Bark necklaces that spray citronella or use electric shocks are some of the most common harmful products that “work” causing pain or discomfort. Some of the most covert tools promise to keep dogs from barking through ultrasonic or high-pitched sounds that people can’t hear. These products also “work” because, while they are quiet for people, the sound is uncomfortable or even painful for dogs. Electronic or “invisible” fences “work” to keep a dog in the garden because it relies on pain to keep the dog contained. Not only is this not ideal, but they pose additional dangers, as many dogs will pass through the fence chasing a squirrel, cat or other dog. At this point, the dogs may be injured, but then they will be afraid to return to their garden, as they will be shocked or physically punished when they return home.
What science says
As we learn more about animal behavior, we now know that non-pain-based training methods make our pets happier and help them learn better.
Scientific research on dog training shows that there are risks to the use of training methods such as leash leashes (often called “corrections”), pinch necks, electronic shock collars, alpha rolls or other aversive methods.These risks include fear, anxiety, aggression and a worse relationship with the dog.And punishing a dog for doing something he doesn’t like doesn’t teach them what to do, ”advises Todd. It’s also worth noting that, beyond causing physical and emotional discomfort, punishing your dog is actually a good way to get hurt. Using tools that cause pain is like adding gasoline to the fire.
In fact, “59% of home bites come from owners trying to discipline their dogs,” said Khara Schuetzner, president of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, referring to a 2007 study on aggression of dogs.
Instead, develop a common language
Schuetzner encourages people to think of your dog as a small child who speaks a different language. For example, if the only thing that strikes the 3-year-old is doing something “naughty” and punishing the child, what are you teaching? The child learns every time you come there to do something that causes pain “If you do this with your pet, your pet will begin to associate you with pain and discomfort.”
Instead of punishing our pets, he explained, we want to develop a common language. Through positive reinforcement, you can change your pet’s behavior and help them develop positive associations with people or things they feared. Similarly, you can teach your pet how to do something to want let them do, instead not. For example, reward your cat with treats or toys to scratch a cat tree instead of the couch. If your dog gets extremely excited at the sight of other dogs, use candy to show it to your dog.
If someone promises you that buying their product will fix annoying behavior, it’s a good sign that you want it to work in the other direction. As we have said, just as human behavior cannot be changed with the turn of a switch, the same is true with pets.
Positive reinforcement is not just for “easy” pets
I often feel that pet owners, especially those who have large, baffling dogs, advocate the use of pain-causing tools because they say they tried. all now. However, the key to success is that positive reinforcement training methods do not force your pet to do a company, but help your pet understand what you want him to do, guiding him to take it. decisions you want them to make.