|
Posted by: Amy S on 2010-01-08, 05:48:53
I hope you will reconsider correction based training for your dogs, especially your fear aggressive dog Sasha.Trainers that use corrections, or punishments such as shock collars, prongs, choke chains and even leash jerking dogs to stop behaviors are outdated and fail to recognize these techniques can make fearful dogs more anxious and fearful. They may work temporarily by intimidating your dog and/ or hurting your dog to subdue behaviors, but can and often make fearful dogs worse. I don't know what your dog is fearful of, lets assume Sasha is fearful of seeing other dogs. Forcing your dog to get too close to another dog and then shocking your dog when it reacts by lunging or snarling, barking does nothing to change your dogs mind about seeing other dogs. It can make it worse because now the dogs is being hurt or intimidated when it see's another dog. Understand if your dog is reactive to seeing other dogs, it is just trying to get this scary dog away from it. Introducing pain and intimidation won't change your dogs opinion of what scares it. If you can find trainers who use positive reinforcement methods, they will show you methods to change your dogs mind about what it now finds scary. They may pair high value food treats with seeing another dog, at a distance that your dog is not yet reactive, thereby forming an association between the food treat and the other dog. Dog trainers call this a conditioned emotional response. Your dog likes chicken, its getting chicken when it see's another dog, your dog starts to slowly form an association between the chicken coming out whenever it see's another dog. Your dog begins to like to see other dogs. This is a kinder, more respectful way of training and it also strengthens the bond you have with your dogs. Basic obedience is also easily taught using positive methods. I hope you will reconsider. Amy |
