Today, we officially launch our Be the Change campaign and service project over at Never Shock a Puppy. Each Wednesday, between Sept 1 and Oct 20, we’ll be blogging here and over there on the the topic of the week. For the big kickoff, let’s start with the big picture — the philosophy, the mindset — behind our Never Shock a Puppy efforts.
[The Never Shock a Puppy Mindset]
Simply put. It all begins with Lilly, and I cannot imagine using pain to interrupt or “punish” her behaviors … even the ones that drive me batty.
Yes, I Know … Dogs are Not People!
I understand that, and I know things can get complicated when those of us who adore our dogs beyond all measure cross over and anthropomorphize our canine friends and our relationships with them.
HOWEVER, why is it that using a shock collar on a child is prosecuted as abuse but doing so on a dog is not?
Oh, I understand that often in these child abuse cases (yes, there is more than one) feature prolonged use of the shock collars, but how is punishing a child this way or “teaching a lesson” all that different from how some people use shock collars to teach their dogs appropriate behaviors … or, as is most often the case, the punish them for inappropriate behaviors.
The Fearful Dog Bias
Indeed, the vast majority of my dog training skill and knowledge has come in the last 6 years with Lilly, who is clinically fearful (not just shy). I joke that I’ve earned my PhD in dog behavior from the University of Dogs With Issues, so I completely own that what I know about dogs and dog training and how I handle any given situation is DIRECTLY related to the fact that I have a VERY sensitive dog:
- Lilly interprets even an exasperated sigh from me as a harsh reprimand.
- Lilly will have high anxiety and even hide (for hours) if anything startles her.
- Lilly takes days to process stress hormones and recover from a fear-inducing incident, making her more reactive even to small incidents.
The 10% Rule
Dog behavior experts suggest that about 10% of dogs are naturally fearful, probably with some genetic basis. Lilly is in that 10% for sure, and certainly her deprived puppyhood (we adopted her at 6 months old, after she’d been in 2 shelters and a foster home) and early illnesses (parvo and so much more), did NOT help.
This idea makes me wonder. Is there perhaps a 10% at the top of scale? Is that where we find so called “bomb proof dogs” that would keep wagging no matter what they encounter?
If so, then we have 10% of dogs like Lilly that could easily be ruined by a shock collar (or other pain-based or intimidation-style training). And, we might also have 10% that wouldn’t be phased at all. That leaves … 80% that *might* suffer some ill effects, if someone uses a shock collar on them.
Relationships First
Because I believe that dog training is more about building a relationship than it is about instituting “control,” I just cannot imagine causing Lilly PAIN to accomplish any dog training goal.
It has taken me quite some time to build trust with Lilly, and I believe with all my heart that using a shock collar would ruin all that.
Personally, I would NOT stay in any relationship where someone physically harmed me — even just once on a while.
And, if I wouldn’t, then I don’t expect Lilly to do so either.
We’re in this together.
How You Can Help
This is just the beginning. I hope each Wednesday, during Never Shock a Puppy, you will not only visit the main site but also the blog hop hosted there. That’s where you’ll see all the other pet bloggers who are working on this campaign. Each of us brings a unique view to the issues and tasks we plan to cover in the 8-week campaign.
And, if you support our work, then I hope you will consider a donation to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley (where we adopted Lilly). During Never Shock a Puppy, we’re going to raise at least $2,500 to support their upcoming No-Choke Challenge, which will launch in November 2010 and will include all kinds of media outreach as well as events where they will give away humane dog training tools to people who turn in their choke/pinch/shock collars in Boulder, Colorado.
If for some reason you cannot see or use the donation widget below, please visit the Never Shock a Puppy Donation Site instead.
What a great initiative, Roxanne. Like the video of the guy shocking himself with a collar, I told my nephew once if he didn’t think it hurt his dog to do that, to try it on himself. He only had to put it on his leg before he threw it away.
I can’t imagine shocking a dog would do anything but create more anxiety and fear for the poor thing. It’s amazing how so many people where I live use this technique to leave their dog outside day in and day out.
Hi Roxanne. My humble contribution to the campaign is up: http://dawgbusiness.blogspot.com/2010/09/dawg-business-supports-never-shock.html
I decided to use my personal experience to make the point, hope you like it
Thanks so much, Jana, for sharing your story of fear and punishment. It brought tears to my eyes. I’ll never understand how people can condemn such treatment of children, yet think certain dog training tools or methods are OK.
Great cause Roxanne. What a damaging training technique. I’ll help spread the word.