I used to use physical punishment on my dog

We all need to be honest and frank when it comes to dog training.

You probably know by reading my posts that I am a positive reinforcement trainer.

I use kind and effective methods and have strong moral and ethical beliefs when it comes to working with dogs, or any animal.

BUT

I wasn’t always this way.

Being of the mature generation :) I learned all about……

the use of slip leads, and how to give a quick jerk and release.
To hold the lead upwards and press on my dog's rear to teach a sit.
Teaching a “down” by applying pressure to the shoulders
How to use training discs, bottles with stones in.
How to teach my dog a sit stay by keeping him in the sit by holding the lead high, and jerking whenever he went to move.
Even teaching him to hold something, by tapping under his chin every time it looked as If he would drop it

And more :(

Am I proud of how I used to train ?

No, when I read this I felt really guilty and ashamed :(

At the time that was all we knew. There weren't many studies done back then. Praise and reward was there, and things had improved since we had Barbara Woodhouse showing you the correct way to use a choke chain.

There is scientific evidence showing just how harmful this out-dated training can be, not just for the physical harm it can cause (see an example of using a slip lead below) but the mental harm it can cause your dog.

More so how it can affect the relationship you have with your dog too.

I never felt comfortable with those methods back then, I really believed there was a different way.

What makes me sad :( Is when I still see these methods being used today :(

We see Television programmes promoting these outdated methods.

People love them :(

WHY ?

Because they see quick results, fantastic editing, and charming presenters.

Must be good because they are on the telly.

Things are changing

Positive training methods of training are now being used by

Police dog handlers.
Guide Dogs.
Search and rescue dogs.
Assistance dogs.
Competition dogs.
Gun dogs..

Studies have found that dogs were more aggressive if punished during training, found this applied to all forms of punishment not just what we think of as harsh methods,

Slapping
Hitting
Lead checking/jerk
Rolled paper/towel
Forced submission
A squirt of compressed air (aerosol pet corrector)
Electric shocks (e-collars)
Neck compression (choke chains, slip leads)
Neck pain (prong collars)
Verbal intimidation (angry voice, shouting, growling, tssst noise)
Postural intimidation (aggressive or threatening posture, staring)
Training discs
Pokes or jabs
Kicks and foot taps.

But I don’t punish my dog, all I do is correct him…………

A correction is still a mild punishment to our dogs. It isn’t about how much we hurt our dogs or make them feel uncomfortable.

Corrections can just confuse our dogs and make the learning slower.

The dog doesn’t know what to do, they don’t know what they have done is wrong.

(it's your rule book and dogs can’t read)

So your dog may become anxious, frightened in case he makes the wrong choice, because if he does, he will get corrected. How on earth does he know what you want ?

It might be a stern AHAH, or a finger wag, or even just a look of disapproval, but your dog still feels punished.

“But he knows he's being naughty, I can tell by that look he gives me”

That look is what we call appeasement, please don’t hurt me in doggy language.

Just ask yourself, do these methods stop the unwanted behaviour, does it work ?

What do you then do if the Ahah doesn’t work ? Use punishment ?

What prompted this blog ?

The fact that there are still people that call themselves dog trainers, even behaviourists out there.

Showing people a fantastic quick fix to stop all dog's unwanted behaviour.

“wow look at the difference after just an hour”

Every dog, from a puppy to an adult wearing a slip lead !!!!!

If you had a slip lead around your neck, and it is used to “correct” you, how would you feel about the person on the other end of the lead ?

You are scared of other dog's, and if you show your fear, you are “corrected” .

Does that take away the fear?

It might even, (in the scared dog's mind), be the other dog that makes the pain, discomfort happen.

How do you think they might feel if another dog approaches?

An example in human terms….

Imagine if you are learning to drive.

You didn’t have a clue, and your instructor wasn’t helping.

Every time you made the wrong choice, your instructor corrected you.

Maybe give you a slap.

This happens until you make the right choice, then you are told great well done. but you don’t know what right is, so you become worried in case you made the wrong choice and get corrected/slapped again.

I wonder how you would feel,

Maybe you would get angry and slap him back.

Maybe you would burst into tears.

Maybe you would just shut down.

What a good driving instructor would do is show you what you need to do.

Praise you when you get it right.

Let you practice for weeks, maybe months.

Then set you up to pass your test.

Please, if you see these quick fixes being offered, remember that there is usually fear, pain or discomfort involved.

It doesn’t change the emotions for the dog, and actually it can make them worse.

It stops the behaviour, but it doesn’t stop how your dog feels.

Check your trainers qualifications or experience too, it is unregulated so anyone can call themselves a dog trainer or a behaviourist.

Question to ask yourself,

Would you go to a mechanic to fix a blocked sink ?????

Categories: : Dog Behaviour, Dog Training, Puppies, Reactivity, Romanian Rescue