In the final week of the 2010 Never Shock a Puppy dog blog campaign, we revisit why a bunch of us banded together on this somewhat “controversial” topic as our first Be the Change effort. It boils down to this: We believe dogs deserve a pain-free future. All dogs. No matter their size, age, breed, etc.
Some Traditional Ideas Suck, There I Said It
The truth is that no matter what any of us do (or don’t do) … traditional dog training based on punishment and all kinds of false, debunked ideas about dogs and dog behavior will continue in some circles, with some people, in some homes. Having a popular TV show that spews idiocy doesn’t help, but there are plenty of regular people who cling to:
- Dog pack mentality
- Dominance theory
- Punitive dog training methods
Command This
Despite my penchant for getting caught up in word connotations, “command” never bothered me that much. Lately, however, it really grates on me.
I don’t command Lilly to do anything. Instead, I’ve worked hard to teach her acceptable behaviors and other coping strategies to help her better deal with the noisy, modern world. Then, I ASK her to do them.
I ask. I cue. I instruct.
I do NOT command crap.
Granted, a LEAVE IT earlier this week came out a bit more harshly than I intended, after she somehow found a huge piece of glazed doughnut on the side of the road and prepared to scarf it down.
BUT, 95% of the time, I’d say I’m able to ask Lilly to behave nicely without being a monster about it. And, even when she ignores my requests, I’d NEVER use electricity to make my point.
Many Thanks to the Never Shock a Puppy Coalition
I could NOT be prouder of the hard work, support, great dog training ideas, important scientific/logical/communication points, and camaraderie that arose from our Never Shock a Puppy coalition:
- Best Friends General Store
- Boulder Dog
- Calling All Dogs
- Champion of My Heart
- Fang Shui Canines
- FearfulDogs.com
- Moxie Paws
- Pet Healthcare Gazette
- Positively Well-Behaved Dog
- The Allie Chronicles
Today (October 20, 2010) also marks the 6th anniversary of the day we adopted Lilly. It’s her VERY important Gotcha Day celebration.
We’d consider any final donations a personal favor. We could sure use your help to reach our $2,500 fund-raising goal for the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, where we adopted Lilly.
Just click the donation button on the handy-dandy donation widget below or in the right-hand sidebar to get started! If for some reason you cannot see or use the donation widget below, please visit the Never Shock a Puppy Donation Site instead.
Don’t forget … we’re offering some pretty nice donation incentive gifts.
Happy Gotcha Day Lilly! Please give your mom extra loves today…she has been the perfect leader of the Never Shock A Puppy campaign.