In order to add some joy to my totally deaf dog’s life I have been looking for a vibration collar with a remote control. The idea is to teach this precious dog sign language. I was disgusted to find that most training collars are electric-shock types.
Although dog trainers do not receive any degree to prove that they are any more qualified or knowledgable than you or I at training dogs, they obviously appear to some dogs owners as an authority figure and the pet’s owners don’t have the courage to disagree with things they don’t approve of.
Not only are electric collars a popular recommendation, but several pet owners have told me that so-called trainers tell them to put a choke chain and leash on their dog then lift it off of the ground to show the dog who is the boss. Imagine the damage to the dog’s throat and spine because some idiots want to be the boss.
Why do so many humans think it’s OK to abuse our four-legged animals, yet they wouldn’t consider hurting the two-legged variety? A mail-order catalog owned by two vets sells shock collars because customers want them. I would suggest that a vet who cares more about animals than profits would advise their customers that they choose not to sell shock collars or any item abusive to animals.
Fifty dogs in Germany who wore choke chains were studied until their death. When autopsies were performed, 48 had injuries to their neck, trachea, and back.
Animal lovers have the power of the consumer to change this. Don’t hire abusive dog trainers and contact all pet stores, local and online, and tell them you plan to boycott those that sell both shock collars and choke chains. Yesterday, a so-called dog trainer told me that he needs a shock collar to prevent his dog from leaving his property. I told him that I trained my dogs to do the same without abuse, so he couldn’t be much of a trainer.
This article appears in Jul 21-28, 2016.
