They had tons of “testimonials” from clients and also the backing our the local K9 unit in town.
They had also been featured on our local News Stations a few times. I was intrigued. I was so interested that even though it was out of the way, I made the trip to their main location (they train at their facility, in local parks and in private homes) to watch class. I was a little taken aback by the heavy-handed approach I saw and had already decided not to go with them, but as I was leaving I walked through their "store" ... and I saw more Shock Collars than anything else. I never knew there were so many kinds. And almost everything else they sold was based on "pain" control.
I spoke with the director who came out to greet me as see what I thought of the class. He told me that using devices like a shock collar was really the only way to deal with most animals - that they learn and respond from pain (in the wild they are hurt by pack members as a way to educate them). He then took me into a class where they were using them and I watched for all of 2 minutes before I had to leave the room. He followed me out and continued to explain that if you start puppies when they are young (with the shock collar) you will never have problems, and that it is the only way to train older rescue animals. Now, I am not a animal behaviorist, (or a trainer by any means) but I have always felt that a praise and reward system worked better that a punishment/fear/pain based one. Not to mention I can't stand to harm my dogs in anyway. I just can’t do it.
After looking into this company, I found that they are nationwide (franchise available). And they completely advocate the use or shock collars as part of normal training. Needless to say, I will NOT being working with them. I will not judge another for the steps they take, as I am not in their shoes, but I can't see how inflicting that kind of pain (and yes, it really is pain although they play if off as a mildly discomforting feeling) on any animal is going to help that pet to trust you to lead it or train it. It might fear you and do what you ask based on not wanting to he hurt, but personally, I want Kai'a to want to please me and for that alone to make her happy .... and maybe some yummy treats.
, so you need to go back to find out 