Is It Time for a Shock Collar?

A person who chooses to use a shock collar for a pet should consider getting another one for him/herself and or one's spouse. Go ahead, try it - you can zap them if they yell at you or leave their socks on the floor. Really, if you're going to expose one member of the family to one, why not the rest? Maybe the kids next?

I was mortified to learn that people actually use electrical shock to control their animals. Oh, the marketers and those who buy into the idea say, "It's just a small shock, only a deterrent! It keeps the dog from running in the road or getting poisoned by a disgruntled neighbor tired of being awakened by barking. It doesn't hurt the dog, we would never hurt our pet!"

Baloney!

You wear a shock collar all day - give the control to one of your kids, your spouse, boss, employees, perhaps your ex - and see what you think afterwards.

A better, happier world doesn't have to be confined to the human population. In fact, I'll warrant that by choosing a better, happier path for your pets, the environment, any part of the world around us - especially the living who cannot speak for themselves - makes the world a better place for you.

Perhaps you have a dog that bites or becomes vicious. I can understand trying everything to ensure that the dog does no harm. No shock collar is going to stop a powerful dog when it gets into a red zone, fixated on attacking.

1. Invest in a one-on-one session with a good, reputable trainer. Even one hour will pay for itself throughout the dog's lifetime. I know. I've done it.
2. Get formal obedience training. Keep in mind that it's the humans who need the training on how to handle the dog and teach it desirable behaviors. The dog is going to behave as a result of the manner by which you train it. Think about it. The same dog, if it could be raised by two people simultaneously, could turn out to be a vicious biter in one environment and a cuddly marshmallow in another. It's the people, not the pet.
3. Watch It's Me or the Dog, and learn more about Victoria Stilwell's techniques. She's a genius, and she provides to you FREE the benefit of her TV show (from which I've learned the most) podcasts, and some advice on her website. Even if you were to spend money to purchase one of her Books
   or DVD's of her show
4. I am a huge fan of Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer). He has a heck of a life story
   that is well worth reading, too.
   Before you adopt his methods, however, be fully aware that even the television show recommends that the some of his techniques not be used without a qualified professional involved, if at all. Cesar uses a dominant approach that requires incredible knowledge about dog and breed psychology, seemingly uncanny awareness: the ability to read the direction a dog's mind will or could take far in advance, advanced martial arts level anger and anxiety control, plus unquestionable confidence and experience in all of the above. I recommend using Cesar's advice about walking and exercising your pet, etc., but based on experience, I do not recommend that you attempt to make a dog submit using the "hand bite" technique, for example. If you err here and read a frightened dog as aggressive, you can do damage to yourself and the dog. If you want to use Cesar's techniques, either connect directly with Cesar or find a trainer he personally recommends.

Have a Happy Dog, and help make the world a happier place!