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It has become commonplace in many current circles of the dog industry to utilize force
and compulsion, the choke chain, the pinch collar, and electric collars. These are not
only typically recommended by a majority of veterinarians, but also by most training
facilities throughout the country. You can walk into almost any dog facility of any sort
and find these devices openly displayed, having them subsequently recommended to
you because they are believed essential in order to teach your dog to heel, sit, down,
etc.
 Advocates of this process simply do not truly understand the process in its entirety.
They are taught that the use of these devices brings about their desired result(s) with
the dog quickly. While I personally disagree with this statement that I have heard
many times throughout my professional career, let's say for one moment that it is
true. That by using force and compulsion, you obtain the desired results quicker.
What most people do not realize is that with all of the yanking of the chain or pinch
collar and shocking from the electric collar, the dog actually begins to work out of fear
of reprisal. This sentiment stands even for those who claim to understand and know
how to “properly” use these devices. People may think they understand this process.
A dog definitely does not.
Possibly, some people have made the decision to use these devices because they
feel the presence of all of this hardware makes them (not necessarily the dog) look
good, official, or important, thereby not exhibiting the trait of being “even”. You know,
the “my dog has to wear this because he is so tough”, or because he is so unruly.
How about the ones who use the excuse that “my dog can't be trusted”, or “my dog is
handler aggressive”? It is not at all uncommon for those who choose to use these
devices end up with dogs that are ultimately either overly-submissive and confused,
or unpredictable and callused.
What, exactly, are we exhibiting to the dog by utilizing such tools of force and
compulsion? To truly grasp the premise of this chapter, we must first  understand that
the dog is a pack animal, one dependant upon others within the pack, and how the
hierarchy of such pack dictates desired or undesired behavior. This was discussed in
the chapter five, Domestication of the K9, as well as in chapter seven, Pack
Structure. In this pack setting, many behaviors may be witnessed, regardless the
individual's place on the hierarchy scale.
It is important to note that at no time will one canine aggressively raise a paw or front
leg to strike another, even during an exhibition of juvenile fighting, (not to be
confused with the dog's use of his forelegs placed upon an adversary to steady
himself during a fight, or in an attempt to push away an aggressor when rolled on his
back). This raising of the paw will be exhibited, regardless of age, by the canine in
such manner to initiate play or interaction, to continue the current game, or to initiate
a new one. This is an activity of Societal Interaction. We imitate this activity when we
are petting the dog; an exhibition of approval on our part of the dog's performance or
obedience, or consoling the dog while expressing our affection for the animal.
We must also understand that the canine, though possessing a limited ability of
reasoning, cannot run long lines of reasoning. Since a raised paw is never
interpreted as neither an aggressive nor corrective measure within the pack setting,
and the dog has come to know us and our families as the adjusted pack, the canine
simply can not truly comprehend the idea of being struck by us, because it is simply
not an integral activity within the canine societal structure.
While some may believe striking the dog with either an open or closed hand is
corrective in nature to the dog, our hitting the dog actually creates an environment of
confusion and conflict. In the canine's perception, he has just experienced a violent
act, one that has brought pain upon his body, and the handler has caused this pain.
However, he cannot truly make the correlation of corrective action as we perceive it,
since this is not a natural activity or mannerism within the pack environment. The dog
may eventually begin to cower, and though this may even be the desired result of the
handler, this cowering posture is primarily out of confusion stemming from not
understanding the pain that now stems from an activity that is supposed to be
pleasing (petting with the hand), and from the conflict of why the handler (Alpha) has
just taken the number one, most meaningful reward and turned it against him.
Now that we understand why the dog cannot understand being struck as a form of correction, let's add additional tools of force and compulsion.
If one person were to place a corrective device such as a choke-chain or pinch collar
upon another, and while we would quickly rush to classify this as cruel and inhumane
treatment, the recipient of such device understands and can comprehend not only
who has placed the device on them, but also why. This person also understands as
well the subsequent corrective measures which may come about through the use of
these devices as a result of exhibiting undesired behavior, even though they may be
unaware at the time of what those specific undesired behaviors may be. The person
quickly becomes thoroughly aware that they have absolutely no physical control as to
whether the device may actually be used or not, nor to what extent the device may be
used. However, they also begin to grasp an understanding of acceptable or desired
behaviors as defined by the other human being, as well as the preferred level of
exhibition of these behaviors which prevents or delays the use of the aforementioned
devices.
Once such devices are actually employed, the recipient clearly understands the
corrective measures as a result of many factors.  Most notably; human beings are
pugilistic by nature. A species which engages in corrective measures and/or combat
by the use of their limbs in an effort to apply force and/or pain to either an adversary
or subordinate in order to effect a change in the subject's behavior. From this, we
understand correction and aggression stemming from the use of the hand(s) of
another, as well as aggressively confronting an adversary by the use of our hands is
a trait and behavior we as humans exhibit, not the dog. We accept this activity as part
of our genetic make-up, and each and every human being will exhibit this activity to
some extent or another.
Having our expanded abilities of running longer lines of reasoning, we can also
associate the previously discussed devices with being an extension of the hand; that
is to extend the ability to apply force or pain at extended distances.
At no point during the development or evolution of the Canis familiaris species has
one canine used such tools or tactics upon another. This is fact simply because the
dog possesses neither an appreciation nor understanding of aggressive or corrective
striking by the forelimbs, nor for such inanimate objects such as choke chains, pinch
collars, or electrical devices, there can be no true, complete understanding or
comprehension of the utilization of such. Without this understanding and
comprehension of these methods or devices, the canine cannot begin to comprehend
the implementation of such, specifically when such implementation results in conflict
and confusion, further preventing the dog from exhibiting the natural traits, drives,
and characteristics they were originally bred for.
I would much rather have a dog work with me out of confidence and trust derived from clear, concise communication on a level that we both understand, than a dog that will
only work for me when these devices are used, rendering a dog that simply has been
conditioned to work out of fear of reprisal. We have dealt with numerous handlers
who, once they have received the proper education, actually become quite angry at
how society not only accepts this, but also teaches that this is acceptable behavior on
our part towards the dog. We have witnessed many grown men and women shed a
tear and go apologize to their dog, now considered as their partner, for exhibiting
such behavior and utilizing such devices. This is a situation where the relationship
really begins to emerge in to a Team.
People actually hold seminars to teach us how to properly use these devices! WOW!
Wait a minute, we actually live in a society where it is socially acceptable to teach
others how to be INHUMANE to animals, to deal with them on a level they do not
understand? In my opinion, that is so wrong on so many different levels. One reason
being that society has opened more doors to allow room for more animal cruelty and
neglect to exist by allowing these products to be sold and utilized. There is no proper
way to use these devices on a level the dog can understand; therefore, it is wrong
and definitely not acceptable. There is no in-between. If society is turning to force
and compulsion as their way of communication with their chosen pet, then it is up to
those of us who actually stand with the dog to educate why this is wrong.
If the users of these devices understood what the use of these force and compulsion
tools truly represented from a psychological standpoint, they surely would not be
proud of it. By using these devices one inadvertently says, I cannot handle this dog
or my dog is unpredictable. One also may inadvertently say, I am insecure and
scared and need to be perceived as a tough. The reality of what is actually being
presented by such behavior is that the individual doesn't have a clue as to how to
deal with the dog on a level he/she can understand. Everyone who uses these
devices either fit the above criteria, or simply has not received the proper education.
Once they receive the proper education the decision to use such force and
compulsion is up to them. In my many years of training and working with animals, I
have had only one individual return to the use of the prong and electric collar. As
devastating as this was to me, I realized that the character of this particular individual
was shallow. Even though it had been proven the dog could work with excellence
without such devices through advanced service dog training evolutions, the handler
chose to continue the use of such devices.
As discussed throughout this book "Standing with the Dog K-9 Psychology in a Nutshell", establishing clear, concise, open communication
with the dog is the first level of achieving a positive relationship. Communication is a
two way avenue of exchanging thoughts, ideas, and information. If one party involved
cannot understand that communication, the relationship simply cannot be successful,
which is also why most that start off with the choke chain or pinch collar, then feel the
need to move on to the level of electric shock collars; they never achieve the desired,
lasting, dependable results. Those who say they have achieved their desired results
by utilizing such devices end up owning a dog that is unpredictable, or a dog that will
only perform what is being asked while such devices are in place.
By not communicating to the dog on a level he/she can understand, trust is never
achieved, therefore one truly misses out on reaping the rewards of working with a
solid, squared away partner that can be depended upon, without question.
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