Dog Product Sellouts?
A dilemma, have I. One of my favorite dog product companies (Premier Pet Products) recently became a subsidiary of a company (Radio Systems Corporation) that makes shock collars (PetSafe, Innotek, etc) and other products that astound me (not in a good way), like the wireless crate. [Perhaps you remember my earlier rant on that atrocious idea.]
Well, I ask you … What’s a girl like me to do when the company that makes products I love cozies up to one that makes punishment-based products I loathe?
I adore Gentle Leader, Busy Buddy Waggle, Tug-a-Jug, and even Manners Minder. (I don’t have one, but I know some of you do, and I know what a help it can be in certain dog-training situations.)
Yet, I surely oppose dog shock/startle collars — be they the sound triggered, remote controlled, or containment driven.
My gut reaction screams BOYCOTT.
And, yet, we’re told there’s the potential for newer, awesome, reward-based products to come from the partnership. That’s cool, right?
Except, I really don’t want my money going to a company that makes what I can only assume is oodles of money from punishment-based dog training tools. I cannot imagine them ever giving that up … no matter how successful or profitable any current or future reward-based dog products are.
If we believe that Premier’s current product line embodies a certain philosophy, and if we believe the same is true for RSC, then where is the common ground?
Those who argue against a boycott point out that it’s a chance to show just how successful the products we love can be. “Don’t leave them. Love them more,” they cry.
That thought has merit, for sure.
Here is where I get hung up: Let’s say the positive products do well. Let’s say more of them come to market. Let’s say the company makes good money.
Even if we find ourselves in a better dog world because of all that, I see a business decision and a business decision alone … not some philosophical change of heart.
If RSC really cared about the things we care about, then they’d already be serving our needs.
I know that Premier has taken some flack for this agreement. I’d be curious to know if RSC loyalists have also balked. Are they wading through accusations of turning into a bunch of “purely positive” wimps?
Truly, I wonder if the level of uproar reflects which side is “selling out,” at least in the court of public opinion.
This situation reminds me of my confusion, frustration, and suspicion of this planned dog training summit.
I have a hard time seeing either of these confabs as anything but capitulation by the side I previous respected and trusted.
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