One of my clients emailed me wanting to know if I have seen or used the “technique” in the picture (see below) to keep [a] dog under control and if so he wanted to know what I thought about it.
He and his wife had attended a crowed art fair and saw many pet guardians using the technique on their dogs. Here was my response: “I have not seen the technique below or used it. Nothing "wrong" with the harness but I am not crazy about having the lead under the dog's belly… How uncomfortable that must be! No wonder the dog remains still (and the person can control the dog better).
The other reason why I don't like this is because even though some dogs might not mind it, others might find it quite aversive and now the dog is stressed and potentially creating negative associations with people around, other dogs or whatever is going on in the environment...
In my mind, this technique is a good example of appeal to the masses: it spreads around because people see other people doing it and because of that it sort of becomes "acceptable."
Unfortunately, not too many people take a second look and think about the implications for the dog as you are. In my book, this type of restrain is not right or appropriate. If someone needs to keep the dog closer to them as to preventing the dog from interacting with other dogs, etc. then a shorter leash - versus a six foot and holding the dog tightly is the way to go. There is always a clicker and treats (or other reinforcements) to have the dog focus on the owner and not in the environment."
After our interaction I got to thinking: why is that we are always trying to control our dogs? I get that sometimes it is necessary to do so for their own safety, safety of others or because the law requires that we do so. However, aren’t we taking this a bit too far?
As with any training technique or advice, we must get into the habit of thinking about the pros and cons of the advice or the technique; instead of just responding by inertia. As I mentioned to my client, not one size fits all.
Every dog is an individual and every situation must be assessed individually as well. Unfortunately, many a times our solution to a problem or situation, for example -restraining a dog, does not take into consideration the consequences for the animal.
I know, I know, we are all super busy, we are tired and what is worse, we have been conditioned to expect instant results with the least amount of effort.
He and his wife had attended a crowed art fair and saw many pet guardians using the technique on their dogs. Here was my response: “I have not seen the technique below or used it. Nothing "wrong" with the harness but I am not crazy about having the lead under the dog's belly… How uncomfortable that must be! No wonder the dog remains still (and the person can control the dog better).
The other reason why I don't like this is because even though some dogs might not mind it, others might find it quite aversive and now the dog is stressed and potentially creating negative associations with people around, other dogs or whatever is going on in the environment...
In my mind, this technique is a good example of appeal to the masses: it spreads around because people see other people doing it and because of that it sort of becomes "acceptable."
Unfortunately, not too many people take a second look and think about the implications for the dog as you are. In my book, this type of restrain is not right or appropriate. If someone needs to keep the dog closer to them as to preventing the dog from interacting with other dogs, etc. then a shorter leash - versus a six foot and holding the dog tightly is the way to go. There is always a clicker and treats (or other reinforcements) to have the dog focus on the owner and not in the environment."
After our interaction I got to thinking: why is that we are always trying to control our dogs? I get that sometimes it is necessary to do so for their own safety, safety of others or because the law requires that we do so. However, aren’t we taking this a bit too far?
As with any training technique or advice, we must get into the habit of thinking about the pros and cons of the advice or the technique; instead of just responding by inertia. As I mentioned to my client, not one size fits all.
Every dog is an individual and every situation must be assessed individually as well. Unfortunately, many a times our solution to a problem or situation, for example -restraining a dog, does not take into consideration the consequences for the animal.
I know, I know, we are all super busy, we are tired and what is worse, we have been conditioned to expect instant results with the least amount of effort.
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