Don’t Train Your Dogs With Prong, Choke or Shock Devices

It’s been a while and I’ve been thinking about how it’s time to get back into writing my blogs. Fatherhood has kept me busy and there are definitely a few things I’ve had on my mind!

In recent years, I’ve noticed that there’s been an influx of new (inexperienced) dog trainers and though they claim to be trainers, they are using devices like prong, shock or spray collars while training their clients dogs.

I figured this would be a great time to illustrate proper training tools.

Let’s face it – using any type of punishment based training is not the appropriate way to train your dog. These tools have no place in the dog training industry, they are so harmful that they’ve been banned in other provinces and countries.

Let me explain, correcting a dog for being fearful, aggressive or nervous doesn’t teach them to NOT react and this will likely cause that behaviour to be suppressed for a time which will in turn come back with a vengeance. Some dogs will be so conditioned to the pain that you will ALWAYS have to keep increasing the force. THAT IS SCARY! If you have a dog who has serious behavioural problems, you need to look into reward-based training with a proper behaviour modification plan.

To reiterate, these are barbaric, medieval devices and should never be used. The “trainers” that use them are not real trainers and shouldn’t ever train dogs, especially if they think it’s ok to train clients on how to use a prong collar —THERE IS NO RIGHT WAY to use them!!

Punishment based training will only suppress the behaviour, until its doesn’t anymore! Science shows the underlying effects that it can have on your dog’s physical and mental health/well-being. (I will link to a scientific article to show exactly what can/will happen.)

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animal-emotions/201904/should-dogs-be-shocked-choked-or-pronged

Sorry if this comes across as rude or offensive in any way. I’m a huge advocate for dogs and I will always educate my clients on the humane way of training a dog in a positive and enriching environment. After all, how can you not treat your dog who is a sentient being with the kindness and respect they deserve?

Your Freindly Neighboorhood Dog Trainer

https://weletthedogsout.ca/

Glen